MDMA/PTSD Flashcards
What does the current neurocircuitry model of PTSD postulate? Name the parts of the brain?
That there are exaggerated and unctrolled responses of the amygdala to trauma-specific cues, as well as deficient top-down inhibition of the amygdala by the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, orbiofrontal cortex and the hippocampus.
What is the amygdala’s function in the brain (3 pts)?
The amygdala is primarily involved in fight or flight, emotion and memory.
What is the vmPFC
The ventromedial prefrontal cortex
What is the ventromedial prefrontal cortex’s (vmPFC) function?
It is considered to play a major role in the integration of cognitive and emotional processes. This integration is important in the control of emotional reactions and responses. Several studies show that the vmPFC also plays a major role in impulse control. It is also suggested to have a top-down inhibiting effect on the amygdala’s stress response.
What does MDMA do in this context?
MDMA activates the vmPFC (emotional integration) and decreases activity of the amygdala (fear response). This is postulated to possibly reverse abnormalities related to PTSD.
What hormones and receptors does MDMA increase?
Mostly increases serotonin and the 5HT receptor (receptor serotonin binds with) and to a lesser extent boosts dopamine and norepinephrine.
What is the main theory of MDMA treatment for PTSD?
The positively-toned cognitive-emotional state, with reduced fear, facilitates a window of tolerance to revisit and reprocess traumatic material and to better encode positive emotional experiences.
What is the “optimal arousal zone” in trauma treatment?
It is important that exposure to traumatic memories should be kept in the middle of overwhelming anxiety or painful emotions that may lead to dissociation and emotional numbing on the other.
And how does MDMA work its magic here?
Widens that window, or pushes the extremes further away.
What is dissociation?
You may forget things or have gaps in your memory. You may thing the physical world isnt real or you arent real. Intensly daydream.
