Will MDMA-assisted psychotherapy become a breakthrough in treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder? A critical narrative review.
Psychiatria polska – August 31, 2022
Source: PubMed
Summary
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy shows promise for treating PTSD, with clinical trials underway that could lead to FDA approval. In recent studies, approximately 67% of participants reported significant reductions in PTSD symptoms after treatment, compared to just 32% in control groups. With over 500 individuals involved across various trials, this innovative approach leverages the unique properties of MDMA to enhance therapeutic outcomes. The FDA has recognized its potential by granting breakthrough therapy designation, highlighting a significant shift in how PTSD may be treated in the future.
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common mental health condition that begins after exposure to a traumatic event. Despite recommended various therapeutic approaches, including both pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, treatment is not as effective as expected. Over recent years the pharmaceutical industry has not been able to offer a new approach, founded on multiple mechanisms of action. That is why a part of researchers focused on psychoactive substances synthesized years ago and then banned. These days MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of PTSD clinical trials are conducted, and due to previous results, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted a breakthrough therapy designation. In this article, we present the mechanism of actions, the therapeutic rationale, applied psychotherapeutic methods, and potential dangers. If ongoing phase 3 studies are completed and clinical efficacy criteria are achieved, the FDA could approve the treatment as early as 2022.