THE DOPE ON RESEARCH

In this occasional feature, the National Post tells you everything
you need to know about a complicated issue. Today: Terrine Friday
handles questions about the use of illicit drugs for research and
treatment of psychological disorders.

Q Which illicit drugs are used for psychological treatment?

A Psychedelic drugs, such as lys ergic acid diethylamide (LSD),
methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or "Ecstasy"), ketamine (
"special K") and psilocybin ( "magic mushrooms") have either been
examined for various psychological ailments or are being researched.
Psychedelic drug treatment supporters say traditional pharmaceutical
drugs have largely failed in treating ongoing psychological and
psychiatric ailments, whereas psychedelic drugs, in conjunction with
clinical therapy, have had positive, permanent results. They all
affect neurotransmitters in the central or peripheral nervous systems.

Q I thought marijuana and cannabis-based products were also illegal?

A They are. Although they are mind-altering, marijuana and
cannabis-based products are not used in the treatment of
psychological illness. Rather, people typically suffering with
cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis or other chronic physical pain have
been cleared to possess and/or grow small amounts of marijuana under
the federal Marihuana Medical Access Regulations.

Q So ... am I in the clear to start experimenting?

A No. These drugs are restricted under the Food and Drug Regulations.
"To undertake a clinical trial in Canada, the study sponsor is
required to submit a clinical trial application to Health Canada,"
said Ministry spokesman Gary Holub. One can apply for a drug's
temporary exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act for
research purposes only.

AnupcomingCanadiandoubleblind study, administered by the
Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, will test the
effectiveness of MDMA (Ecstasy in its raw form) in treating 12
subjects suffering from PTSD.

"The main push for many years now has been to make substances like
MDMA, LSD, psilocybin legal for therapy -- just as they were used in
the '50s and '60s with really good results," said Dr. Ingrid Pacey,
co-lead researcher for the study along with psychologist Andrew
Feldmar. Another recent study at Yale University reveals that
ketamine, used as an anti-depressant, can reduce symptoms of bipolar
disorder in less than an hour.

Q Are psychiatrists handing these drugs out like candy?

A Not exactly. Psychiatrists can only treat their patients with drugs
already approved by Health Canada. The federal government will
typically authorize research with illicit drugs only where there is
international precedent with overwhelmingly positive results. For
instance, the United States' Food and Drug Administration recently
approved use of MDMA for a study about its effectiveness on war
veterans suffering with PTSD.