MDMA-Assisted Therapy

The compound 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, or MDMA, was first synthesized in Germany in 1912 by Merck chemist Anton Kollisch.  MDMA was virtually forgotten until 1976 when Bay Area chemist Alexander “Sasha” Shulgin re-synthesized it in his home laboratory.  This began an almost 10-year period where an estimated 4,000 professionals were using MDMA legally in their practices by the time the DEA outlawed MDMA in 1985 in an unfortunate overreaction to MDMA’s increased recreational use.  During that period, however, there was much evidence that indicated MDMA, when used as part of psychotherapy treatment, could have potentially powerful healing effects on PTSD and other mental health issues related to previous traumatic experiences. 

 

Since 1986, the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) has been funding research of the use of MDMA for the treatment of PTSD.  The research studies have now concluded and the FDA will be considering the approval of MDMA as a prescription medicine for PTSD treatment and a decision is expected sometime in 2024.  The results of the research were extremely positive in that an estimated 67% of participants no longer qualified for a PTSD diagnosis while 88% reported significant clinical benefits.  Most of these participants had tried conventional methods of treatment (psychiatric medications, psychotherapy, etc) for years and had not been successful.  The results also indicated that MDMA can be safely used in clinically supervised settings with pre-screened participants.

 

MDMA-assisted therapy consists of up to three 8-hour MDMA-assisted sessions along with twelve 90-minute non-drug sessions and the treatment takes place over several months.  The non-drug sessions initially focus on building trust and safety with the participant, learning about their PTSD history, and educating them on the effects of MDMA.  The remaining non-drug sessions focus on “integration” which is helping the participant increase their understanding of their unique healing process and the powerful experiences that they may have had during the MDMA-assisted sessions.  Throughout the process, the participant is supported and guided by a treatment pair of clinicians specially trained by MAPS in their MDMA-Assisted Therapy Training program as well as a trained physician that provides close medical monitoring and supervision. 

 

The Pearl Psychedelic Institute is one of only a very small number of sites in the United States approved to provide MDMA-assisted therapy through the FDA’s Expanded Access program.  This program provides access to an investigational treatment before FDA approval if that treatment has proven to be safe and effective and treats a life-threatening condition, such as PTSD.

 

Please refer to the Blog section on this website to learn more about MDMA-assisted therapy.