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University of B.C. researchers say the party drug ecstasy can be used to help treat patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

An international study involving researchers from UBC Okanagan has shown that MDMA, also known as ecstasy or molly, helped more than half of the study participants with PTSD see substantial improvements over conventional treatment.

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The study, published inPsychopharmacology, found 54 per cent of participants no longer met PTSD criteria after two physician-monitored sessions with MDMA and that there was also improvement in their symptoms of depression.

Zach Walsh, a UBC Okanagan associate professor of psychology and co-author of the report, says the study is the most comprehensive evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD yet.

“PTSD symptoms decreased after one session of MDMA together with psychotherapy,” said Walsh, in a UBC statement Thursday.