Ecstasy (Yes, the Club Drug) as a Treatment for Autism?
Ecstasy (Yes, the Club Drug) as a Treatment for Autism? – A new study in the journal Biological Psychiatry suggests that MDMA—that’s the club drug, ecstasy—may be used to ‘enhance the psychotherapy of people who struggle to feel connected to others.’ For this reason, it’s suggested that the drug might be used with those who have autism, schizophrenia, or antisocial personality disorder. Researchers do note that ‘these effects have been difficult to measure objectively, and there has been limited research in humans.’ And it’s pretty hard not to look at this latest idea about treating autism with several grains of salt. The new study, Is Ecstasy an “Empathogen”?, was undertaken by University of Chicago researchers and funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. According to the lead author, Dr. Gillinder Bedi: “We found that MDMA produced friendliness, playfulness, and loving feelings, even when it was administered to people in a laboratory with little social contact. We also found that MDMA reduced volunteers’ capacity to recognize facial expressions of fear in other people, an effect that may be involved in the increased sociability said to be produced by MDMA.” The study found that the use of MDMA can make others ‘seem more attractive and friendly.’ However, MDMA can also make others seem ‘less threatening, which could increase users’ social risk-taking’—and which could, and would, one might think, pose potentially significant problems for those with psychiatric disorders or individuals on the autism spectrum, who may …
Biogen Idec to offset tax for gay staff
Filed under: drug rehab treatment ny
Amit Rakhit earns the same salary as other vice presidents leading drug development teams at the Weston-based biotech company Biogen Idec, but, because he is gay, he ends up bringing home about $ 3,000 less every year. Unlike his married heterosexual co …
Read more on Boston Globe
Trends: Ravings covered full range
Filed under: drug rehab treatment ny
Yet both eateries somehow shot to the top of the culinary zeitgeist in 2012, the year of the viral restaurant review — when the raves and rants of seasoned pros and naive octogenarians alike were given star treatment on the worldwide smorgasbord. The …
Read more on Columbus Dispatch
High or dry? Staying sober for New Year's Eve
Filed under: drug rehab treatment ny
NEW YORK — Jennifer Perry isn't much of a drinker. Never has been, yet, she's ready every New Year's Eve for the inevitable … Whether in recovery or not interested for other reasons, the holidays often mean an excess of booze and drugs. Occasional …
Read more on Post-Bulletin