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MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy Using Low Doses in a Small Sample of Women with Chronic Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

José Carlos Bouso, Rick Doblin, Magı́ Farré, Miguel Ángel Alcázar‐córcoles, Gregorio Gómez-jarabo

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs September 1, 2008 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2008.10400637 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Observational cohort Peer reviewed
Sample size 6
Population Women with chronic PTSD secondary to sexual assault
Intervention MDMA-assisted psychotherapy
Dose between 50 and 75 mg
Topics MDMA Psychedelic-assisted therapy PTSD
Keywords Posttraumatic stress Clinical psychology
Citations 206
Key findings Low doses of MDMA (50–75 mg) were psychologically and physiologically safe for all six women with chronic PTSD from sexual assault.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety of different doses of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy administered in a psychotherapeutic setting to women with chronic PTSD secondary to a sexual assault, and also to obtain preliminary data regarding efficacy. Although this study was originally planned to include 29 subjects, political pressures led to the closing of the study before it could be finished, at which time only six subjects had been treated. Preliminary results from those six subjects are presented here. We found that low doses of MDMA (between 50 and 75 mg) were both psychologically and physiologically safe for all the subjects. Future studies in larger samples and using larger doses are needed in order to further clarify the safety and efficacy of MDMA in the clinical setting in subjects with PTSD.

In the evidence

This study is part of the evidence base for 2 syntheses in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.

  • State of the evidence: MDMA and psychedelic-assisted therapy Supports

    Low doses of MDMA (50-75 mg) were psychologically and physiologically safe in all six women, with preliminary efficacy data; larger studies with higher doses are needed.

    Synthesized

  • State of the evidence: MDMA for PTSD Supports

    Low doses of MDMA (50-75 mg) were psychologically and physiologically safe in all six women, with preliminary efficacy data; larger samples and doses are needed.

    Synthesized

Comparable studies

Other observational and cohort studies on PTSD, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Increased Mastery Elements Associated With Imagery Rehearsal Treatment for Nightmares in Sexual Assault Survivors With PTSD. Female sexual assault survivors with chronic nightmares 2004 Observational cohort n = 44
Posttraumatic stress symptoms following near-death experiences. Persons who report near-death experiences and those who came close to death without NDEs 2001 Observational study
Impact of oral ketamine augmentation on hospital admissions in treatment-resistant depression and PTSD: a retrospective study. Outpatients with treatment-resistant depression and PTSD 2018 Retrospective review n = 37
Altered brain activity and functional connectivity after MDMA-assisted therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder. Veterans and first-responders with chronic PTSD of 6 months or more 2022 Observational cohort n = 9
Prospective associations of psychedelic treatment for co-occurring alcohol misuse and posttraumatic stress symptoms among United States Special Operations Forces Veterans. U.S. Special Operations Forces Veterans with risky alcohol use 2024 Observational cohort n = 45

Related reading

Explore topics

MDMA Psychedelic-assisted therapy PTSD

By condition and practice

MDMA and psychedelic-assisted therapy MDMA for PTSD