3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) - Assisted psychotherapy for treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: Literature review

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe psychiatric condition that can become chronic and disabling. Psychotherapy is currently one of the most effective treatments, but incomplete responses and frequent relapses prompt the search for alternatives. This review examined 33 scientific articles on combining psychotherapy with MDMA for PTSD. The studies fell into two categories: those testing whether MDMA-assisted psychotherapy is useful for PTSD and those exploring the mechanisms behind the combination. The potential therapeutic effect of MDMA, especially with psychotherapy, raises controversies, limitations, and opportunities. Few advanced-stage studies exist, and the substance's addictive potential and current controversies limit its use, though ongoing research may make it a valid future option.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Objectives Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe psychiatric disorder, with disabling potential and chronic evolution, that occurs at some people due to exposure to a specific traumatic event or threats of death, serious injury or sexual violence. Currently, psychotherapy is accepted as one of the most effective methods of treating PTSD. Incomplete clinical response as well as frequent relapses indicate the need to seek alternative therapies, of which the combination of psychotherapy with 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is noted for its possible useful effects. Methods: This paper is a literature review that has reviewed several scientific articles looking at the adjuvant effect of MDMA associated with psychotherapy in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. The included studies were selected following systematic searches conducted on the PubMed online database. A total of 33 scientific articles were included. Results: In general, the selected studies can be divided into two main areas in terms of objectives: studies looking at whether MDMA adjuvant psychotherapy is useful in post-traumatic stress syndrome and studies looking at the mechanisms by which MDMA can be associated with psychotherapy in the treatment of this condition. Conclusions: Our results on the potential therapeutic effect of MDMA, especially in combination with psychotherapy, raise several controversies, limitations and opportunities. The existence of a small number of studies in an advanced stage, together with the significant addictive potential of the substance and the current controversies related to its use for therapeutic purposes currently limit of this therapeutic option. However, given that studies are in full swing, the benefits of increasing psychotherapy with MDMA could be a valid and frequently used treatment option in the future.