A Review of MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
Focus July 1, 2023 Benjamin R. Lewis, Kevin Byrne 9 citations
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy shows promise as a treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a chronic and disabling condition. Existing evidence-based therapies have significant limitations. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted MDMA "breakthrough therapy" status in 2017 after preliminary Phase II results. Phase III trials are underway, with anticipated FDA approval in late 2023. This review covers the evidence base, pharmacology, proposed causal mechanisms, risks, limitations, and future directions for this treatment.