Common side effects of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy
Neuropsychopharmacology May 13, 2024 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1038/s41386-024-01873-8 via OpenAlex
Summary
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy has shown safety and efficacy in treating psychiatric illnesses, particularly posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Recent clinical trials indicate its effectiveness not only for PTSD but also for alcohol use disorder, autism, and end-of-life anxiety. The FDA has granted priority review for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD, following a Breakthrough Therapy designation in 2017, while Australia has authorized its medical use for PTSD.
Study at a glance
| Population | patients with PTSD, alcohol use disorder, autism, and end-of-life anxiety |
|---|---|
| Key finding | MDMA-assisted psychotherapy is safe and effective for treating PTSD and other psychiatric conditions. |
Abstract
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy has emerged as a potential treatment for psychiatric illnesses, with findings from clinical trials in the last decade demonstrating safety and efficacy in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), among other psychiatric indications. Earlier this year (2024), the Food and Drug Administration in the United States granted priority review for a new drug application involving MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD, which followed their Breakthrough Therapy designation for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy in 2017 [ 1 ]. In addition, the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration has authorized MDMA prescriptions for PTSD, making Australia the first country to recognize medical uses for MDMA [ 2 ]. Beyond PTSD, evidence from clinical trials indicates that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy is safe, tolerable, and effective in patients with alcohol use disorder, autism, and end-of-life anxiety [ 3 ].