Successful treatment of intractable MDMA adverse reactions using acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine
Hope Kronman, Alison Locker, Abdi Assadi, Jeffrey Guss
Journal of Psychedelic Studies April 2, 2025 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1556/2054.2025.00402 via OpenAlex
Summary
A case study describes a patient who experienced persistent insomnia, anxiety, and tinnitus for months after MDMA therapy. Traditional Chinese Medicine was effective in managing her symptoms after Western medical approaches failed. The findings suggest that integrating alternative techniques may enhance the management of side effects following psychedelic treatments.
Study at a glance
| Design | case study |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | an individual who underwent MDMA therapy |
| Key finding | The patient's symptoms improved with Traditional Chinese Medicine after not responding to Western medical approaches. |
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelic treatments like MDMA can sometimes have side effects which persist despite management with Western medical approaches. In what follows, we present a case study of an individual who suffered from insomnia, anxiety, tinnitus, and more for months following MDMA therapy. Ultimately, her symptoms responded to management within the Traditional Chinese Medicine framework. We present this case in detail, and argue that psychedelic management, especially in the integration phase, can benefit from the incorporation of techniques which engage with energies that Western medicine do not address.