MDMA Trials Officially Begin for Alcoholism Treatment
Human trials will now begin on using MDMA (otherwise known as the psychoactive drug “Molly”), according to several sources. The landmark trials, which will occur at Imperial College London, will involve a few dozen participants—all of who are suffering from severe alcoholism. Patients will consume specific doses of nearly 100% pure MDMA, followed by guided meditation and therapy sessions. If the tests are a success, there are hopes that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy might become a reality for alcoholics in the US by 2021.
Synthetics Now Killing More Americans Than Prescription Opioids
A new report, published Tuesday in the journal JAMA, lays bay the shocking truth that synthetic opioids have overtaken prescription opioids as the #1 killer in America’s opioid epidemic. Researchers discovered the grim numbers by calculating the number and percentage of synthetic opioid-related overdoses between 2010 and 2016 as opposed to prescription-related overdoses during the same time. The study reveals that 46% of the 42,249 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2016 involved synthetic opioids, marking a staggering threefold increase in the number of synthetic drugs since just 2010. “It’s certainly concerning,” said Christopher Jones, director of the National Mental Health and Substance Use Policy Laboratory at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “I think that it tracks very closely with the increased availability of illicit synthetic opioids that are coming into the US.”
Baltimore Will Rate Hospitals Based on Their Opioid Responses
Baltimore’s hospitals will soon be rated on just how prepared they are to respond to local opioid crises, a US News and World Report story said. Eleven specific hospitals in the city have been selected to perform in the study—an initiative known as “Levels of Care”—the city’s health department announced on Monday. All 11 of the hospitals will be rated on a scale of one to three based on how wide-ranging a hospital’s opioid response plan is—one is the most comprehensive preparedness; three is the least. Still, many argue that while it’s not incumbent upon hospitals alone to solve the problem—they can at least lead the way. “Hospitals alone cannot end this epidemic, but it cannot be ended without them,” said Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen. “Addiction is a disease and treatment exists. Together, we will build upon the work that’s already been done and make Baltimore City a national model for treating addiction alongside every other disease. That means treating addiction in our traditional health care institutions, including hospitals.”
NBA Rolls out Powerful New PSA on Mental Wellness
Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love have teamed up for a PSA to encourage mental wellness. The 30-second spot, timed to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Month, will air widely during the NBA Playoffs. With the help of Love and DeRozan, the PSA aims to break the stigma around mental illness. The PSA is part of an even bigger initiative from NBA Cares called “Mind Health,” which also has a complementary site up and running. The initiative aims to help others get educated on how to recognize and manage stress, anxiety and depression, all the while fostering communications skills and providing support. Love and DeRozan were selected to appear in the spot given their recent public comments on mental health: Love wrote a stirring piece for The Players’ Tribune, revealing that he suffered from panic attacks, while DeRozan took to Twitter on February 17 (“This depression get the best of me…” he tweeted) and to The Toronto Star about his struggles with anxiety.