A Method of Conducting Therapeutic Sessions with MDMA
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs December 1, 1998 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.1998.10399713 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 2 |
| Population | Clients with clear therapeutic purpose, excluding those with serious functional psychiatric impairments |
| Intervention | MDMA |
| Dose | 75-150 mg, plus 50 mg if requested later |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Active listening Psychotherapist Perspective graphical Consciousness |
| Citations | 187 |
| Key findings | MDMA-assisted therapy, with careful preparation and setting, helped clients reframe past emotional experiences and provided relief in two cases: a man with multiple myeloma pain and a woman affected by Holocaust survivor family issues. |
Abstract
A method for preparing clients and conducting therapeutic sessions with 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is described, with emphasis on the need for careful attention to the mental set of therapists and clients and the setting of the session. The therapists' belief was that MDMA inhibited the fear response to a perceived emotional threat, allowing the client to place the emotional sequelae of past experiences into a more realistic perspective in their current emotional lives and relationships. Clients were carefully screened and prepared until they had a clear purpose for the session, including a willingness to experience and to learn from anything that might happen. Sympathomimetic effects of MDMA determined the medical contraindications, and clients with histories of serious functional psychiatric impairments were excluded. Total doses of 75-150 mg, plus 50 mg if requested later, were administered, followed by clients lying down and listening to music with eyeshades and headphones during the peak MDMA effect. Screening and follow-up questionnaires were utilized. Two case histories are presented: a man achieving relief of pain from multiple myeloma, and a woman finding relief from problems as the daughter of Holocaust survivors. Use of consciousness-altering drugs in other contexts is discussed.