Efficacy and risks of psychedelics in treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: A systematic review
Jennifer E. Thomas, Anna Dellarole, Robin J Jacobs
American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy March 4, 2026 DOI: 10.1093/ajhp/zxag062 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Adults with PTSD |
| Topics | MDMA Psilocybin PTSD |
| Keywords | Expectancy theory Posttraumatic stress Hallucinogen Clinical psychology Randomized controlled trial Clinical trial Psychotherapist |
| Key findings | MDMA and ketamine IV currently have the greatest support in the literature for efficacy in PTSD. |
Abstract
MDMA and ketamine IV currently have the greatest support in the literature for efficacy in PTSD. Studies suggest treatment with these agents under supervision may lead to improvements in PTSD symptoms, with the medications being generally well tolerated. However, caution should be used when interpreting study results due to limitations such as treatment expectancy effect and the potential for inadequate blinding. Randomized controlled studies of other psychedelics (eg, psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide) are needed to assess their utility in PTSD.
In the evidence
This study is part of the evidence base for a synthesis in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.
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MDMA and IV ketamine currently have the greatest support for efficacy in PTSD, and randomized controlled studies of psilocybin and LSD are still needed.
Synthesized
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on psilocybin for PTSD, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Novel psychopharmacological therapies for psychiatric disorders: psilocybin and MDMA. | 2016 | Review | |
| 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 |
Citations in the library
Cites 43
- MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study. Nature Medicine June 1, 2021
- 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
- Efficacy of Intravenous Ketamine for Treatment of Chronic Posttraumatic Stress Disorder JAMA Psychiatry April 16, 2014
- 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder in military veterans, firefighters, and police officers: a randomised, double-blind, dose-response, phase 2 clinical trial. The Lancet Psychiatry May 1, 2018
- A randomized, controlled pilot study of MDMA (±3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine)-assisted psychotherapy for treatment of resistant, chronic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Journal of Psychopharmacology October 31, 2012
and 38 more in the library