Can MDMA Play a Role in the Treatment of Substance Abuse?
Current Drug Abuse Reviews June 1, 2013 Lisa Jerome, Shira Schuster, B. Yazar-Klosinski 36 citations
Psychedelic compounds show promise as treatments for substance abuse disorders. MDMA, which shares features with psychedelics and has reduced PTSD symptoms in assisted psychotherapy, may also help. Early reports indicate some people reduced or stopped substance use after receiving MDMA, especially therapeutically. MDMA releases monoamines, activates 5-HT2A receptors indirectly, and increases prosocial feelings via oxytocin. Heavy lifetime ecstasy use is linked to fewer serotonin transporters and impaired verbal memory. Animal and human studies show moderate abuse liability, but in two recent clinical studies, participants who received MDMA-assisted psychotherapy did not seek ecstasy and tested negative on random drug tests during follow-up. MDMA might directly treat addiction-related neuropharmacological abnormalities or indirectly aid therapy and comorbid conditions.