Why Psychiatry Needs 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine: A Child Psychiatrist's Perspective
Neurotherapeutics May 5, 2017 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-017-0531-1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | MDMA-assisted psychotherapy |
| Topics | Addiction MDMA |
| Keywords | Context archaeology Psychotherapist Perspective graphical |
| Citations | 11 |
| Key findings | MDMA-assisted psychotherapy shows potential as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, particularly from child abuse, but accurate risk-benefit analysis must distinguish clinical MDMA from recreational ecstasy. |
Abstract
Since the late 1980s the psychoactive drug 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) has had a well-known history as the recreationally used drug ecstasy. What is less well known by the public is that MDMA started its life as a therapeutic agent and that in recent years an increasing amount of clinical research has been undertaken to revisit the drug's medical potential. MDMA has unique pharmacological properties that translate well to its proposed agent to assist trauma-focused psychotherapy. Psychological trauma-especially that which arises early in life from child abuse-underpins many chronic adult mental disorders, including addictions. Several studies of recent years have investigated the potential role of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, with ongoing plans to see MDMA therapy licensed and approved within the next 5 years. Issues of safety and controversy frequently surround this research, owing to MDMA's often negative media-driven bias. However, accurate examination of the relative risks and benefits of clinical MDMA-in contrast to the recreational use of ecstasy-must be considered when assessing its potential benefits and the merits of future research. In this review, the author describes these potential benefits and explores the relatives risks of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy in the context of his experience as a child and adolescent psychiatrist, having seen the relative limitations of current pharmacotherapies and psychotherapies for treating complex post-traumatic stress disorder arising from child abuse.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on MDMA for addiction, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neuropharmacology of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS): Focus on the Rewarding and Reinforcing Properties of Cannabimimetics and Amphetamine-Like Stimulants | 2016 | Review | |
| Methamphetamine and MDMA (Ecstasy) Neurotoxicity: 'of Mice and Men' | 2004 | Review | |
| Use and abuse of dissociative and psychedelic drugs in adolescence Adolescent humans and preclinical animal models | 2021 | Review | |
| Can MDMA Play a Role in the Treatment of Substance Abuse? | 2013 | Review | |
| Neuroimaging in Human MDMA (Ecstasy) Users | 2008 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 7
- Efficacy of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry 2020
- Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in Psychiatry Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology October 10, 2018
- Compassionate use of psychedelics Medicine, Health Care, and Philosophy May 28, 2020
- MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of PTSD: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Neuropsychopharmacology Reports December 1, 2024
- MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Mixed-Methods Case Study of a Participant of Color From an Open-Label Trial Journal of Humanistic Psychology February 10, 2022
and 2 more in the library
Cites 26
- Mechanisms of mindfulness Journal of Clinical Psychology December 29, 2005
- Pilot Study of Psilocybin Treatment for Anxiety in Patients With Advanced-Stage Cancer Archives of General Psychiatry September 7, 2010
- Psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence: A proof-of-concept study Journal of Psychopharmacology January 13, 2015
- Pilot study of the 5-HT2AR agonist psilocybin in the treatment of tobacco addiction Journal of Psychopharmacology September 11, 2014
- The safety and efficacy of {+/-}3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted psychotherapy in subjects with chronic, treatment-resistant posttraumatic stress disorder: the first randomized controlled pilot study. Journal of Psychopharmacology July 19, 2010
and 21 more in the library