FDA Rejects MDMA as PTSD Treatment Due to Insufficient Data

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has denied approval for the use of MDMA, a psychedelic drug commonly known as ecstasy or molly, for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The drug, developed by Lykos Therapeutics, was intended to be used in combination with talk therapy to help individuals suffering from PTSD. However, the FDA raised concerns about the limited clinical data provided, particularly questioning whether psychotherapy contributes to the drug’s effectiveness and whether it is necessary.

The FDA emphasized that the lack of sufficient data prevented them from determining that the drug is both safe and effective for its proposed use. The agency’s decision was influenced by an earlier vote from an expert panel, where the majority expressed doubts about the drug’s overall benefits. In a June panel, 10 out of 11 FDA advisers voted against the effectiveness of MDMA in treating PTSD, citing issues such as the potential lack of long-term benefits, the design of the studies, and the risks associated with heart problems, injury, and abuse.

Lykos Therapeutics expressed disappointment over the FDA’s decision, noting that additional research could take years to complete. The company highlighted the frustration of millions of Americans with PTSD who have seen few new treatment options in over two decades. Despite the setback, Lykos Therapeutics plans to continue working with the FDA to address the agency’s concerns.

This is the first time the FDA has considered a psychedelic drug for medical use. Currently, MDMA remains classified as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act, alongside substances like cocaine, heroin, and cannabis, which are defined as having no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.

 

How to Sleep Like an Olympic Athlete

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The incredible achievements of Olympic athletes result from years of rigorous training, but one crucial aspect often overlooked is sleep. Despite its importance, many athletes struggle to get the rest they need, especially before competitions. Sleep is vital for both mental and physical health, and in the world of elite sports, it can make the difference between victory and defeat. For instance, studies show that a mere 1% improvement in performance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics would have turned fourth-place finishes into medal-winning performances.

Sleep’s impact on athletic performance is profound. Research from Stanford University revealed that extending sleep to at least 10 hours per night improved sprint times and reduced fatigue in college basketball players. Conversely, sleep deprivation can harm coordination, strength, and decision-making, with effects varying by sport. Despite this, many Olympic athletes get less than the recommended eight hours of sleep, especially before competitions. Factors like early training sessions, travel, and stress contribute to poor sleep quality.

Some athletes and teams have taken sleep to the next level. The British Cycling team, for example, brought their own pillows and mattresses to the 2008 Beijing Olympics to ensure consistent sleep quality, contributing to their impressive medal haul. Elite athletes also use sleep tracking technology to monitor sleep quality and identify areas for improvement.

Improving sleep hygiene is key for athletes, including establishing regular sleep routines, limiting caffeine, and avoiding blue light before bed. The concept of “banking sleep,” or sleeping longer before a night of poor sleep, is also gaining traction. Napping, too, has proven beneficial in boosting alertness and reducing fatigue. As technology and sleep science advance, personalized sleep strategies could become a game-changer in athletic training.

 

The Need for Lunar Timekeeping: Why Scientists Urgently Want to Send Clocks to the Moon

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The idea that time behaves differently depending on where you are in the universe has been well-established since Einstein’s theory of relativity. On Earth, the differences are minute and often negligible for most people, but as humanity sets its sights on establishing permanent lunar bases, the idiosyncrasies of time become critical.

On the lunar surface, a day would be approximately 56 microseconds shorter than on Earth due to weaker gravity and other relativistic effects. This might seem like an insignificant difference, but over time, it could lead to substantial inconsistencies in timekeeping, which are crucial for coordination and navigation in space exploration.

Creating a Lunar Time Scale

NASA and its international partners are working on creating a new “time scale” specifically for the moon. This system of measurement would account for the unique way time passes on the lunar surface. Unlike simply establishing a lunar time zone, this time scale would require an entirely new framework to ensure that seconds on the moon are accurately measured and can be related back to Earth time.

The White House has recently directed NASA to develop this time scale by the end of 2026, aligning with NASA’s goal to return astronauts to the moon. This directive underscores the importance of precise timekeeping for future lunar missions and settlements.

The Challenges of Lunar Timekeeping

Timekeeping on Earth is standardized through Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), which is maintained by a network of atomic clocks. These clocks account for the effects of gravity on time by adjusting for the slower ticking of clocks at lower elevations, where gravity is stronger.

However, on the moon, the situation becomes more complex. Time not only ticks faster due to weaker gravity but is also influenced by the moon’s motion and the need for synchronization with Earth time. NASA and other space agencies are considering deploying a network of precise clocks on the moon, potentially using atomic clocks and crystal oscillators, to establish this new time scale.

Practical Applications and Next Steps

Accurate timekeeping will be essential for lunar operations, including navigation, communication, and scientific experiments. Astronauts on the moon will need to synchronize their activities with both lunar and Earth time, which requires clocks that can operate with extreme precision in the moon’s unique environment.

The exact type of clocks to be used, their placement, and who will bear the cost are still under discussion. However, a network of synchronized clocks, potentially placed on satellites or on the lunar surface, would likely be necessary to maintain this new lunar time scale.

As humanity prepares to return to the moon and potentially establish a permanent presence there, solving the problem of lunar timekeeping is a crucial step. The next few years will be pivotal in developing and implementing the systems that will allow us to track time accurately on our closest celestial neighbor.