Evaluating the efficacy and safety of MDMA for the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: a systematic review
UCC Student Medical Journal October 17, 2025 Megha Kodancha, Houssein Chahrour, Charles Carey et al.
A systematic review of randomized controlled trials found that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy significantly reduces PTSD symptoms in people with chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD compared to placebo plus psychotherapy. Dose-dependent improvements were seen on standardized scales (CAPS-IV/CAPS-5). Open-label trials and long-term analyses showed that benefits were maintained for at least 12 months after treatment. Adverse effects were mild to moderate and transient, including anxiety, headache, fatigue, muscle tension, and insomnia. A major methodological challenge is functional unblinding, which complicates interpretation of MDMA's true effect size. Future research should refine methods and examine long-term safety in diverse populations.