MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

A Mixed-Methods Case Study of a Participant of Color From an Open-Label Trial

Bibliographic Data

ID9057908
AuthorsTerence H W Ching (0000-0002-8850-2237, University of Connecticut, Storrs, USA, corresponding author), M T Williams (0000-0003-0095-3277, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada), Sara J Reed (Minds iHealth Solutions, Inc., Louisville, KY, USA), Michael D Kisicki (Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA), Julie B Wang (0000-0001-7039-6061, MAPS Public Benefit Corporation, San Jose, CA, USA), Berra Yazar‐Klosinski (0000-0001-5972-006X, Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies), Berra Yazar-Klosinski (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), San Jose, CA, USA), Amy Emerson (0009-0001-5459-6538, MAPS Public Benefit Corporation, San Jose, CA, USA), Rick Doblin (0000-0001-7361-8168, Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), San Jose, CA, USA)
Year2024
Volume64
Issue4
Pages692-722
Publication date2024-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Humanistic Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-1678 • E-ISSN: 1552-650X
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/00221678221076993
OpenAlexW4210982168
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited46

MDMA (±3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine)-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) was shown in previous clinical trials to have promising efficacy and safety for alleviating treatment-resistant posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, due to low ethnoracial diversity, the question remains as to whether ethnoracial minority participants would benefit similarly. Thus, a mixed-methods case study was conducted on a participant of color from an open-label trial of MDMA-AT for PTSD to provide a culturally informed lens on symptom recovery with this treatment approach. An additional aim was to elucidate mechanisms of change underlying this treatment for the participant. A case profile was provided, documenting quantitative improvement in PTSD symptoms. This was followed by an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) of effects and mechanisms of action for this participant, based on integration session transcripts. Results of IPA indicated recurrent themes related to psychological mechanisms of symptom change, reduced PTSD symptoms, and additional effects (positive and negative) beyond PTSD symptom reduction. These themes were discussed and recommendations for attuning to culturally relevant material during MDMA-AT were provided

Ecstasy · MDMA · Posttraumatic stress · Psychiatry · Psychotherapist · Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research · Clinical Psychology · Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Study · Psychedelics and Drug Studies · Psychology

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