MDMA-assisted therapy combines the administration of MDMA with therapy sessions before, during, and after the MDMA experience. MDMA-assisted therapy first began to be used in the 1970s, especially in couples therapy1 , until it became illegal in 1985. Facilitators are still practicing MDMA-assisted therapy underground, while in FDA-approved clinical research, practitioners are investigating the MDMA-assisted therapy modality for the treatment of PTSD.
MDMA-Assisted Therapy
Things to Know
- MDMA-assisted therapy started in the 1970s
- Facilitators continued practicing MDMA-assisted therapy underground after MDMA became illegal in 1985
- Most MDMA-assisted therapy documented today is for the treatment of PTSD
MDMA is reported to evoke less-intense and better-tolerated states than LSD with a shorter duration of acute effects, while promoting empathetic and euphoric feelings2 . Clinical MDMA-assisted therapy uses moderate to high doses, usually starting with an initial dose between 75 mg and 125 mg, followed by an optional second dose 1.5-2.5 hours later at half of the first. This puts a treatment session administration at a maximum of 187.5 mg per session, typically with a repeated protocol in two to three sessions over several weeks3 .
The majority of MDMA-assisted therapy that is documented today revolves around the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Organizations, such as the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), has offered trainings4 to therapists looking to guide patients in MDMA-assisted therapy if the FDA approves the treatment at the conclusion of clinical trials. During MDMA-assisted therapy for the treatment of PTSD, patients have the opportunity to engage in what is known as shadow work, facing fears, traumas, and subconscious patterns in a safe space, guided by the therapist.
