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Current treatments for chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have limited efficacy. In a two-stage, phase 2 study (funded by a nonprofit supporting therapeutic uses of psychedelics and marijuana), researchers examined whether 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA [Ecstasy]) potentiates a nondirective psychotherapy. The 26 participants, largely recruited by advertisement, had PTSD lasting ≥6 months (22 veterans; 4 first responders). Doses were 125 mg, 75 mg, and 30 mg (a supposedly inactive dose).
In stage one, patients had three preparatory 90-minute therapy sessions, followed by MDMA during an 8-hour therapy session, an overnight stay, a week of daily phone calls, and two 90-minute therapy sessions. This protocol was repeated 1 mo…