A Review of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-Assisted Psychotherapy

This review describes the history, pharmacology, safety, and clinical uses of MDMA. Most clinical research has focused on MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD, which is now in Phase 3 trials with a target for FDA and EMA licensing in 2021. The paper also covers other potential applications, including treating anxiety in autism and the authors' ongoing study on MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for alcohol use disorder. If efficacy criteria are met, MDMA would become a licensed medicine.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This paper provides a brief review of the history, proposed pharmacological mechanisms, safety issues, and clinical applications of the medicine 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Most clinical MDMA research in patients to date has focused on MDMA-assisted psychotherapy to treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In this review paper other potential therapeutic applications for MDMA therapy are described, including contemporary studies treating anxiety associated with autism and the authors' ongoing study exploring the potential role for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy to treat alcohol use disorder. MDMA therapy for PTSD is now entering the final Phase 3 stage of drug development, with a target set for licensing by the FDA and EMA in 2021. This means that if clinical efficacy criteria are achieved, MDMA would become a medicine.