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MDMA increases certain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, in the brain. Regulated doses in a controlled setting may help improve psychotherapy sessions for certain conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). MDMA may help people receiving therapy access traumatic memories more easily, allowing them to work through them with less anxiety or stress. This article examines the current research behind MDMA therapy, its uses, and what the process of MDMA therapy may involve. What is MDMA therapy Share on PinterestMaskot/Getty ImagesMDMA therapy uses regulated doses of MDMA in a clinical setting to help healthcare professionals treat certain psychiatric conditions, such as PTSD. MDMA stands for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine. It is an empathogen, which is a type of drug that alters neurotransmitters in the brain to affect how a person feels. People may refer to recreational MDMA as ecstasy. Clinical use of MDMA is not the same as ecstasy. MDMA therapy uses pharmaceutical grade MDMA. Ecstasy may contain an unknown quantity of MDMA, along with a mix of other ingredients that may be harmful. Healthcare professionals administer a regulated dose of MDMA in a controlled setting to treat specific psychiatric conditions that research suggests MDMA may benefit. The use of MDMA in psychotherapy sessions may help reduce anxiety or defensiveness in the person receiving therapy. This may increase the level of trust and bond between the person and the therapist, allowing them to open up more freely and have more productive sessions. People may be able to revisit traumatic memories to work through them without becoming overwhelmed, overly anxious, or stressed. Learn more about MDMA. What is MDMA therapy used for Current research is investigating the uses of MDMA therapy in the treatment of:PTSDeating disorders, including anorexia nervosa restricting subtype (AN-R) and binge-eating disorderanxiety disorders, including anxiety in adults with autism Research into MDMA therapy for treating PTSD is currently in the third and final stage of clinical trials. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified MDMA as a breakthrough therapy, which supportsfurther research and development of MDMA therapy. The FDA has also allowed an expanded access program for MDMA therapy, which means people who have life threatening, treatment-resistant PTSD and are unable to take part in clinical trials can access MDMA therapy. A 2020 pilot study of 18 participants investigated MDMA therapy as a treatment for anxiety in people with a life threatening illness. The study found that MDMA therapy reduced anxiety more than those in the placebo group. However, researchers require larger-scale clinical trials to show whether it has the potential to be an effective treatment. Research into MDMA therapy as a treatment for eating disorders is also in the initial stages. What are the effects of MDMA on the brain MDMA increases levels of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine, which are chemical messengers in the brain. In particular, MDMA increases norepinephrine and serotonin. Serotonin helps to regulate behaviors and functions such as sleep, pain, and appetite and has mood-elevating effects. MDMA increases levels of certain hormones that affect the stress response. MDMA also increases oxytocin and prolactin, which are both hormones that link to trust and bonding. MDMA also reduces activity in the amygdala, which is part of the brain that processes fear and trauma. These effects may help treat conditions such as PTSD, as they allow people to talk more openly in therapy about traumatic memories. Learn more about serotonin and dopamine. What the research shows Research into MDMA therapy is now in the third stage of clinical trials. This is the final stage before potential approval from the FDA, which would make it available as a treatment option in the United States. A 2021 double-blind, placebo-controlled study looked at the effects of therapy alongside either MDMA or a placebo in treating severe PTSD. The study included 90 participants with severe PTSD who were randomly put into two groups. Both groups received therapy sessions alongside either MDMA or a placebo. The researchers found that three doses of MDMA alongside therapy sessions over the course of 18 weeks resulted in a significant reduction in PTSD and depressive symptoms. After 18 weeks, 67% of participants in the MDMA group and 32% in the placebo group no longer met the criteria for PTSD diagnosis. After three therapy sessions, 33% of participants in the MDMA group and 5% in the placebo group met the criteria for remission of PTSD. Treatment with MDMA was safe and well-tolerated and did not increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or potential for drug misuse. What is the MDMA therapy process To treat PTSD, a healthcare professional will deliver therapy sessions with the use of MDMA in three 8-hour sessions. These will take place 3–5 weeks apart. Alongside these sessions, people will receive 12 therapy sessions without MDMA. These help people prepare for and integrate the drug-assisted sessions. Outlook MDMA therapy is still undergoing research on how safe and effective it is. MDMA therapy has not yet had approval from the FDA as an available treatment option. 2021 research suggests that using MDMA in clinical settings may be safe and well-tolerated and may result in significant reductions in PTSD symptoms. A statement from the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) suggests that MDMA therapy for mental health conditions such as PTSD could be an available treatment option in the near future. If people with PTSD want to learn about participating in current clinical trials for MDMA therapy, they can talk with a healthcare professional. People can also find out more information through MAPS. Summary MDMA therapy is the use of pharmaceutical-grade MDMA alongside psychotherapy sessions. Research has investigated the use of MDMA therapy to treat PTSD. It may also help treat other mental health conditions, such as anxiety disorders and eating disorders. In MDMA therapy, healthcare professionals administer a regulated dose of MDMA to people receiving therapy. The effects of MDMA may help make people recall traumatic memories to work through in the session while helping to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Research into MDMA therapy as a treatment for PTSD is now in the final stages, after which the FDA may consider it as a treatment option for PTSD. Last medically reviewed on September 29, 2022Clinical Trials / Drug TrialsPsychology / PsychiatryRegulatory Affairs / Drug ApprovalsDrugsptsd 10 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Fact sheet: Breakthrough therapies. (2018).https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/food-and-drug-administration-safety-and-innovation-act-fdasia/fact-sheet-breakthrough-therapiesMDMA. (n.d.).https://maps.org/mdma/MDMA-assisted therapy for eating disorders (MED1). (n.d.).https://maps.org/mdma/eating-disorders/MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD. (n.d.).https://maps.org/mdma/ptsd/MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD edges closer. (2021).https://adf.org.au/insights/mdma-ptsd/Mitchell, J. M., et al. (2021). MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study.https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-021-01336-3?language%5b%5d=enMultidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies. (2020). FDA agrees to expanded access program for MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD [Press release].https://maps.org/news/media/press-release-fda-agrees-to-expanded-access-program-for-mdma-assisted-psychotherapy-for-ptsd/Statement: Biden administration preparing for potential FDA approval of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD. (2022).https://maps.org/2022/07/27/statement-biden-administration-preparing-for-potential-fda-approval-of-mdma-assisted-therapy-for-ptsd/What are MDMA's effects on the brain? (2021).https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/mdma-ecstasy-abuse/what-are-mdmas-effects-on-brainWolfson, P. E., et al. (2020). MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for treatment of anxiety and other psychological distress related to life-threatening illnesses: A randomized pilot study.https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-75706-1FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Nicole Washington, DO, MPH — By Beth Sissons on September 29, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat is complex PTSD: Symptoms, treatment, and resources to help you copeMedically reviewed by Kendra Kubala, PsyD Complex post-traumatic stress disorder can develop when a person has experienced prolonged or repeated trauma. 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