drugs and communication psych.

             The negative connotations that surround the issue of drug use have been perpetuated by the media and have created a very unhealthy societal fear of drugs. Improper drug use is dangerous, not the chemical compound itself. A major factor in one's drug experience is the users personality. A person with psychological problems who takes LSD will most likely have those problems magnified when under the influence of the drug. However, psychologically healthy people who are knowledgeable and prepared for the experience rarely report negative experiences when on the drug (Jenkins 168-170). The fact that each individual has a different personality makes it difficult to determine what constitutes safe drug usage. Some drugs that are currently illegal may offer benefits to many individuals, but their illegal classification makes it difficult for researchers to explore these possible benefits. The notion that all illegal drugs are unhealthy and offer no benefit to society is a very inaccurate impression. This sense of all-ness has prevented the healthy scientific experimentation and therapeutic use of one chemical that could help numerous people.
             The chemical methylene-dioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) was originally developed by the United States Army during the 1950's to be used as a truth serum (Cloud and Ratnesar 4). When ingested, the chemical often creates a euphoric feeling that promotes openness and trust. Because of these attributes, it was picked up by the psychological treatment community to be used as a tool to help patients regress and analyze past experiences. People often "block out" painful and traumatic memories. Victims of sexual abuse or violent crime often exhibit this process, also known as repression. The artificial openness and trust that MDMA facilitates can create an environment in which the patient feels "safe" enough to remember these traumas. One therapist relates his treatment u...

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