Research suggests the therapeutic use of MDMA (ecstasy) may help people living with PTSD, but FDA approval is still pending. MDMA alters brain chemicals and processes related to memory consolidation, fear, and anxiety.
Psychedelics are substances that can alter your perception, cognition, and social-emotional state. Several types of psychedelics exist, including hallucinogens, entheogens, entactogens, and empathogens.
MDMA, or 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, is
MDMA may also promote the retrieval of repressed or forgotten memories.
MDMA is a controlled substance classified as a “Schedule I” narcotic by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which means it has no proven medical purpose and has a high potential for misuse.
Due to its unique psychoactive properties, however, MDMA is currently in controlled research trials as a treatment option for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The safety and efficacy of MDMA-based psychotherapy are currently under investigation. Clinical trial results are promising, but the potential for misuse and serious side effects of ecstasy use has raised concerns.
A 2024 systematic review of randomized controlled trials concluded that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy was effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD, but it also caused multiple side effects, including muscle tightness, nausea, and decreased appetite.
In another review from 2023, researchers noted that the ability of MDMA to affect neurotransmitters (brain messengers) and neurohormones, like oxytocin, cortisol, and serotonin, could make it effective at reducing anxiety and depression in people with PTSD.
MDMA therapy could also help people recall traumatic events without intense emotional and mental responses, which can assist the fear-reduction process in exposure therapy.
Some experts have proposed that MDMA-based psychotherapy for PTSD may also:
- increase a sense of empathy, openness, social engagement, and positive emotional state
- lower stress responses
- improve cognitive flexibility to help unlearn distorted beliefs and learn beneficial beliefs
- promote improved tolerance for traumatic memories
MDMA-based psychotherapy is not yet legal in the United States. Currently, Australia is the
Trials on the use of MDMA for PTSD have involved direct and close medical supervision. There’s no evidence that MDMA on its own, or used recreationally, will produce the same results. Using MDMA for PTSD at home or on your own is not recommended because of all the associated risks.
Using ecstasy recreationally promotes dependence and addiction and may lead to:
- increased blood pressure
- nausea and vomiting
- muscle tensing
- severe drop in body temperature
- panic attacks
- challenged concentration
- heart and liver damage
Safety and misuse concerns continue to hold back FDA approval of any MDMA-based medications in development.
In 2024, the FDA formally declined approval of midomafetamine (MDMA) capsules produced by the drug company Lykos Therapeutics.
Even though the data submitted on the medication demonstrated efficacy, the FDA stated the clinical trial results weren’t clear enough to approve the drug as a medical treatment.
Concerns about potential bias in the research and unknown long-term effects led the FDA to recommend an additional phase 3 clinical trial.
Some experts have proposed that MDMA, in conjunction with psychotherapy, may help the brain reprocess traumatic memories and reduce feelings of anxiety, depression, and fear. Research is promising, but has also indicated that the use of MDMA for this purpose must follow strict medical protocols and may lead to severe side effects.
MDMA has not yet been approved for therapeutic use in the United States. More research is needed to evaluate safety concerns, side effects, and the high potential for misuse.
Recreational use of MDMA offers more risks than benefits and has not been proven to be effective for treating any physical or mental conditions, including PTSD.