MDMA-assisted therapy: challenges, clinical trials, and the future of MDMA in treating behavioral disorders.
Steve O'Brien, David Nutt
CNS Spectrums January 30, 2025 DOI: 10.1017/S1092852925000057 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | MDMA-assisted therapy |
| Topics | Psychedelic-assisted therapy PTSD MDMA |
| Keywords | Behavioral disorders FDA MDMA-Assisted Therapy Drug regulation Mental health Novel therapeutic innovations Psychedelic research MDMA Therapy MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy Drug policy pharmaceutical |
| Citations | 5 |
| Key points | Argues that MDMA-assisted therapy holds potential for transforming psychiatry despite recent setbacks and ongoing debates. |
Abstract
This chapter explores the complex and controversial path of MDMA-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other behavioral disorders. It covers MDMA's history from research to recreation to medicine, the pivotal trials, and the challenges faced by researchers. Despite recent setbacks for the clinical application of MDMA, the chapter argues that it holds potential for transforming psychiatry and discusses the uncertain future amidst ongoing debates over ethics, methodology, and political influence.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on MDMA and psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The potential use of N-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDMA) assisted psychotherapy in the treatment of eating disorders comorbid with PTSD. | 2021 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD in adolescents: rationale, potential, risks, and considerations. Adolescents with PTSD | 2024 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Couple Therapy With MDMA-Proposed Pathways of Action. | 2021 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Informed Consent in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy. | 2024 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| MDMA-assisted psychotherapy | 2018 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |