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A recent study involving survivors of the Nova music festival suggests that the drug MDMA may have played a role in protecting people from psychological trauma.
On
October 7, 2023, Hamas gunmen, carrying AK-47 assault rifles, launched an attack at the Nova Music Festival in southern Israel, close to the Gaza border.
During the incident, 360 people were killed, and many others were taken hostage at the festival, where around 3,500 attendees had gathered.
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Now, research conducted by Israeli neuroscientists indicates that several festivalgoers had taken drugs such as
MDMA and LSD at the time of the attack.
But in what way did the drug help those present cope with psychological trauma? What are the key findings of the study?
Let’s take a look:
How recreational drugs may have helped survivors cope with trauma
Neuroscientists studying festival survivors suggest that
MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy or molly, may have offered some level of psychological protection against trauma.
The preliminary findings, currently undergoing peer review ahead of publication in the coming months, indicate that the drug is linked to more positive mental states, both during the attack and in the months that followed.
The research, conducted by scientists at Haifa University in Israel, could add to the growing body of evidence exploring how MDMA might be used in the treatment of psychological trauma.
Believed to be the first study of a
mass trauma event where a large number of people were under the influence of drugs, its findings could influence ongoing research into the use of MDMA and other psychedelics in treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and trauma.
The study monitored the psychological responses of over 650 festival survivors, two-thirds of whom had taken recreational substances such as MDMA,
LSD, marijuana, or psilocybin, which is the psychoactive compound in hallucinogenic mushrooms, before the attack.
Prof Roy Salomon, one of the researchers leading the study, told BBC that ‘MDMA, especially when not mixed with other substances, was the most protective.’
Those who had taken the drug during the attack reported better sleep and reduced mental distress over the following five months compared to those who had not taken any substances.
Scientists believe this effect is linked to the release of certain hormones when taking MDMA, particularly oxytocin, which is often referred to as the “love hormone” due to its role in social bonding and emotional connection.
Further, researchers suggest that the drug may have left survivors more receptive to emotional support from their families and friends after returning home.
However, the study is limited to survivors, making it difficult to determine whether specific substances influenced people’s chances of escape during the attack.
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What survivors said about drug use
One survivor, Michal Ohana, credited the drug with saving her life, believing it prevented her from freezing or collapsing during the attack.
“I feel like it saved my life, because I was so high, like I’m not in the real world,” she told BBC.
“Because regular humans can’t see all these things – it’s not normal.”
Clinicians in several countries have already tested MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD in controlled trials. However, Australia is the only country to have approved it as a treatment.
The United States rejected MDMA for therapeutic use, with the Food and Drug Administration raising concerns about the design of studies, the potential lack of long-term benefits, and risks including heart complications, injury, and substance abuse. In the UK, MDMA is a Class A drug and has been linked to liver, kidney, and heart problems.
In Israel, where MDMA remains illegal, psychologists can only administer it under experimental research conditions.
Dr Anna Harwood-Gross, a clinical psychologist and director of research at Israel’s Metiv Psychotrauma Centre, is testing MDMA as a PTSD treatment for IDF soldiers. She told BBC that the study’s early findings are “really important” for professionals like her.
Harwood-Gross added that MDMA’s potential therapeutic effects are promising, particularly for military veterans with chronic PTSD.
The drug has also led to a reassessment of traditional therapy methods, especially regarding the length of sessions when working with patients under its influence, she said.
Danny Brom, a founding director of the METIV Psychotrauma Centre at Herzog Hospital in Jerusalem, told BBC that Israeli society has changed its approach to trauma and therapy following the
October 7 attacks.
“It’s as if this is the first trauma we’re going through,” he said.
“I’ve seen wars here, I’ve seen lots of terrorist attacks, and people said, ‘We don’t see trauma here’.”
Israeli trauma specialists are now dealing with a complex range of issues, including collective trauma, combat trauma, the effects of mind-altering drugs, sexual assault, hostages, survivors, body recovery operations, and the bereaved.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza, triggered by the
October 2023 Hamas attacks, saw a temporary six-week truce beginning in January, during which Israeli hostages held by Hamas were exchanged for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
However, the ceasefire ended recently, with 59 Israeli hostages still in Hamas captivity.
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Is MDMA safe to use?
The National Institute on Drug Abuse in the US states that MDMA can cause various negative health effects, some of which may be serious. The risks depend on factors such as dosage, the drug’s purity, and the circumstances in which it is consumed.
Possible side effects of MDMA use include increased blood pressure, involuntary jaw clenching, nausea, vomiting, and restless legs. While deaths linked to MDMA are rare, the drug can still result in severe complications, according to the research institute.
Long-term use of MDMA has been associated with heart problems and liver damage. Studies have also indicated that regular users may suffer from poor sleep, loss of appetite, confusion, depression, anxiety, paranoia, and cognitive issues related to memory and attention.
With inputs from agencies