Posttraumatic Growth After MDMA‐Assisted Psychotherapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Journal of Traumatic Stress February 19, 2020 Ingmar Gorman, Alexander Belser, Lisa Jerome et al. 43 citations
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) not only reduces symptoms but also promotes posttraumatic growth (PTG)—positive changes in self-perception, relationships, and life philosophy. Pooled data from three phase 2 clinical trials with 60 participants showed that those receiving active MDMA (75–125 mg) had significantly more PTG and larger reductions in PTSD symptom severity at the primary endpoint compared to the control group (0–40 mg MDMA). At 12-month follow-up, PTG remained higher, symptom severity lower, and two-thirds of participants no longer met PTSD criteria. These large-magnitude effects suggest PTG may be a new mechanism of action for this treatment.