Novel psychopharmacological therapies for psychiatric disorders: psilocybin and MDMA.
Michael C Mithoefer, Charles S. Grob, Timothy D Brewerton
The Lancet Psychiatry April 5, 2016 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(15)00576-3 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | Psilocybin MDMA |
| Topics | Psychedelic-assisted therapy PTSD MDMA Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Psychedelic-assisted treatment Psilocybin therapy MDMA Therapy Entheogenic medicine Psychoplastogen therapy Psychedelic medicine Mental health treatment Psychiatric care Mental healthcare Therapeutic interventions Psychological treatment Behavioral health treatment Mental well-being Symptom reduction Psychiatric treatment Depression & PTSD Mood disorders Trauma disorders Affective disorders Clinical depression Mental health conditions Novel therapies Innovative treatments Emerging therapies New psychiatric approaches Breakthrough treatments Advanced therapeutics Psychiatric innovation Future of psychiatry |
| Citations | 237 |
| Key findings | Psilocybin and MDMA show promise as therapeutics for several difficult-to-treat conditions when used as adjuncts to psychotherapy. |
Abstract
4-phosphorloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (psilocybin) and methylenedioxymethamfetamine (MDMA), best known for their illegal use as psychedelic drugs, are showing promise as therapeutics in a resurgence of clinical research during the past 10 years. Psilocybin is being tested for alcoholism, smoking cessation, and in patients with advanced cancer with anxiety. MDMA is showing encouraging results as a treatment for refractory post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety in autistic adults, and anxiety associated with a life-threatening illness. Both drugs are studied as adjuncts or catalysts to psychotherapy, rather than as stand-alone drug treatments. This model of drug-assisted psychotherapy is a possible alternative to existing pharmacological and psychological treatments in psychiatry. Further research is needed to fully assess the potential of these compounds in the management of these common disorders that are difficult to treat with existing methods.
In the evidence
This study is part of the evidence base for 4 syntheses in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.
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Reports that psilocybin and MDMA show promise as adjuncts to psychotherapy for difficult-to-treat conditions, including refractory PTSD and social anxiety in autistic adults.
Synthesized
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State of the evidence: MDMA for PTSD Supports
Describes MDMA as showing encouraging results as an adjunct to psychotherapy for refractory PTSD, while calling for further research.
Synthesized
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Reports that psilocybin and MDMA show promise as adjuncts to psychotherapy for several difficult-to-treat conditions, with further research needed.
Synthesized
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Psilocybin is being tested for alcoholism, smoking cessation, and cancer-related anxiety, while MDMA shows encouraging results for refractory PTSD; both are studied as adjuncts to psychotherapy.
Synthesized
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on psilocybin for PTSD, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered clinical studies investigating psychedelic drugs for psychiatric disorders. Registered clinical trials on clinicaltrials.gov evaluating psychedelics for... | 2021 | Review | n = 70 |
| The Psychedelic Future of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment | 2024 | Comprehensive review | |
| Diverse therapeutic developments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) indicate common mechanisms of memory modulation. | 2022 | Review | |
| Is it now time to prepare psychiatry for a psychedelic future? | 2024 | Review | |
| Psychoactive Drugs in the Management of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Promising New Horizon | 2022 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 171
- Psychedelics Promote Structural and Functional Neural Plasticity Cell Reports June 1, 2018
- Predicting Responses to Psychedelics: A Prospective Study Frontiers in Pharmacology November 2, 2018
- Reviewing the Potential of Psychedelics for the Treatment of PTSD The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology March 12, 2020
- Hallucinogens in Mental Health: Preclinical and Clinical Studies on LSD, Psilocybin, MDMA, and Ketamine Journal of Neuroscience November 30, 2020
- Designer drugs: mechanism of action and adverse effects Archives of Toxicology April 1, 2020
and 166 more in the library
Cites 32
- Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance Psychopharmacology July 7, 2006
- Pilot Study of Psilocybin Treatment for Anxiety in Patients With Advanced-Stage Cancer Archives of General Psychiatry September 7, 2010
- Human hallucinogen research: guidelines for safety. Journal of Psychopharmacology July 1, 2008
- Psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence: A proof-of-concept study Journal of Psychopharmacology January 13, 2015
- Psilocybin occasioned mystical-type experiences: immediate and persisting dose-related effects. Psychopharmacology December 1, 2011
and 27 more in the library