Scientific Research

Abstract

Comprehensive review of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD covering epidemiology and limitations of existing treatments, pharmacology and proposed mechanisms (prosocial effects, fear extinction, memory reconsolidation, critical period plasticity), clinical evidence from Phase II pooled analyses and the first Phase III trial (large effect sizes, remission rates), safety profile (transient cardiovascular and somatic effects, low incidence of serious adverse events), methodological challenges (blinding, expectancy, selection bias, demographic homogeneity), and future directions (scalability, protocol optimization, therapist training, ethical oversight, access and equity). The authors highlight promise for refractory PTSD alongside the need for rigorous long-term efficacy and safety data.