A research proposal to provide information about the healing abilities of MDMA assisted psychotherapy and cannabis will be reviewed in this article. An introduction stating the problem and describing the background of the problem, the purpose and significance of the study, a preliminary summary of the research method and design, guiding research questions or hypotheses, the assumptions and limitations of the study, the operational definitions used in the study, and the expected outcomes will be discussed in this article. First, a background of the problem is presented.
Background of the Problem
This study is designed to investigate treatments for PTSD and ADHD that will better benefit those who suffer with these maladies than contemporary treatments have. The US
Veteran's Administration spent approximately 5.5 billion dollars on around 275,000 Veterans who were suffering from PTSD in 2011, and a more effective as well cheaper solution is needed (MAPS, 2011). Eggermont, et.al. (2009) report that antipsychotic medication seems to be associated with impaired executive/attentional functioning in older adults with dementia who are institutionalized. Chances are that MDMA assisted psychotherapy may be more beneficial and
less harmful for treating PTSD than antipsychotic medications. Ritalin® and ADHD will be considered next.
Methylphenidate (MPH, Ritalin®) is a psychostimulant that is extensively prescribed to children and adolescents who have been diagnosed with attention- deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (Marco, et.al., 2011). Unfortunately, concerns have been raised about the long-term safety of MPH (Marco, et.al., 2011). One study revealed that “children who received behavioral therapy had a lower rate of diagnoses of anxiety or depression (4.3%) than the children who were treated with MPH (19.1%) thus indicating a (transient)
increase in the occurrence of emotional disorders six to eight years after treatment with MPH” (Bottelier, et.al., 2014, para.8). Increased suicide risk, depression-related behavior, and heightened anxiety have also been associated with Ritalin® (Bottelier, et.al., 2014). As alarming as this dilemma is, it is even more alarming that safer alternatives are not used in order to treat ADHD. Next, the purpose of this study will be revealed.
Study Significance and Purpose
Information concerning possible treatments for PTSD and ADHD will be presented in this section. Those who suffer from PTSD are unable to escape traumatic events from their past; however, MDMA assisted phychotherapy may offer a solution for working through said traumatic events (MAPS, 2011). The synthetic compound, MDMA, has the ability to decrease defensiveness and fear by decreasing activity in the brain's area that is associated with fear while increasing empathy and trust by releasing hormones that are associated with bonding and trust (MAPS, 2011). It is easier for a patient in this state to honestly and openly discuss traumatic events that are painful; in fact, 83% of the participants in a recent study that featured MDMA assisted psychotherapy no longer qualified for the PTSD diagnosis for up to three years after treatment (MAPS, 2011). Considering the huge amount of Veterans and others who suffer with PTSD it seems logical to seek a better treatment than the currently accepted medications. ADHD and cannabis will be analyzed next.
Dr. David Bearman reports that numerous patients have relayed to him that cannabis enabled them to better concentrate and focused (Medical Marijuana 411, 2010). Dr. Bearman found hundreds of research studies on cannabis that reveal cannabis is important in retrograde inhibition which modulates the speed of neurotransmission. When there aren't enough cannabinoids neurotransmission is too rapid which results in a rapid "assault" of sensory input on the cerebral cortex that may cause difficulties in focusing (Medical Marijuana 411, 2010). Cannabis slows the impulses down a few nanoseconds so that the cerebral cortex gets a better opportunity focus (Medical Marijuana 411, 2010). It seems that hundreds of studies that explain the manner in which cannabis treats ADHD are a good indication that the study under design is warranted. Next a preliminary summary of the research method and design will be discussed.
Summary of the Research Method and Design
A multi-tiered study seems appropriate for this research design. Test results are required for patients with PTSD testing MDMA while ADHD patients test cannabis. These comparisons are quantitative in design. The research designer also wishes to perform a qualitative test in order to receive and score feed-back from prescribing doctors concerning the dilemma of seemingly overly prescribed MPH and psychiatric medications. Questions that need to be answered in the study design will be presented next.
Guiding Research Questions
The questions outlined for the Federal Regulations must be dealt with appropriately before this study can commence. They are “Have the risks to subjects been minimized using procedures that are consistent with sound research design? Are the risks reasonable in relation to anticipated benefits? Is the selection of subjects equitable? Are adequate procedures in place to ensure privacy and confidentiality? Is there a plan to monitor the data and safety of the subjects, if necessary? Will informed consent be sought and appropriately documented? Do proposed alterations or waivers of informed consent meet the criteria for approval? Are safeguards in place to protect vulnerable populations?” (Hicks, 2015, para.43). These questions are a good guideline to ensure the participants are protected as the research is performed to judge the value of cannabis and MDMA in treatment. Next the assumptions and limitations will be analyzed.
Assumptions and Limitations of the Study
There are assumptions and limitations associated with this study. The protocols for sampling may require revision as the study progresses (Capella University, n.d.). If questioning of the participants is not properly handled there is a chance that bias will get into the study (Capella University, n.d.). It is assumed that the participants will be happy to experience the treatment of their maladies with unconventional methods. Operational definitions will be discussed next.
Operational Definitions
The operational definitions are simple for this study. One control group will remain on the psychotropes while the independent study group tries MDMA assisted psychotherapy. The other control group will remain on MPH while the independent study group experiences cannabis for the treatment of ADHD. The other study group will consist of doctors filling out a coded survey on-line. Next the expected outcomes will be listed.
Expected Outcomes
This researcher proposes that the outcome will be positive evidence that demonstrates cannabis and MDMA assisted psychotherapy are more beneficial treatment that the accepts MPH and psychotropic medication. It is expected that the null hypothesis will be rejected due to evidence presented in the significance of the study.
An introduction stating the problem and describing the background of the problem, the purpose and significance of the study, a preliminary summary of the research method and design, guiding research questions or hypotheses, the assumptions and limitations of the study, the operational definitions used in the study, and the expected outcomes have been discussed in this article. The researcher wishes to uncover methods of treating people as opposed to medicating them.
References
Bottelier, M. A., Schouw, M. J., Klomp, A., Tamminga, H. H., Schrantee, A. M., Bouziane, C.,& ... Reneman, L. (2014). The effects of Psychotropic drugs On Developing brain(ePOD) study: Methods and design. BMC Psychiatry, 14doi:10.1186/
Capella University. (n.d.). What are common sampling errors? Capella University. Retrieved
from http://media.capella.edu/
Eggermont, L. P., de Vries, K., & Scherder, E. A. (2009). Psychotropic medication use and\\cognition in institutionalized older adults with mild to moderate dementia. International Psychogeriatrics, 21(2), 286-294. doi:10.1017/
Hicks, Lorna MS, CIP. (2015). The Federal Regulations - SBE. CITI Program.
Retrieved from https://
MAPS. (17 Dec, 2012). Treating PTSD with MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy: 3D Motion
Graphic. MAPS. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/
Marco, Eva M; Adriani, Walter; Ruocco, Lucia A; Canese, Rossella; Sadile, Adolfo G; andLaviola, Giovanni. (Aug, 2011). Neurobehavioral adaptations to methylphenidate: Theissue of early adolescent exposure. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. Volume 35,Issue 8, Pages 1722–1739. doi:10.1016/
Medical Marijuana 411. (2 Apr, 2010). David Bearman, M.D. Cannabis, Cannabinoids - ADD,Tourette's Syndrome, Migraines. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/
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