Colorado Politicos of Both Parties Support Medical Use of “Ecstasy” for Veterans with PTSD; FDA Turns Thumbs Down, At Least for Now

As first reported by Summit Daily and passed along by The Colorado Sun news outlet, several Colorado lawmakers recently joined with dozens of members of Congress to urge the federal government to carefully consider allowing a new treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder — MDMA paired with talk therapy. MDMA is short for 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, commonly known as “ecstasy” or “molly.” It is technically illegal under federal law. It has stimulant and minor psychedelic properties and has been investigated as an adjunct to psychotherapy in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Earlier in 2024, an advisory panel for the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recommended against approving use of MDMA, citing certain health risks and risk of abuse among its reasons. The FDA formally agreed (in August 2024) with that panel that use of MDMA could not be approved “based on data submitted to date.” The FDA requires an additional late-stage study, which can take years. Drugmaker Lykos Therapeutics, which sought the approval, has said it will ask the FDA to reconsider.

Interestingly, a bipartisan group of members of Congress, said to number about 80, had asked the FDA to override that advisory panel’s recommendation and still consider allowing the treatment, known as MDMA-AT. “MDMA-AT is one of the most promising and available options to provide reprieve for veterans’ endless PTSD cycle,” according to a letter composed by 19 senators to the commissioner of the FDA. According to Summit Daily, signers of this letter included Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, both Democrats of Colorado. Another letter, this one from members of the House of Representatives to President Joe Biden, urged the President and the FDA to consider the context of the advisory panel’s recommendation against the application. “It is our understanding that while these critics may be well-intentioned, their criticism is not necessarily reflective of the science, but rather their personal ideological beliefs and biases related to the medicalization of substances like MDMA,” the letter stated. Summit Daily reported the signers of this letter included Democrat representatives Joe Neguse, Brittany Pettersen, and Jason Crow, and Republican Doug Lamborn, all of Colorado.

MDMA research has been widely publicized by combat veterans. They say lack of treatment options for PTSD has led to higher rates of suicide. In July 2024 veterans rallied in support of psychedelic therapy on Capitol Hill. The leader of the letter to the FDA from U.S. representatives was Republican Rep. Jack Bergman of Michigan, a 77-year-old 3-start general. And the letter from senators read in part: “As a nation, we cannot allow our veterans to continue to suffer in silence and must identify treatments proven to drastically decrease the adverse effects of PTSD. If comprehensive evidence demonstrates that MDMA-AT is both effective and safe when administered in appropriate settings, it is our responsibility to ensure that this treatment option is made available to those who could benefit from it.” Even as it denied approval of using MDMA, for now, the FDA stated that the agency will continue to encourage “innovation for psychedelic treatments and other therapies to address medical needs.”