CNS Spectrums
January 30, 2025
Steve O'Brien, David Nutt
5 citations
This chapter explores the complex and controversial path of MDMA-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other behavioral disorders. It covers MDMA's history from research to recreation to medicine, the pivotal trials, and the challenges faced by researchers. Despite recent setbacks for the clinical application of MDMA, the chapter argues that it holds...
Journal of Affective Disorders
January 15, 2025
Jia-Ru Li, Kuo-Tung Chiang, Yu-Chen Kao et al.
1 citation
Different study designs of psychedelic trials may impact the blinding and expectance, leading to biased treatment effects. This study aimed to examine the association between antidepressant efficacy and study designs in psychedelic trials. Six databases were systematically searched. Eligible trials were required to investigate the efficacy of psychedelics (psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide...
Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology
2025
Diana McHerron, Michaela Barber, Rachel Ham et al.
Physical touch is often included as a supportive or therapeutic tool in psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT), involving instrumental forms of physical contact, supportive touch and somatic techniques. However, participants under the influence of psychedelics have reduced capacity to provide consent, are more suggestible and may experience and interpret therapeutic touch in ways they did not...
PLoS One
2025
Filip Stanicic, Vladimir Zah, Dimitrije Grbic et al.
5 citations
3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) is currently being evaluated for treatment of patients with moderate or higher severity post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). To provide a comprehensive summary of investigational MDMA-AT and current treatments for PTSD. A search was conducted in PubMed and Embase (December 20, 2023). Populations included adults with chronic,...
International review of neurobiology
2025
Tijmen Bostoen, Stephan Tap, Joost J. Breeksema et al.
1 citation
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a severe psychiatric condition that develops after exposure to trauma such as combat, natural disasters, or assault. It is characterized by re-experiencing trauma, avoidance, hyperarousal, and negative alterations in cognition and mood. Since its formal inclusion in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-III in 1980, PTSD has...
Frontiers in Psychiatry
2025
Alexa E Albert, Anthony L. Back
5 citations
Pathological narcissism (PN) is a complex, treatment-resistant disorder characterized by unstable self-esteem that fluctuates between grandiosity and vulnerability, complicating the formation of a stable self-image. With few empirically supported therapies, treatment has traditionally relied on long-term psychoanalytic approaches, but these often face high attrition. Recent research suggests a...
Frontiers in Psychiatry
2025
Peter Gasser, Matthias E. Liechti, Friederike Holze
2 citations
A 64-year-old male patient who suffered from traumatic life experiences and neuropathic pain after oncological chemotherapy was treated with medium to high doses of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and high doses and microdoses of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). At the beginning of treatment, the patient did not experience any acute subjective effects of LSD at a dose of 200 µg. After...
Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences
December 31, 2024
Mazdak M. Bradberry, Paul S. Appelbaum, Natalie Gukasyan
7 citations
Humans have long used classical serotonergic psychedelics, such as psilocybin, for a variety of purposes. Entactogens, such as methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), emerged during the twentieth century and have likewise seen use in a broad range of settings. Interest has arisen in the use of classical psychedelics and entactogens, together termed "psychedelics," for therapeutic purposes in...
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
December 11, 2024
Scott Shannon, Jamarie Geller
3 citations
We are experiencing a mental health crisis of unprecedented proportions. Over the last two decades this crisis grew from a perfect storm of rising insurance deductibles, escalating social stressors, the COVID-19 pandemic, and a critical workforce deficiency. Perhaps no mental health arena has a greater shortfall of effective treatment options than Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as the...
Neuropsychopharmacology Reports
December 1, 2024
Ghada Shahrour, Kainat Sohail, Safa Elrais et al.
21 citations
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder resulting from exposure to traumatic events, manifesting in various debilitating symptoms. Despite available treatments, many individuals experience inadequate response or significant side effects. Previous reviews suggest promising outcomes with MDMA-assisted psychotherapy (MDMA-AT), but limitations prompt the need for a...