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Sayulita Wellness Retreat

MDMA Assisted Therapy vs Traditional Therapies

Assisted Therapy vs Traditional Therapies

MDMA-assisted therapy is a relatively new treatment approach that has the potential for the treatment of severe PTSD and other psychiatric disorders. Therefore, to understand its potential, it is necessary to compare it to commonly known forms of therapy for PTSD, including CBT and exposure therapy. We will compare the efficacy, the time needed for therapy, and the patient’s perceptions of the MDMA-assisted therapy to the above-mentioned traditional methods. So, if you are in search of a place to get MDMA therapy, then Sayulita Wellness Retreat is the best place because it possesses some of the best therapists and the best setting for the most effective MDMA therapy.

Assisted Therapy vs Traditional Therapies

Understanding the Therapies

MDMA Assisted Therapy

MDMA incorporates the utilization of 3,4 Methylenedioxy Methamphetamine with participation in the therapy sessions. MDMA, on the other hand, is taken in a clinic, usually coupled with two or four other non drug psychotherapy sessions. The substance is commonly associated with two to four other non drug psychotherapy sessions. The substance is commonly associated with improved evaluation of feelings, as well as a decrease in the level of fear and anxiety. These properties can help in the therapeutic procedure, especially for patients who have difficulties with desensitization by traditional psychology.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

CBT is a widely recognized type of psychotherapy that employs the cognitive behavioral model of functioning with regard to negative patterns of thinking and behavior. It actively participates in the management of depression, anxiety, and PTSD, among other psychiatric disorders. CBT usually involves scheduled meetings with the therapist in which the patient learns about the process of cognitive distortions and acquires more adaptive cognitive and behavioral patterns.

Exposure therapy

Another frequently applied approach is exposure therapy, which is also proposed for PTSD and other anxiety disorders. That amounts to insensitive feelings whereby the patient is slowly taken through the events they require to remember or situations that trigger their anxiety. The aim of the therapy is to decrease the amount of outrageous feelings and avoidance behaviors related to these memories and, thus, minimize their effect on the patient’s life.

Effectiveness

MDMA Therapy

Studies on the use of MDMA in therapy have indicated that it’s helpful mainly for PTSD patients. A double-blinded randomized placebo-controlled phase 3 study proves that MDMA-assisted therapy is useful. Plus, it also produced a very significant improvement in the symptoms associated with PTSD in the participants. Furthermore, some phase 2 trials pointed to the fact that MDMA-AT appears to be safe.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

CBT is a widely recognized type of psychotherapy that employs the cognitive behavioral model of functioning with regard to negative patterns of thinking and behavior. They actively participate in the management of depression, anxiety, and PTSD, among other psychiatric disorders. CBT usually involves scheduled meetings with the therapists in which the patient learns about the process of cognitive distortions and acquires more adaptive cognitive and behavioral patterns.

Exposure therapy

Another frequently applied approach is exposure therapy, which is also proposed for PTSD and other anxiety disorders. That amounts to desensitization whereby the patient is slowly taken through the events that they require to remember or situations that trigger their anxiety. The therapy aims to decrease the number of outrageous feelings and avoidance behaviors to these memories, thus minimizing their effect on the patient’s life.

Assisted Therapy vs Traditional Therapies

Duration of these therapies

MDMA Assisted Therapy

MDMA-enabled therapy is for a comparatively shorter period than other forms of psychotherapies. A patient usually undergoes several initial sessions before the actual MDMA sessions that range between two and three in number; these are normally accompanied by integration sessions that are provided in the form of psychotherapy. Potentially, the treatment can take a few months, and the patient has to attend all these sessions. The rapid onset therapeutic effects are one of the notable advantages of MDMA-assisted therapy, with significant improvements observed shortly after MDMA sessions.

Cognitive behavioral therapy

CBT tends to take longer on the average. A typical dose of CBT  could include the administration of weekly meetings for several months; however, some programs would take over a year. The course of treatment depends on the severity of the condition and the patient’s response to the treatment. Altogether, while cbT is efficient, a longer timescale is a drawback for certain patients for those who expect a faster result.

Exposure therapy

Another issue that often accompanies exposure therapy is the time that the client has to dedicate to the process. It is usually carried out in once-a-week sessions, as in CBT, for several months. One disadvantage of gradual exposure is that it is slow and can take time before one is exposed to the situation or object that is feared most; the rate at which treatment is administered is thus normally slow and dependent on the patient’s endurance during the exposure drills.

Patient experience

MDMA Assisted Therapy

MDMA-assisted therapy is associated with profound changes, and patients’ reported experiences are quite positive. The drug’s effect enables the patients to feel safe and relaxed so that they can share the events that lead to PTSD without necessarily being shocked. The patients often claim that the therapies allow them to reach new emotional insights and improve communication with their therapists and themselves. However, MDMA is a strong substance, which is why its usage should be controlled by skilled workers to eliminate risks and create a supportive environment.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

CBT is normally safe for clients but is not effective when the patient makes little or no contribution. The patient should have the desire to question and change their behavior patterns, which can be psychologically painful. Nevertheless, CBT makes many patients uncomfortable due to its autonomic tic approach and effectiveness as it offers tools for symptom control that do not require involvement. Another advantage that users highlight is model structure and focus on present problems, which can be especially suitable for those who prefer more directiveness. 

Exposure therapy

Combines with the fact that exposure therapy is generally very disturbing for the patient, as it is aimed at subjecting a person directly to the phobic object. The exposure sessions are often highly emotional, and clients may find it difficult to continue with the session as a result of dropping out. However, for those who can tolerate the discomfort, exposure therapy offers significant benefits, reducing the emotional power of traumatic memories or anxiety-provoking stimuli over time; the therapy tales a proper clinician-patient relationship and considerable patient strength.

pexels kindelmedia 7935871
pexels kindelmedia 7935871

Conclusion

Here, it is necessary to note that MDMA-assisted therapy seems to be more effective than traditional psychotherapy like CBT and exposure therapy for patients with severe PTSD. The quality of the program, the short period of treatment, and the distinction of the patients all define it. Thus, it cannot be regarded as free from risk and should be carried out under strict professional control only. CBT and exposure therapy, on the other hand, have a proven conceptual base, and the safety for their application is clear, though they require longer sessions and might not be easily appreciated by the patients. Thus, the choice of therapy should be made based on the person’s needs, personal preferences, and clinical peculiarities.