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MDMA for PTSD: all studies

Page 3 of 21: studies 21 to 30 of 204, newest first. Back to the MDMA for PTSD overview

Research

A neurocognitive account of complex PTSD: self-modelling, affective dysregulation, and implications for MDMA-assisted and targeted psychotherapies.

European Journal of Psychotraumatology March 19, 2026 Philip Gerrans, Hugh McGovern, Jakob Hohwy et al.

Background: Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) is a trauma-related condition characterized by pervasive disturbances in affect regulation, self-concept, and interpersonal functioning that extend beyond the symptom profile of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While neurobiological studies have implicated limbic, salience, and prefrontal systems in C-PTSD, mechanistic accounts...

DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2026.2631358 (opens in new tab) Full text (opens in new tab) 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine 4-metilendioximetanfetamina C-PTSD MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy +5

State of the Science: MDMA‐assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder

Journal of Traumatic Stress March 12, 2026 Leslie A. Morland, Barbara O Rothbaum, Lauren M. Sippel et al. 2 citations

There is growing interest in novel approaches to treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including the use of psychedelic substances combined with psychotherapy, often referred to as psychedelic-assisted therapy, to better meet the needs of patients who do not prefer or respond to traditional evidence-based treatments. Among these treatments, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine...

DOI: 10.1002/jts.70060 (opens in new tab) Posttraumatic stress Cognition Cognitive behavioral therapy Leverage statistics +9

Efficacy of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical and functional outcomes

European Neuropsychopharmacology March 12, 2026 Natalia E. Fares-Otero, Yuki Furukawa, Marit Sijbrandij et al.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a chronic and disabling condition and identifying beneficial therapies is timely and important. We aimed to estimate the efficacy of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) compared with control on clinical and functional outcomes in PTSD. A PRISMA-compliant search (PROSPEROCRD42022353261) up to August 14, 2025, covered nine databases...

DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2026.112802 (opens in new tab) Dissociative Posttraumatic stress Clinical trial Cognition +12

Efficacy and risks of psychedelics in treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: A systematic review

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy March 4, 2026 Jennifer E. Thomas, Anna Dellarole, Robin J Jacobs

MDMA and ketamine IV currently have the greatest support in the literature for efficacy in PTSD. Studies suggest treatment with these agents under supervision may lead to improvements in PTSD symptoms, with the medications being generally well tolerated. However, caution should be used when interpreting study results due to limitations such as treatment expectancy effect and the potential for...

DOI: 10.1093/ajhp/zxag062 (opens in new tab) MDMA Psilocybin Expectancy theory Posttraumatic stress +5

SSRIs, Psilocybin, MDMA, and Disease Modeling: Strategies to Advance PTSD Treatment

February 24, 2026 Momoko Ishii, Mark Zervas

S elective S erotonin R euptake I nhibitors (SSRIs) and two psychedelics, Psilocybin (4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine), and MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) act on serotonergic-related neural circuits and function as serotonin modulators. All three molecules are either currently used or proposed as novel therapeutic modalities to treat P ost- T raumatic S tress D isorder (PTSD)....

DOI: 10.14293/pr2199.003034.v1 (opens in new tab) Full text (opens in new tab) Psilocybin Context archaeology Disease Multidisciplinary approach +8

MDMA-Assisted Therapy for PTSD: Neuroplastic Change or Psychotherapeutic Catalyst?

Translation The University of Toledo Journal of Medical Sciences February 17, 2026 Amy Hooper, Evelyn K. Lambe

MDMA-assisted psychotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly in individuals unresponsive to conventional interventions such as SSRIs and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy. As recent clinical trials report durable symptom remission, ongoing debate surrounds the mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effects. This review...

Lifetime MDMA use and associations with meaning in life in the context of childhood trauma

Scientific Reports February 10, 2026 Michelle Olofsson, Kasim Acar, Otto Simonsson et al.

Recent research has highlighted the potential of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and other trauma-related psychiatric conditions. However, less is known about the effects of MDMA use on psychological well-being in populations with trauma histories outside of clinical contexts. In the present study, we assessed...

Experiences of Australian clinicians, researchers, and patients with MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder: A framework-guided qualitative analysis.

Journal of Affective Disorders February 2, 2026 Alene Sze Jing Yong, Aimee Freeburn, Suzie Bratuskins et al.

Australia recently became the first country to reschedule methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) to permit authorized prescribing for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) outside of clinical trials. This study explored the direct experience of Australian clinicians, researchers, and patients regarding the use of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy (MDMA-AP) for PTSD to inform guideline development....

New‐Onset Obsessive–Compulsive Symptoms After MDMA‐Assisted Psychotherapy in a Patient With Refractory PTSD: A Case Report

Case Reports in Psychiatry 2026 Ridhi J. Vyas, Ryan Hood, Jeremy Hsiang et al.

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...

Exploring MDMA assisted therapy in eating disorders: mechanisms, clinical evidence, and future directions.

Journal of Eating Disorders December 29, 2025 Michael Harkhoe, Tim Offringa, Eric Vermetten

Patients with eating disorders (EDs), particularly anorexia nervosa (AN), experience a complex psychiatric condition often characterized by extreme food restriction, intense fear of weight gain, elevated levels of emotional dysregulation, body image disturbance, and comorbid trauma. Several of these factors can undermine the therapeutic alliance and reduce engagement with treatment,...

DOI: 10.1186/s40337-025-01409-5 (opens in new tab) Full text (opens in new tab) PTSD Anorexia nervosa Eating disorders MDMA-Assisted Therapy