Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common mental health condition that begins after exposure to a traumatic event. Despite recommended various therapeutic approaches, including both pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, treatment is not as effective as expected. Over recent years the pharmaceutical industry has not been able to offer a new approach, founded on multiple mechanisms of action. That is why a part of researchers focused on psychoactive substances synthesized years ago and then banned. These days MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of PTSD clinical trials are conducted, and due to previous results, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted a breakthrough therapy designation. In this article, we present the mechanism of actions, the therapeutic rationale, applied psychotherapeutic methods, and potential dangers. If ongoing phase 3 studies are completed and clinical efficacy criteria are achieved, the FDA could approve the treatment as early as 2022.
Highlights
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), classified as an entactogen for its unique effects related to greater social attachment, closeness and empathy, was synthesized in the early 20th century by Merck pharmaceutical company as an intermediate for the production of a hemostatic drug
Sometimes it is mistakenly assumed that this substance was banned in 1985 due to numerous incidents that were dangerous to the life and health of patients, while these measures were taken to prevent potential access to 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), the production intermediate of which MDMA is. 21st century brought some changes by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), a non-profit organization focusing its activities on the use of psychoactive substances in medicine, and a return to research on the psychotherapeutic potential of methylenedioxymethamphetamine [1]
The aim of this paper is to sum up available information about mechanism of action, effectiveness and safety of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) used in the treatment of treatment-resistance post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Summary
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), classified as an entactogen for its unique effects related to greater social attachment, closeness and empathy, was synthesized in the early 20th century by Merck pharmaceutical company as an intermediate for the production of a hemostatic drug. Shulgin, noticing the healing potential in MDMA, decided to introduce it to a psychotherapist who used psychedelic substances in his practice, Leo Zeff, who began to use this compound in practice. Sometimes it is mistakenly assumed that this substance was banned in 1985 due to numerous incidents that were dangerous to the life and health of patients, while these measures were taken to prevent potential access to 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), the production intermediate of which MDMA is. 21st century brought some changes by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), a non-profit organization focusing its activities on the use of psychoactive substances in medicine, and a return to research on the psychotherapeutic potential of methylenedioxymethamphetamine [1] Sometimes it is mistakenly assumed that this substance was banned in 1985 due to numerous incidents that were dangerous to the life and health of patients, while these measures were taken to prevent potential access to 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), the production intermediate of which MDMA is. 21st century brought some changes by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), a non-profit organization focusing its activities on the use of psychoactive substances in medicine, and a return to research on the psychotherapeutic potential of methylenedioxymethamphetamine [1]
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