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Peri-traumatic consumption of classic psychedelics is associated with lower anxiety and post-traumatic responses 3 weeks after exposure.

Einat Karp Barnir, Zohar Rubinstein, Rany Abend, Shaul Lev-Ran, Lia Naor, Mario Mikulincer

Journal of Psychopharmacology April 21, 2025 DOI: 10.1177/02698811251334025 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Observational cohort Peer reviewed
Sample size 343
Population Adult survivors of a single large-scale terrorist attack at a festival
Duration 3 weeks following the attack
Topics Anxiety LSD MDMA
Keywords Post-traumatic responses Psychedelics hallucinogens Entheogens Emotional trauma Worry Panic Terror attack terrorism Trauma PTSD Psychological injury Anxiety fear Distress
Citations 7
Key findings Classic psychedelics were associated with lower anxiety and post-traumatic symptoms compared to MDMA or no psychedelics, especially when used without other recreational substances.

Abstract

Emerging evidence indicates the therapeutic potential of psychedelic compounds for post-traumatic stress, yet the mechanisms mediating their effects remain unclear. Delineating the effect of psychedelics on traumatic memory formation could shed light on target therapeutic mechanisms. Here, we report on 343 adult survivors of a single, large-scale terrorist attack taking place during a festival in which different psychedelic compounds were consumed, in whom levels of anxiety and post-traumatic symptoms were assessed 3 weeks following the attack. Findings indicated that those who were under the influence of classic psychedelics during the attack reported significantly lower levels of anxiety and post-traumatic responses compared to those who were under the influence of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine and those who consumed no psychedelics. Furthermore, the protective effects of classic psychedelics for post-traumatic responses manifested more strongly among participants who did not consume additional recreational substances alongside psychedelics. These findings suggest that pharmacologic targets of classic psychedelics may modulate the formation of enduring trauma memories and confer a protective effect against the development of post-traumatic stress and anxiety responses.

Comparable studies

Other observational and cohort studies on MDMA for anxiety, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Former chronic methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ecstasy) users report mild depressive symptoms Former chronic ecstasy users 2001 Observational cohort n = 29
No Difference in Brain Activation During Cognitive Performance Between Ecstasy (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) Users and Control Subjects: A [H215O]-Positron Emission Tomography Study Regular polytoxic Ecstasy users and Ecstasy-naive controls 2001 Observational cohort
Mood state and brain electric activity in Ecstasy users Ecstasy users and Ecstasy-naive controls 2000 Observational cohort n = 29
Symptoms of anxiety and depression in childhood and use of MDMA: prospective, population based study Children and adolescents from the Dutch province of Zuid-Holland 2006 Prospective longitudinal population-based study n = 1,580
Depressive symptomatology in young adults with a history of MDMA use: a longitudinal analysis Young adult MDMA/ecstasy users from the community 2007 Longitudinal study n = 402

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