3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) - Assisted psychotherapy for treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: Literature review
Tiberiu Constantin Ionescu, Ionut-stelian Popa, Alin Chiriac, Cătălina Tudose
Romanian Journal of Psychiatry & Psychotherapy March 31, 2020 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.37897/rjpp.2020.1.3 via OpenAlex
Summary
The combination of MDMA with psychotherapy shows potential as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is often inadequately addressed by current therapies. A literature review included 33 studies examining the effectiveness and mechanisms of MDMA as an adjunct to psychotherapy. While promising, concerns about addiction and the limited number of advanced studies highlight the need for caution. Future research may validate MDMA-enhanced psychotherapy as a common treatment option.
Study at a glance
| Design | literature review |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 33 |
| Population | scientific articles on MDMA and psychotherapy in PTSD treatment |
| Key finding | MDMA combined with psychotherapy may offer therapeutic benefits for PTSD, but its use is limited by addiction risks and insufficient advanced studies. |
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.