Ecstasy (MDMA) and magic mushrooms (psilocybin) are among the most promising PTSD treatments because they make psychotherapy work better. Psychotherapy is still the most effective PTSD treatment. Given as part of it, these drugs make people more open, so the brain rewires faster.
Summary: PTSD cases are rising around the world, yet there are very few treatments that work. So far, psychotherapy is the most effective way to manage it. New studies show MDMA or psilocybin may make psychotherapy work much better. Used as medicine or as part of PTSD treatment, these substances seem to make people more open to therapy. That helps the brain rewire faster.
Because of COVID and conflicts like the Ukraine war, PTSD is rising in the US and around the world. Yet current drugs still do not treat it well. Even when medicines help, they take a long time to work. So medicines are needed that work fast, work well and are safe.
Researchers are testing many treatments. But MDMA (“ecstasy”) and psilocybin (“magic mushroom”) now seem to be among the most promising. They seem to work fast and are especially good for PTSD when paired with psychotherapy. A recent study on their promise for PTSD was published in the journal European Neuropsychopharmacology.
These therapies are not meant to replace psychotherapy. They work better when paired with it. Talk therapy is still the most effective and safe way to manage PTSD. But adding MDMA or psilocybin may give much better results.
Some people seem to be prone to PTSD by nature. People with it develop serious problems like nightmares, unwanted thoughts, mood swings, avoidance and many other physical and emotional reactions. They sometimes find it hard to control these reactions, which can be disabling.
Researchers say psychotherapy is still the treatment of choice, since it is the only way to rewire the brain. But psychotherapy takes a long time and often costs a lot. That makes it hard to use on a large scale.
Of course, many other drugs are in development. But researchers say MDMA and psilocybin are among the most promising. It is vital to know that these drugs work mainly by boosting psychotherapy, not through their hallucinogenic effects. They may help people become more open to guidance from therapy. They also help the brain rewire better and faster.
Researchers have already done 4 larger clinical studies. In every one, pairing psychotherapy with psychedelics beat psychotherapy alone1.
Of course, “ecstasy” and “magic mushroom” are still substances of abuse. So their use in medicine is not legal. But things are changing fast as regulators see their benefits for PTSD. MDMA is expected to be approved for PTSD in a couple of years.
Doctors are very excited that MDMA may be approved for medical use. They think it will transform PTSD treatment. It will also open the door to testing these approaches in other mental health conditions. For example, there is already solid evidence that psychedelics work well for depression when used with psychotherapy.
If approved, doctors will have a powerful tool to rewire patients’ brains.
It is also worth knowing that a drug company created MDMA long ago. Back then, doctors tested it for other health problems, and it did not work well for them.
Doctors and regulators also seem to be changing their views on MDMA. Uncontrolled use may carry health risks. But used under medical supervision or in clinics, it is a very safe way to manage various mental health problems.
Frequently asked questions
How effective is MDMA for PTSD?
MDMA works best as a partner to psychotherapy, not a replacement for it. Researchers have finished four larger clinical studies. In every one, psychotherapy paired with a psychedelic did better than psychotherapy alone. The drug makes a person more open to therapy. So the brain rewires faster than it does with talk therapy alone.
What is the best drug for PTSD?
No drug on its own is the best PTSD treatment. Psychotherapy is still the treatment of choice because it is the way to rewire the brain. Current medicines are slow and often fall short. Of the drugs being tested, MDMA and psilocybin are among the most promising. They speed up and strengthen what therapy already does.
Does Molly treat PTSD?
Molly and ecstasy are street names for MDMA. By itself it does not cure PTSD. Its value comes from what it does during therapy. It helps a person take in guidance from therapy so the brain rewires faster. The benefit does not come from its hallucinogenic effects. Uncontrolled street use carries health risks. Medical supervision is what makes it safe.
Is MDMA therapy available in the US?
MDMA and psilocybin are still classed as substances of abuse, so their use in medicine is not legal. Regulators are changing their view as the benefits for PTSD become clear. When this report was written, MDMA was expected to win approval for PTSD within a couple of years. Until then, psychotherapy stays at the core of treatment.
Related reading
Psychedelic therapy for depression and PTSD · Magic Mushroom Pills for Mental Health Disorders · Erasing Traumatic Memories to Treat PTSD · Drug Addiction Treatment, St. Louis