November 9, 2025
Mark Groeneveld, Thomas Harper
preprint
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy can help unlearn maladaptive mental patterns by leveraging memory reconsolidation and predictive processing, according to this evidence-informed manual. The book synthesizes research and clinical experience to provide practical protocols, covering neuroscience of trauma, safety considerations, session preparation, adverse effects management, and strategies for continued healing between sessions. It addresses challenges in accessing ethical professional support and the risks of solo therapy. Written for mental health professionals, clients, and individuals pursuing healing outside traditional frameworks, the manual emphasizes practices to improve efficacy and reduce risk while acknowledging MDMA therapy's potential for rapid healing alongside dangers such as drug interactions and psychological destabilization.
April 22, 2025
Mark Groeneveld, Thomas Harper
preprint
This manual provides evidence-informed guidance for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, explaining how MDMA helps unlearn maladaptive schemas underlying mental illness through memory-reconsolidation, predictive-processing, complex systems dynamics, and the defense cascade model of autonomic threat responses. It synthesizes current research with clinical and lived experience to offer practical protocols covering neuroscience of trauma and healing, safety considerations and contraindications, session preparation and navigation, managing therapeutic destabilization and adverse effects, and strategies for continued reconsolidation between sessions. The authors discuss risks including dangerous drug interactions and psychological destabilization, emphasizing proper support structures. Written for mental health professionals, clients, and individuals pursuing healing outside traditional frameworks, the manual aims to improve safety and effectiveness of MDMA therapy while advocating for compassion, scientific rigor, and respect for individual autonomy.
Mark Groeneveld, Thomas Harper
preprint
A framework for the therapeutic use of MDMA addresses both professionally-guided and self-guided approaches, synthesizing research on trauma neurobiology, maladaptive schemas, and memory reconsolidation. Clinical trials show significant improvements in PTSD symptoms. Detailed guidance covers safety, dosing, session preparation, therapeutic processes, and post-session integration, along with strategies for managing challenges like anxiety and dissociation. The paper emphasizes careful risk assessment, especially for self-guided approaches, and explores potential benefits for expanding compassion and cognitive flexibility.
Mark Groeneveld, Thomas Harper
preprint
A framework for using MDMA therapeutically, covering professionally-guided and self-guided approaches, synthesizes research on trauma neurobiology, maladaptive schemas, and memory reconsolidation. Clinical trials show significant improvements in PTSD symptoms. Detailed guidance includes safety, dosing, session preparation, therapeutic processes, and post-session integration. Challenges like anxiety and dissociation are addressed. The framework emphasizes risk assessment, especially for self-guided use, and explores broader benefits such as expanded compassion and cognitive flexibility. The manual aims to make MDMA-assisted therapy more accessible, safe, and effective.