Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
January 1, 2013
Michael C Mithoefer, Mark T Wagner, Ann T Mithoefer et al.
377 citations
In a long-term follow-up of the first completed trial of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD, all 19 original participants took part, and 16 completed all outcome measures 17 to 74 months after their final MDMA session (average 45.4 months). The mean CAPS score at follow-up (23.7) was nearly identical to the mean score at study exit (24.6), indicating that the substantial symptom relief achieved during the trial was maintained over time. Although two participants relapsed, the majority sustained clinically significant improvements, and no one reported harm from participation.
Lancet Psychiatry
April 5, 2016
Michael C Mithoefer, Charles S Grob, Timothy D Brewerton
237 citations
Psilocybin and MDMA, known for their illegal use as psychedelic drugs, are showing promise as therapeutics in a resurgence of clinical research over the past 10 years. Psilocybin is being tested for alcoholism, smoking cessation, and anxiety in patients with advanced cancer. MDMA shows encouraging results as a treatment for refractory post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety in autistic adults, and anxiety associated with a life-threatening illness. Both drugs are studied as adjuncts or catalysts to psychotherapy, not as stand-alone treatments. This model offers a possible alternative to existing pharmacological and psychological treatments, though further research is needed.
Journal of psychiatric research
May 1, 2022
Timothy D Brewerton, Julie B Wang, Adele Lafrance et al.
81 citations
Among 89 individuals with severe PTSD enrolled in a placebo-controlled trial of MDMA-assisted therapy, 15% had eating disorder symptoms in the clinical range and 31.5% in the high-risk range at baseline, despite no active purging or low weight. After treatment, participants who received MDMA-assisted therapy showed significantly greater reductions in eating disorder symptoms compared to those who received placebo, especially among women with elevated baseline scores. The findings suggest that eating disorder psychopathology is common in severe PTSD and that MDMA-assisted therapy may reduce these co-occurring symptoms.
Medical hypotheses
January 1, 2021
Timothy D Brewerton, Adele Lafrance, Michael C Mithoefer
28 citations
Eating disorders remain difficult to treat, especially when accompanied by posttraumatic stress disorder. MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for treatment-resistant PTSD shows promise, with two-thirds of participants achieving full remission at one year or more follow-up. The authors hypothesize this therapy will be effective for both eating disorder and PTSD symptoms in people with both conditions. MDMA's effects—reduced fear, enhanced wellbeing, increased sociability, reduced self-criticism, increased compassion, interpersonal trust, and alert consciousness—may counteract avoidance and hyperarousal in therapy. Other features like body image distortion, cognitive rigidity, and socio-emotional difficulties may also improve. Personal accounts describe benefit, but risks and challenges are noted.