American Journal of Psychiatry
January 1, 2025
Adrienne Grzenda, Gregory A. Fonzo, Aaron Wolfgang et al.
14 citations
Current evidence does not support recommending psilocybin combined with psychological support (PST) as a psychiatric treatment. More rigorous clinical trials are needed to confirm its effectiveness in larger and more diverse patient groups, determine appropriate dosing, improve blinding methods, and understand how it works and for whom it works best. Comparing it directly with other proven treatments will clarify its potential future role in treating major psychiatric disorders.
Military Medicine
December 24, 2022
Joshua C. Gray, Mikela A. Murphy, Sierra Carter et al.
10 citations
Service members and veterans with traumatic brain injury and co-occurring symptoms initially held neutral views of psychedelic drugs and psychedelic-assisted therapies (PAT). After a brief psychoeducation session, their views of psychedelic drugs and interest in PAT became significantly more positive. Most participants supported making PAT available in medical settings if proven beneficial and would support a loved one engaging in PAT. The most common health concerns were long-term effects (43%), fear of losing one's mind (33%), fear of personality changes (33%), and fear of traumatic brain injury complications (24%). Logistical barriers included time, transportation, finances, work, and childcare, though 48% reported no barriers.
Journal of Medical Ethics
May 30, 2023
Scott Hoener, Aaron Wolfgang, David A. Nissan et al.
6 citations
Psychedelic-assisted therapies, particularly with MDMA and psilocybin, show rapid, durable, and cost-effective results for conditions like PTSD and major depression in clinical trials. Researchers are now interested in applying these treatments to active-duty US military personnel with treatment-resistant mental health issues, though psychedelics remain unapproved for general use. Unique ethical concerns arise for service members, including informed consent, confidentiality, deployability, and unanticipated psychological risks. The authors argue that MDMA-assisted therapy is a promising option that warrants accelerated investigation for military use, while cautioning that military-specific uncertainties must be carefully addressed.
Cureus
June 28, 2022
Ann Inouye, Aaron Wolfgang
5 citations
The Food and Drug Administration granted breakthrough therapy status to MDMA-assisted therapy in 2017 based on early evidence for treating PTSD. Across six phase-II trials, 54% of participants receiving a full dose no longer met PTSD diagnosis after two sessions, compared to 23% in the control group. In the first phase-III trial, 67% no longer met criteria after three sessions. Effects persisted: 67% remained undiagnosable after one year and 74% after nearly four years. The therapy was being fast-tracked for potential FDA approval by 2023. Hawaii's 2021 Senate Bill 738, which unsuccessfully sought to reschedule psilocybin for major depressive disorder, highlighted that MDMA, also a Schedule I substance, could benefit Hawaii residents.
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
February 5, 2024
Ann M. Inouye, Aaron Wolfgang, Lianne T. Philhower
1 citation
In 2021, phase 3 clinical trials of MDMA-assisted therapy for treatment-resistant PTSD found that 71.2% of full-dose participants no longer met PTSD criteria. Although MDMA-assisted therapy is not FDA-approved for borderline personality disorder, its beneficial effects might be applicable. An exploratory, qualitative, interview-based study examined clinicians' perspectives by interviewing two dialectical behavioral therapy clinicians and two MDMA-assisted therapy clinicians. The study assessed underlying therapeutic mechanisms, pharmacological factors, and treatment context to improve clinical responses. Participants' codes revealed a chronological narrative with three treatment phases.