3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine's (MDMA's) Impact on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
Annals of Pharmacotherapy July 2014 DOI: 10.1177/1060028014532236 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Randomized Open-label Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Patients with posttraumatic stress disorder, including those refractory to other PTSD therapies |
| Intervention | MDMA-assisted psychotherapy |
| Measures | Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale, Severity of Symptoms Scale for PTSD Scale |
| Topics | MDMA PTSD |
| Keywords | Molly/ecstasy Posttraumatic stress disorder Psychotherapy |
| Key findings | The authors conclude that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy may be an effective treatment for refractory PTSD, with PTSD rating scale score reductions of 23% to 68% across trials, but two of three randomized controlled trials did not show significant results, all had methodological limitations, and further evaluation is needed to determine its place in contemporary therapy. |
Abstract
Review the current literature assessing the role of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). OVID MEDLINE search (1960-February 2014) using the terms MDMA, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, Molly, and Ecstasy crossed with posttraumatic stress disorder with backwards citation tracking using references from procured articles. English language studies assessing MDMA in patients with PTSD. Three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were conducted along with follow-up open-label and extension evaluations. In the 3 RCTs, therapy with MDMA-assisted psychotherapy is promising, with reductions in PTSD rating scale scores (Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale, Severity of Symptoms Scale for PTSD Scale), although 2 of 3 trials did not show significant results, and all three had methodological limitations. The direction of effect for all trials was toward benefit in patients who were refractory to other PTSD therapies; the percentage reductions on rating scores ranged from 23% to 68%; and in 1 trial, the effect was sustained over a long period of time. MDMA ingestion without sustained psychotherapy over a 6- to 8-hour period is unlikely to be beneficial; trying to prolong the duration of effect with supplemental dosing is unlikely to provide additional benefits; and there are adverse effects on blood pressure and heart rate that should be appreciated. These studies used unadulterated MDMA with known and reproducible potency, which may not happen with street purchase of the product. MDMA-assisted psychotherapy may be an effective therapy in refractory PTSD but needs further evaluation to determine its place in contemporary therapy.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on MDMA for PTSD, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 7
- MDMA‐Assisted Psychotherapy for Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review With Meta‐Analysis The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology October 28, 2021
- Efficacy of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry 2020
- Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in Psychiatry Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology October 10, 2018
- MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for people diagnosed with treatment-resistant PTSD: what it is and what it isn’t Annals of General Psychiatry May 17, 2020
- The helioscope effect: A new framework for evaluating trauma-related memory processing in psychedelic experiences. Journal of Psychopharmacology May 1, 2026
and 2 more in the library
Cites 14
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- 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
- Increased oxytocin concentrations and prosocial feelings in humans after ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) administration Social Neuroscience June 25, 2009
and 9 more in the library