A biopsychosocial model of MDMA-assisted therapy in application: Dyadic One Session Treatment for specific phobia
Frontiers in Psychiatry September 5, 2025 Nicholas J. Ahari, Gregory A. Fonzo
MDMA may help treat PTSD by affecting brain circuits involved in fear and reward. No studies have tested MDMA on specific phobias. This article proposes a model of MDMA-assisted therapy that combines biological, psychological, and social factors, informed by emotional processing theory, inhibitory learning, and cognitive behavioral interpersonal theory. It applies this model to spider phobia, a common animal phobia, suggesting a novel one-session treatment. The authors hypothesize that MDMA's neurobiological and prosocial effects can enhance emotional processing and learning during exposure, reducing avoidance and phobia symptoms. This framework could guide integration of exposure therapies with MDMA and other psychedelics for fear-based conditions.