MDMA – hopes and fears associated with therapeutic use in mental disorders

Abstract

MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a psychoactive substance classified as a hallucinogen. MDMA acts in the brain through a variety of neurochemical mechanisms, reducing anxiety, giving a sense of oneness with other people, expanding empathy, sharpening the senses and intensifying the experience of emotions. Therefore, the use of the MDMA assisted psychotherapy is being considered in selected disorders, such as Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and in treatment of alcoholic addition. Although the recreational use of ecstasy may lead to numerous life-threatening side effects, data available in the literature suggest that psychoactive substances may be safely administered in clinical settings. This article aims to review current research on the MDMA assisted psychotherapy. The first part of the article concludes data on MDMA assisted psychotherapy from available clinical trials. The second one sums up hopes and fears associated with the administration of MDMA in clinical settings that were discussed in the current clinical discourse. It seems that further studies are needed to determine the long-term safety and effectiveness of MDMA assisted psychotherapy.