The Efficacy of MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Cureus May 17, 2021 Sarah Tedesco, Ganeya Gajaram, Shahzad Chida et al. 31 citations
A meta-analysis of 10 studies (168 patients total) and systematic review of 16 articles examined MDMA (ecstasy) for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). MDMA acts as a triple monoamine reuptake inhibitor and weak serotonin receptor agonist. The analysis separately presents disorders where MDMA showed net positive or net negative effects on symptoms, along with adverse events and a therapeutic index for patients who benefited. An odds ratio for beneficial and adverse events helps identify treatment-resistant patients who might benefit from MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. The findings suggest promising evidence for MDMA's potential therapeutic use alongside psychotherapy for PTSD, and its pharmacological profile may guide future drug development for treatment-resistant psychiatric disorders.