The original MAPS manual for MDMA-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) opened a therapeutic frontier for PTSD. However, it drew critique for concepts—such as “inner healing intelligence” – that originated in transpersonal traditions rather than academic or empirically grounded clinical models. While many patients found the therapies helpful, these constructs were difficult to interpret and standardize....
3,4‐Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)‐assisted psychotherapy (MDMA‐AP) has shown promise in treating post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly in treatment‐resistant cases. However, little is known about its potential to precipitate adverse psychiatric outcomes. We present the case of a 31‐year‐old woman with nondistressing childhood compulsions, chronic PTSD, and complex medical...
The Swiss Federal Office of Public Health provides case-by-case exemptions allowing physicians to provide psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) using psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), or 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methamphetamine (MDMA). The study provided an overview of PAT as currently provided in Switzerland under the regulatory framework of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH)....
CureusDecember 1, 2025Paweł Liszka, Agata Ogórek, Klaudia M Olejnik-Chlewicka et al.
Classic psychedelics and related substances, such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), have again become a focus of interest in psychiatry as potential therapeutic tools. The aim of this paper is to review current data on their mechanisms of action, clinical applications in the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders, addictions and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as to...
Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe condition often complicated by co-occurring disorders, such as major depression, alcohol use disorder, and substance use disorders. A well-powered phase 3 randomized, placebo-controlled trial has shown that MDMA-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) may be an effective treatment for severe PTSD. However, the psychological mechanisms driving the...
Serotonergic psychedelics and 3,4-methylendioxtmethamphetamine (MDMA) are promising treatments for mental disorders with a continuously evolving evidence base. We searched Pubmed/Scopus/clinical trial registries up to 08july2025 for double-blind randomized controlled trials (RCTs) testing MDMA or serotonergic psychedelics in patients with mental disorders. Primary outcomes were change in...
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious and chronic mental health condition with limited effective treatment options. 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphethamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy (MDMA-AT) has shown promise in phase 2 and phase 3 clinical trials, with many research participants reporting significant reductions in PTSD symptoms. However, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA)...
Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) is an emerging intervention in psychiatry, for which there is preliminary evidence for effectiveness in eating disorders (EDs). The subjective psychedelic experience is considered an important driver of positive outcomes following PAT; however, conventional study design approaches often overlook many of the nuances inherent to the experience. Consequently,...
The resurgence of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy marks a pivotal evolution in mental health treatment, challenging traditional paradigms by integrating compounds such as psilocybin, LSD, MDMA, and ketamine into clinical practice. Historically marginalized due to regulatory and societal concerns, these agents are now gaining recognition for their unique neurobiological mechanisms and...
Despite recent clinical and research interest, medical use of psychedelics has not been legalised in most jurisdictions. The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration rescheduled methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in July 2023 to permit authorised prescribing of MDMA for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) outside of the clinical trial setting. This manuscript describes the development of...