Case Report: Amplified psychoanalysis? Psychoanalysis, OCD and MDMA in a clinical case study
Frontiers in Psychology March 11, 2026 Filippo Dellanoce 1 citation
A novel therapeutic approach called 'amplified psychoanalysis' integrates MDMA-assisted therapy with traditional psychoanalytic treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). A single-case clinical narrative of a patient named Ygg illustrates how MDMA-induced altered states of consciousness may facilitate access to unconscious material and help overcome therapeutic impasses. The patient experienced more direct access to and processing of previously avoided memories and affects. The combination may be particularly promising for OCD, where traditional approaches often face limitations. Enhanced emotional processing, a strengthened therapeutic alliance, and improved access to traumatic memories are identified as putative processes of change. The approach requires systematic investigation with larger samples and formal outcome measures.