Latest Trials Confirm the Benefits of MDMA for Treating PTSD

A new study conducted by the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) confirms the benefits of MDMA for treating PTSD. Despite concerns about safety and efficacy, the trial results confirm the therapeutic effects of MDMA. The latest trial, the MAPP2 trial, enrolled 100 participants to confirm its efficacy and safety. It will continue for at least two years.

What is MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy?

What is MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy? It is a form of therapy in which patients take MDMA in prescribed doses as an adjunct to psychotherapy. Using MDMA in combination with psychotherapy may improve treatment effectiveness for PTSD and other mental health conditions. This article explores the benefits and limitations of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. For more information, please visit the MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy website.

In an MDMA-assisted psychotherapy session, the patient takes a pill containing 120 mg of MDMA. This drug is believed to create a heightened state of awareness that allows patients to revisit important events and emotions in their past. Following the MDMA session, patients have non-MDMA sessions to work through traumatic memories and develop coping strategies. During a 12-week treatment course, the patient is typically given two or three multi-hour sessions.

MDMA-assisted psychotherapy is a method that combines MDMA with talk therapy. MDMA-assisted psychotherapy aims to catalyze the therapeutic process by increasing the patient’s trust and reducing their fear. This process encourages patients to discuss traumatic memories that may have caused them emotional injury. This can be particularly beneficial for those who have PTSD. 

While this method may benefit some patients, people with serious medical conditions, including cardiovascular disease, should avoid participating in the study. It has been proven safe and effective in clinical settings, and patients are free of side effects. This treatment is not recommended for people at high risk of heart attacks or hypertension, as MDMA can cause unsafe blood pressure elevations. Patients cannot leave the premises during the sessions until the effects have worn off.

One study found that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy reduced PTSD by six to fourteen points. In contrast, only 8% of patients with PTSD withdrew. The most common adverse effects were teeth grinding, jitteriness, and nausea. In addition, the effects of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy were not permanent, which suggests that MDMA is safe for both patients and the therapist.

The Effectiveness of MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy

In a recent study, researchers evaluated the effectiveness of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of PTSD. The study included 103 participants, and the primary objective was to compare the therapy with placebo treatment on a scale called the CAPS-5. This questionnaire rates the severity of the intrusion, avoidance, cognitive, and arousal symptoms. In addition, it assesses symptoms of dissociation and the duration and degree of distress.

The researchers conducted a meta-analysis of six phases 2 studies, assessing the effectiveness of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. The trials involved a double-blind, placebo-controlled design, and patients with PTSD were randomized to receive either psychotherapy or MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. Patients received active or placebo-control doses of MDMA during manualized psychotherapy sessions. Although no significant side effects were reported, the researchers noted that some participants reported experiencing nausea and jaw-clenching.

The effect of MDMA on PTSD was shown in mice, and it increased amygdalar expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factors. MDMA-assisted psychotherapy may exert its therapeutic effects by affecting serotonergic functions in the brain, which regulates fear-based behaviors. Thus, MDMA may help treat PTSD by reopening the critical period of neuroplasticity.

While MDMA-assisted psychotherapy may help people deal with their traumatic memories, this therapy is not for everyone. Psychotherapy is not a quick fix and requires commitment from the patient and therapist. Furthermore, people with psychological trauma may find it challenging to access buried traumatic memories or deal with feelings of retrieval. In addition, traumatic events may affect their ability to build a meaningful therapeutic relationship with the therapist, which is essential for a successful therapeutic alliance.

Although not yet approved by the FDA, MDMA-assisted psychotherapy may soon be available in the U.S. market. If the trial results are similar to the pilot studies, it will likely gain FDA approval in the next few years. This is a promising development for the treatment of PTSD. Many therapists and patients alike are hoping that this new approach will become commonplace in the future.

Looking Ahead

If you’re looking for a new treatment option for PTSD, MDMA may be the answer. Recent trials show that the drug is an effective treatment for PTSD, even among patients who have failed other forms of therapy. The drug’s unique chemical makeup, which resembles ecstasy, can help patients develop a more positive outlook. However, this type of treatment is still controversial and unavailable over the counter.

One of the biggest questions surrounding MDMA’s efficacy is how much it is safe to use. The FDA has approved MDMA for recreational use, but there are risks associated with recreational MDMA use. In a recent meta-analysis of clinical trials, MDMA proved effective in treating PTSD. It was found to be safe for most people. While there are some side effects of MDMA, the benefits outweigh potential risks, such as toxicity.

This study showed that MDMA significantly increased the quantity of topic initiation utterances in participants with treatment-resistant PTSD. The results also showed significant improvements in the CAPS scores, including increased entactic and empathic thinking. The researchers also found that MDMA reduced participants’ reliance on medications. Although the study results are promising, researchers caution that the treatment is still in its early stages.

The company behind the study, Numinus, has announced plans to provide MDMA-assisted psychotherapy to patients with treatment-resistant PTSD. The program will begin in the summer of 2021 and will be available to patients who’ve failed to respond to other treatments. Further research is needed to ensure that MDMA-assisted treatment is safe. This drug is safe compared to paroxetine.

The findings of the trials are not generalizable to the general PTSD population, as many of the participants were treatment-resistant and had a history of MDMA use. The age of participants was only 18 to 21 years; therefore, the results may not apply to other age groups. Finally, five studies included comorbid conditions, and the average age of participants was also not high.

Potential for Use in the Future

Although the current legal status of MDMA is still uncertain, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) is actively working to remove obstacles that have impeded the drug’s development and potential therapeutic use in the future. In the 1990s, Charles Grob’s study proved that MDMA is safe for use in healthy people. The first MAPS-sponsored trial for PTSD was conducted in Spain but was halted due to political pressure.

MDMA has complex pharmacological effects involving the release of monoamines, reversing the activity of transporter proteins, and blocking reuptake. Its effects on dopamine release are species and dose-dependent, and its downstream targets include a2-adrenergic and serotonergic receptors. These receptors are the hallmarks of PTSD, and MDMA use may facilitate unpacking these memories.

While the use of MDMA in psychotherapy remains controversial, it may be an effective treatment for PTSD and anxiety. It can induce a sense of trust and calmness in sufferers and improve the prognosis of serious illnesses such as PTSD. In addition to its medical benefits, MDMA can improve sleep and cognitive insights, which may make it useful in treating other mental disorders. But it is unclear how MDMA will change society’s perception of the drug.

Merck Laboratories first recognized the benefits of MDMA-AT in 1912. In 1966, it was resynthesized by Alexander Shulgin, and two years later, he gave the drug a try. This compound’s popularity soon spread throughout academic and mental health circles, and it was designated a Schedule I substance because of its abuse potential. Despite the legal status of MDMA, scientific research is still ongoing today, as the effects of the drug are similar to those of other stimulants.