Therapeutic effect of increased openness: Investigating mechanism of action in MDMA-assisted psychotherapy.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) August 1, 2017 Mark T Wagner, Michael C Mithoefer, Ann T Mithoefer et al. 163 citations
Traumatic events can lead to lasting personality changes, especially increased neuroticism. In a randomized trial of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD, changes in openness—but not neuroticism—moderated the link between reduced PTSD symptoms and the treatment. Patients showed increased openness and decreased neuroticism from baseline to long-term follow-up. These preliminary findings suggest MDMA-assisted psychotherapy may alter personality structure beyond just relieving PTSD symptoms, leading to enduring personality change.