SWIM has a few questions. His parents marriage is failing and he was wondering if MDMA may help them in any way. He has suggested the idea to them, and they haven't said no, just want to know more information.
First of all SWIMs mother has epilepsy. Her first concern was whether or not this would increased her risk of seizures whilst on MDMA and for the rest of her life afterwards.
Both his parents argue non-stop, and are considering a divorce. He was wondering if MDMA might help them work out a solution and stay together. Or would it just provide a 3 hour happy session and then back to normal the next day.
Sorry to hear bout swiy's parents, but I don't think MDMA is the answer. The likelihood is that it will change nothing. And a bad comedown the next day could make for alot of tension. Re the Epilepsy, I don't really know!
My parents Divorced when I was younger and I know it can be tough, but you just have to accept that if the love is gone then thats it. If they're fighting all the time then separating is probably the best solution, it may not seem that way now but in the long run everyone will be happier.
I would feel remiss in advising anyone with epilepsy do pretty much any drugs... that said, I know a certain monkey with epilepsy who has enjoyed a few rolls in his days and has never had any trouble. Caution should always be exercised, however. And it is true that mdma had quite a heyday when it was legal among psychology circles as being very effective in couples counseling. I could not say how effective it would be in this regard without a therapist present to help direct the experience in a productive direction.
All stimulant drugs lower seizure threshold, throught their excitatory effects on the CNS. MDMA is no exception.
MDMA could also (theoretically) increase risk of seizure through hyponatraemia, mediated via inhibition of the secretion of ADH (Anti Diuretic Hormone), or associated with the ingestion of inappropriately large quantities of water
I don't know mint, if they have lost touch with each other over the years then a decent roll together could do a hell of a lot for them.
Of course you are right. But I feel that, without a proper program of therapy building up to, during, and after taking the drug and without a good therapist running the program with the use of mdma as a tool in mind, the results are going to be hit and miss and could always make the situation worse.
By the sound of your original post, things have already gotten bad enough for MDMA to even be suggested as a possible option.
The stresses of being a parent can take its toll over the years and couples can easily forget why they were together in the first place.
It isn't just about the psychobabble aspect of MDMA therapy, it is also about pressing the 'reset' button on their brain chemistry and allowing them to change the state of mind they are in at the moment for something that, hopefully, will be more constructive.
SWIM has personally witnessed how MDMA can help to change a persons outlook and attitude in a positive way following a long illness and I can't see how it could be construed as a negative step to take.
But of course you're right in that, ideally, it would be so much better if they could do something like that under professional medical supervision but what is the chance of that in this day and age?
If the person is on their standard dosage of an anti-epiliptic, such as dilantin, the risk factor would not be much greater. This was observed back in the day when such therapy was being conducted legally. While MDMA (we are not talking about street pills here - pure MDMA) acts as a CNS stimulant, it's not that heavy - especially in a therapuetic setting. Read - don't take mom and dad to a rave.
There is another possibility. That's the contact high. If even dad was on MDMA, the feelings and emotions could easily migrate to the mom and serve the same purpose. Certainly worth a try. This was one of the first proven uses of MDMA in therapy - putting people back together. The protocol remains the same: Meeting to ascertain the troubles of the marriage/relationship. One dose of MDMA for both together. One back-up meeting a week later to re-inforce the rediscovered feelings. Then, if it seems appropriate - another dose to show it was real. Then leave 'em alone.
The results were truly amazing. Good luck. You sound like a wonderful son to consider this!