MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy Facilitates Post-Traumatic Growth in PTSD

Results from several controlled clinical trials suggest that using 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; not FDA-approved) to assist psychotherapy can benefit people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). To see whether MDMA-assisted psychotherapy might also foster post-traumatic growth, investigators pooled data from three phase II, triple-blind, randomized, controlled, crossover studies of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy; a total of 60 patients with PTSD were enrolled (mean age, 40; 52% men; 85% white).

MDMA was given in active doses (75–125 mg) or control doses (0–40 mg). The treatment protocol involved three 90-minute, manual-based, nondirective, nondrug psychotherapy sessions and then two 8-hour experimental sessions held 3 to 5 wee…