The efficacy and safety of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis from randomized controlled trials.
Jianhua Yang, Ni Wang, Wulin Luo, Junwei Gao
Psychiatry Research September 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2024.116043 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Patients with posttraumatic stress disorder |
| Intervention | MDMA-assisted psychotherapy |
| Topics | MDMA PTSD Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine Meta-analysis Posttraumatic stress disorder Systematic review MDMA Therapy 3 |
| Citations | 14 |
| Key findings | MDMA-assisted psychotherapy effectively reduced PTSD symptoms compared with placebo or active controls, but caused adverse events including muscle tightness, nausea, and decreased appetite. |
Abstract
3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), commonly known as ecstasy, is one of the most widely used illicit substances worldwide. MDMA-assisted psychotherapy has become a novel treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and many randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been performed over the past decade. Therefore, this study aimed to systematically review and demonstrate the efficacy and safety of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of PTSD. We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases up to October 27, 2023, selected RCTs assessing the efficacy and safety of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of PTSD, and evaluated their quality using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Seven RCTs were selected from the retrieved references. The results revealed that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy effectively reduced the change from baseline score in the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale in patients with PTSD compared with either placebo or active controls. However, MDMA causes a series of adverse events, including muscle tightness, nausea, and decreased appetite. To a certain extent, MDMA-assisted psychotherapy may improve symptoms in patients with PTSD. However, side effects and abuse issues still seriously hinder clinical application of MDMA.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on MDMA and psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 13
- Psychedelics: A review of their effects on recalled aversive memories and fear/anxiety expression in rodents Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews September 20, 2024
- Repeated intermittent administration of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine mitigates demyelination in the brain from cuprizone-treated mice. European Journal of Pharmacology March 15, 2025
- Psychedelic medicine: mechanisms, evidence, and translation to practice BMJ February 23, 2026
- Effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine on the gut microbiota and metabolites in the small intestine, cecum, and colon of male rats. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry January 10, 2025
- Novel psychedelic interventions for post-traumatic stress disorder and their promise for precision medicine. Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology December 4, 2025
and 8 more in the library
Cites 28
- 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
- The molecular mechanism of "ecstasy" [3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA)]: serotonin transporters are targets for MDMA-induced serotonin release. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences March 1, 1992
- 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 23 more in the library