Posttraumatic stress disorder often does not resolve after conventional psychotherapies or pharmacotherapies. Pilot studies have reported that 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) combined with psychotherapy reduces posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. This pilot dose response trial assessed efficacy and safety of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy across multiple therapy teams. Twenty-eight...
This portfolio comprises a culmination of research work spanning three years of full- time training on the Practitioner Doctorate course in Psychotherapeutic and Counselling Psychology (PsychD) at the University of Surrey. The research comprises three research reports: a literature review, and two qualitative studies. The literature review explores the psychedelic renaissance, focusing on the...
Due to the intractability, at times, in the treatment of PTSD, clinicians and researchers continue to explore different options for treatment. This article discusses the renewed interest in hallucinogens for such treatment.
Neural plasticity-the ability to change and adapt in response to stimuli-is an essential aspect of healthy brain function and, in principle, can be harnessed to promote recovery from a wide variety of brain disorders. Many neuropsychiatric diseases including mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders arise from an inability to weaken and/or strengthen pathologic and beneficial circuits,...
Military veterans and public safety officers with chronic post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experienced a reduction in symptoms when the psychedelic drug 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) was given in conjunction with psychotherapy, a randomized trial has found. Doses of 75 mg and 125 mg, each given in two experimental sessions spaced 3 to 5 weeks apart, were more effective than a...
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for treatment of PTSD has recently progressed to Phase 3 clinical trials and received Breakthrough Therapy designation by the FDA. MDMA used as an adjunct during psychotherapy sessions has demonstrated effectiveness and acceptable safety in reducing PTSD symptoms in Phase 2 trials, with durable remission of PTSD diagnosis in 68% of participants. The underlying...
Published online at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30170-6 Eligible users can access the full text via NHS OpenAthens at [https://www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/journal/1-s2.0-S2215036618301706] (login required).
Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is prevalent in military personnel and first responders, many of whom do not respond to currently available treatments. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy for treating chronic PTSD in this population. Methods: We did a randomised, double-blind, dose-response,...
The present paper discusses the current literature with regard to substance-assisted psychotherapy with Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The aim of the paper is to give a comprehensive overview of the development from MDMA's early application in psychotherapy to its present and future role in the treatment of PTSD. It is further attempted to...