MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD: Growing evidence for memory effects mediating treatment efficacy

The application of MDMA in conjunction with psychotherapy has in recent years seen a resurgence of clinical, scientific, and public interest in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Clinical trials have shown promising safety and efficacy, but the mechanisms underlying this treatment form remain largely unestablished. This article explores recent preclinical and clinical evidence suggesting that the treatment's efficacy may be influenced by the mnemonic effects of MDMA. We review data on the effects of MDMA on fear extinction and fear reconsolidation and the utility of these processes for PTSD treatment. We corroborate our findings by incorporating research from cognitive psychology and psychopharmacology and offer recommendations for future research.

Automated summary

The use of MDMA in conjunction with psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has gained renewed interest in recent years. Although clinical trials have shown promising results, the mechanism underlying this treatment is still unclear. This article explores the potential influence of MDMA's mnemonic effects on the efficacy of the treatment, based on recent preclinical and clinical evidence. The findings are corroborated by research from cognitive psychology and psychopharmacology, and recommendations for future research are provided.