MDMA-assisted couples therapy may improve patients ’ PTSD recovery , a recent study has found .
MDMA is the main psychoactive substance found in ecstasy – a controversial Class A drug popularised by 90s rave culture .
The drug is known to lower inhibitions and enhance feelings of empathy .
Researchers in the study tested the efficacy of a type of couples therapy called Cognitive Behavioural Conjoint Therapy ( CBCT ). The therapy is tailored to individuals with PTSD and their partners .
Six couples took part in 15 CBCT sessions over seven weeks . The sessions included strategies for increasing communication and tools for coping with thoughts linked to their trauma .
The participants also had two MDMA-assisted sessions following the fifth and 11th CBCT sessions . In these sessions , both partners were given MDMA and then listened to relaxing music , reflected on their feelings and talked with their partner .
Participants were assessed on five occasions before , during and after the study . The assessments included questionnaires measuring relationship quality and the patient ’ s post-traumatic growth .
The PTSD patients showed improvements to their posttraumatic growth , according to reports by both the patients and their partners . Improvements included increased empathy and lower psychological aggression .
The partners themselves also showed improvements in how they responded to the PTSD patients , making them less likely to reinforce PTSD symptoms .
Both groups also reported increased intimacy and increased relational support that endured after the study had concluded .
The researchers concluded :
“ These outcomes […] suggest that couple therapy with MDMA may indeed be well suited for a range of couple-related concerns beyond PTSD , particularly those that are relational in nature .
By targeting individual and relational functioning simultaneously , this intervention has the potential to maximize recovery from trauma and enhance present living for those with PTSD and their loved ones .”
FDA
‘
BREAK- THROUGH THERAPY
’
In 2017 , the FDA declared MDMAassisted psychotherapy was a ‘ Breakthrough Therapy ’ for posttraumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ).
This status is designed to help speed up the development of a drug that has shown clinical potential for treating a serious condition substantially better than currently available treatments .
Meanwhile , UK researchers are exploring whether MDMA therapy could help patients overcome alcohol addiction .
Patients were enrolled on an 8-week course of therapy and received two sessions , each with a 187.5 mg dose of pharmaceuticalgrade MDMA .
Results from a safety and tolerability study published in February found that the drug was well-tolerated and no adverse effects were reported .
Dr Ben Sessa of Awakn Life Sciences who led the study said :
“ This is the first clinical study into the potential effectiveness of MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy as a treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder . It provides preliminary support for the safety and tolerability of MDMA post detox .
Awakn is now designing further trials to examine better the therapeutic potential of MDMA .”
97