Couple Therapy With MDMA-Proposed Pathways of Action.
Front Psychol November 11, 2021 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.733456 via PubMed Central
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractMDMA was first considered as a therapeutic aid for couple therapy in the 1970s and 1980s. With the completion of the first pilot trial of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for couples with PTSD, and expanding regulatory possibilities, this theoretical paper examines how MDMA-assisted couples therapy works. It explores MDMA's neurobiological and neurochemical effects in a relational context, and its emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and somatic impacts within a dyadic frame. The paper discusses how empathy, communication, social connection, non-avoidance, openness, attachment, bonding, intimacy, and relationship satisfaction are influenced by MDMA and can be harnessed for interpersonal healing. A model for MDMA-assisted couple therapy is introduced, along with future directions for intervention development and delivery.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | MDMA-assisted couple therapy |
| Topics | Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | MDMA Therapy MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy Drug-assisted therapy Entactogen therapy |
| Citations | 13 |
| Key finding | MDMA's effects on empathy, communication, social connection, and attachment can be harnessed to facilitate systems-level and interpersonal healing in couple therapy. |
Abstract
MDMA's first identified potential as a therapeutic catalyst was for couple therapy. Early work in the 1970s and 1980s explored its potential amongst seasoned psychotherapists and their clients. With the completion of the first pilot trial of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy with couples for PTSD, and as the possibility of conducting MDMA-assisted psychotherapy trials expands due to new regulatory frameworks, we have an opportunity to explore and investigate how and why MDMA-assisted couples therapy works. This theoretical paper will explore the neurobiological and neurochemical effects of MDMA in a relational context, the emotional, behavioral, cognitive and somatic effects within a dyadic frame, and how empathy, communication, perception of social connection/support, non-avoidance, openness, attachment/safety, bonding/social intimacy and relationship satisfaction, are all impacted by MDMA, and can be harnessed to facilitate systems-level and interpersonal healing and growth. A model to support MDMA-assisted couple therapy is introduced, and future directions, including implications for intervention development and delivery, will be elucidated.