MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Complex-Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Toward a neurocognitive account
Philip Gerrans, Hugh Mgovern, Jakob Hohwy et al. 1 citation preprint
Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) involves additional symptoms beyond those of PTSD, including emotional instability, negative self-concept, and interpersonal difficulties, often from prolonged trauma like childhood maltreatment or domestic violence. A novel model based on active inference and self-modelling explains these differences and identifies the insula's role in affective regulation. The model suggests that MDMA-assisted therapy may help recalibrate emotional regulation and strengthen self-model, offering a potential treatment avenue. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed, with emphasis on further empirical research.