MDMA-assisted psychotherapy

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MDMA-assisted psychotherapy is the use of prescribed doses of MDMA as an adjunct to psychotherapy sessions. Research suggests that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including Complex PTSD, might improve treatment effectiveness.[1][2][3] In 2017, a Phase II clinical trial led to "breakthrough therapy" designation by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for potential use as a treatment for PTSD.[4][5]

MDMA-assisted psychotherapy is currently under investigation as a treatment for various other mental health disorders, including Major Depressive Disorder, social anxiety in autistic individuals, alcohol use disorder, and mood disturbances in individuals facing life-threatening illnesses.[6][7][8] The research is controversial[9][10] in part because recreational MDMA use has been associated with harmful effects among some users.[11][9][12]

  1. ^ Bahji A, Forsyth A, Groll D, Hawken ER (January 2020). "Efficacy of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis". Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry. 96: 109735. doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2019.109735. PMID 31437480. S2CID 201069918.
  2. ^ Smith KW, Sicignano DJ, Hernandez AV, White CM (October 2021). "MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy for Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis". Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 62 (4): 463–471. doi:10.1002/jcph.1995. PMID 34708874. S2CID 240072663.
  3. ^ Illingworth BJ, Lewis DJ, Lambarth AT, Stocking K, Duffy JM, Jelen LA, Rucker JJ (May 2021). "A comparison of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy to non-assisted psychotherapy in treatment-resistant PTSD: A systematic review and meta-analysis". Journal of Psychopharmacology. 35 (5): 501–511. doi:10.1177/0269881120965915. PMID 33345689. S2CID 229341150.
  4. ^ Pitts EG, Curry DW, Hampshire KN, Young MB, Howell LL (February 2018). "(±)-MDMA and its enantiomers: potential therapeutic advantages of R(-)-MDMA". Psychopharmacology. 235 (2): 377–392. doi:10.1007/s00213-017-4812-5. PMID 29248945. S2CID 3343930.
  5. ^ Burns J. "FDA Designates MDMA As 'Breakthrough Therapy' For Post-Traumatic Stress". Forbes. Retrieved 2019-07-19.
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  9. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference :9 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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  11. ^ Solon O (2016-09-16). "'My therapist gave me a pill': can MDMA help cure trauma?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2019-05-14.
  12. ^ Karlsen SN, Spigset O, Slørdal L (January 2008). "The dark side of ecstasy: neuropsychiatric symptoms after exposure to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine". Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology. 102 (1): 15–24. doi:10.1111/j.1742-7843.2007.00159.x. PMID 18047478.