Current Perspective on MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
Sascha Thal, Miriam J. J. Lommen
Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy January 6, 2018 DOI: 10.1007/s10879-017-9379-2 (opens in new tab)
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Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Randomized Placebo-controlled Double-blind Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 105 |
| Population | Blinded subjects with chronic PTSD |
| Intervention | MDMA-assisted psychotherapy |
| Topics | MDMA Psychedelic-assisted therapy PTSD |
| Citations | 59 |
| Key findings | An overall remission rate of 66.2% and low rates of adverse effects were found in six phase two trials, supporting MDMA's safe and effective use as an adjunct to psychotherapy for chronic PTSD. |
Abstract
The present paper discusses the current literature with regard to substance-assisted psychotherapy with Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The aim of the paper is to give a comprehensive overview of the development from MDMA's early application in psychotherapy to its present and future role in the treatment of PTSD. It is further attempted to increase the attention for MDMA's therapeutic potential by providing a thorough depiction of the scientific evidence regarding its theorized mechanism of action and potential harms of its application in the clinical setting (e.g., misattribution of therapeutic gains to medication instead of psychological changes). Empirical support for the use of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, including the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trails that have been conducted since 2008, is discussed. Thus far, an overall remission rate of 66.2% and low rates of adverse effects have been found in the six phase two trials conducted in clinical settings with 105 blinded subjects with chronic PTSD. The results seem to support MDMA's safe and effective use as an adjunct to psychotherapy. Even though preliminary studies may look promising, more studies of its application in a psychotherapeutic context are needed in order to establish MDMA as a potential adjunct to therapy.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on MDMA and psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 25
- The Psychedelic Future of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment Current Neuropharmacology January 5, 2024
- 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy for victims of sexual abuse with severe post-traumatic stress disorder: an open label pilot study in Brazil. Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria 2021
- Beyond ecstasy: Alternative entactogens to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine with potential applications in psychotherapy Journal of Psychopharmacology September 10, 2020
- Current Perspective on the Therapeutic Preset for Substance-Assisted Psychotherapy Frontiers in Psychology July 13, 2021
- A proposed mechanism for the MDMA-mediated extinction of traumatic memories in PTSD patients treated with MDMA-assisted therapy Frontiers in Psychiatry October 12, 2022
and 20 more in the library
Cites 33
- 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
- Subjective Reports of the Effects of MDMA in a Clinical Setting Journal of Psychoactive Drugs October 1, 1986
- 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
- Durability of improvement in post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and absence of harmful effects or drug dependency after 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted psychotherapy: a prospective long-term follow-up study. Journal of Psychopharmacology 2013
- Instability of the ecstasy market and a new kid on the block: mephedrone Journal of Psychopharmacology September 8, 2010
and 28 more in the library