The Promise of MDMA in the Future Treatment of Severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Journal of Student Research May 31, 2024 DOI: 10.47611/jsrhs.v13i2.6443 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Patients with post-traumatic stress disorder |
| Interventions | MDMA psychotherapy |
| Topics | MDMA PTSD |
| Key findings | The text reports that a majority of patients with PTSD in all three conducted trials of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy experienced long-term symptom reduction, and that MDMA in a clinical setting was reported to be safe with no serious drug-related side effects. It argues these results offer hope for improved PTSD treatment. |
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an often debilitating condition caused by a person’s exposure to traumatic events. Symptoms of PTSD include intrusive thoughts, suicidal ideation, and highly negative and distressing emotional states. Current treatments for PTSD such as cognitive behavioral therapy, EMDR, and SSRIs and SNRIs are ineffective for a large chunk of patients who seek out treatment. A majority of patients with PTSD do not respond to talking therapy, and the remission rate for patients on SSRIs and SNRIs is low. The ineffectiveness of recommended treatments has led to experimentation with drugs like MDMA. MDMA increases levels of chemicals in the brain that induce happy and calm states. This drug also decreases fear states in patients, allowing them to more comfortably discuss traumatic events without the possible side effects of extreme emotional numbness or high levels of anxiety. Research conducted in the last decade on MDMA in addition to psychotherapy in a clinical setting has yielded impressive results. A majority of patients in all three conducted trials experienced a long-term reduction in PTSD symptoms. MDMA in a clinical setting was also proven to be safe, with no serious drug-related side effects on patients. With such high rates of symptom reduction, these studies provide hope for the future of effective and safe PTSD treatment.