Transdiagnostic use of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted therapy to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Ziad Saade, Alex S Keuroghlian
The British Journal of Psychiatry February 26, 2025 DOI: 10.1192/bjp.2024.277 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | exposure and response prevention |
| Topics | Psychedelic-assisted therapy MDMA |
| Keywords | Obsessive–compulsive disorders Psychological treatments Psychotherapy Mental health treatment OCD Research Anxiety disorders |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key findings | MDMA-assisted therapy may enhance exposure and response prevention for OCD through fear extinction, psychological flexibility, and empathogenic effects. |
Abstract
This article explores the potential of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted therapy to enhance exposure and response prevention in obsessive-compulsive disorder treatment. We discuss the mechanisms of MDMA, including fear extinction, psychological flexibility, and empathogenic effects that may improve adherence and efficacy, as well as highlighting important safety considerations for further research.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on MDMA and psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 5
- MDMA-assisted therapy for moderate to severe PTSD: a randomized, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Nature Medicine October 1, 2023
- MDMA enhances emotional empathy and prosocial behavior Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience October 4, 2013
- Psychedelics reopen the social reward learning critical period Nature June 14, 2023
- 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine facilitates fear extinction learning Translational Psychiatry September 15, 2015
- Effects of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine on Conditioned Fear Extinction and Retention in a Crossover Study in Healthy Subjects Frontiers in Pharmacology July 13, 2022