The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is moving forward with a new treatment method for post-traumatic stress disorder, and it’s not what you’d expect. The Multidisciplinary Association for Pschedelic Studies (MAPS) announecd last week that the FDA has granted “breakthrough therapy designation” to methylenedioxymethamphetamine, also known as MDMA, Ecstasy, or Molly.

Scientists have found that MDMA offers significant relief to those who suffer from PTSD, based on the results of clinical trials over the last few years, prompting the agency to move forward on further validating the drug, which is illegal when it comes to recreational use, but is a popular street drug.

MAPS has been pushing for MDMA research for decades now, but has met resistence due to MDMA’s reputation as an illicit drug. Finally, they’ve convinced the FDA that there is great potential in the drug as a treatment for PTSD.

“Reaching agreement with FDA on the design of our Phase 3 program and having the ability to work closely with the agency has been a major priority for our team,” said Amy Emerson, Executive Director of the MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MPBC). “Our Phase 2 data was extremely promising with a large effect size, and we are ready to move forward quickly. With breakthrough designation, we can now move even more efficiently through the development process in collaboration with the FDA to complete Phase 3.”