Nature Medicine
June 1, 2021
Jennifer Mitchell, Michael P. Bogenschutz, Alia Lilienstein et al.
965 citations
A phase 3 clinical trial tested MDMA-assisted therapy against placebo for severe PTSD. Participants received manualized therapy with either MDMA or placebo alongside preparatory and integrative sessions. At two months after the last session, the MDMA group showed a significantly greater reduction in PTSD symptoms (average 24.4-point drop on the CAPS-5 scale) compared to the placebo group (13.9-point drop), with a large effect size. Functional impairment also improved more with MDMA. No serious safety issues such as abuse potential, suicidality, or heart rhythm problems were observed. The findings suggest MDMA-assisted therapy is highly effective and safe for severe PTSD, including in people with common co-occurring conditions.
Nature Medicine
October 1, 2023
Jennifer Mitchell, Marcela Ot’alora G., Bessel Van der Kolk et al.
400 citations
In a phase 3 trial, MDMA-assisted therapy reduced PTSD symptoms and functional impairment more than placebo with therapy in 104 participants with moderate to severe PTSD. The average decrease in PTSD symptom severity was 23.7 points with MDMA-assisted therapy versus 14.8 points with placebo, and functional disability improved by 3.3 versus 2.1 points. Participants were ethnoracially diverse, with 27% identifying as Hispanic/Latino and 34% as other than White. Severe side effects occurred in 9.4% of the MDMA group and 3.9% of the placebo group; no deaths or serious adverse events were reported. The treatment was generally well tolerated.
Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing)
July 1, 2023
Jennifer Mitchell, Michael P. Bogenschutz, Alia Lilienstein et al.
97 citations
A phase 3 clinical trial tested MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD. In 90 participants randomized to receive either MDMA or placebo alongside therapy, those receiving MDMA showed a significantly larger reduction in PTSD symptoms, with an average decrease of 24.4 points on the CAPS-5 scale compared to 13.9 points in the placebo group. Functional impairment also improved more with MDMA. No serious safety issues like abuse potential or suicidality were observed. The treatment was effective even for patients with common co-occurring conditions such as depression or substance use history. The authors conclude MDMA-assisted therapy is a safe and highly effective treatment for severe PTSD.
The American Journal on Addictions
April 1, 2015
Cole Marta, Wesley C Ryan, Alex Kopelowicz et al.
17 citations
Ibogaine, a naturally occurring hallucinogen used illegally for addiction treatment, can trigger manic episodes even in people with no prior bipolar diagnosis. This case series reports three patients who developed mania after using unregulated ibogaine—two for self-treating addictions and one for psycho-spiritual purposes. No previous reports of ibogaine-induced mania exist in the literature. Clinicians encountering new-onset mania should inquire about substance use, especially ibogaine, given its growing popularity among vulnerable populations seeking addiction treatment. The authors advise discussing the lack of safety and efficacy data with patients considering ibogaine.
International Journal of Transpersonal Studies
July 1, 2014
Wesley C Ryan, Cole Marta, Ralph J. Koek
5 citations
Intravenous ketamine is a fast-acting treatment for treatment-resistant depression in both unipolar and bipolar forms. Its benefits last days, longer in unipolar depression, and it may reduce suicidality, though data are limited. Strategies to extend effects—multiple doses, maintenance, or additional medications—have shown mixed results. Alternative routes (intramuscular, intranasal, oral) show promise but lack sufficient data. Adverse effects are mainly mild, transient dissociative and sympathomimetic symptoms, indicating good tolerability. Ketamine's unique properties could shift depression treatment paradigms.