Review of otential sychedelic reatments for PTSD

Jun 14, 2022Journal of the neurological sciences

Possible psychedelic treatments for PTSD

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Abstract

MDMA-assisted therapy has shown significant improvement in PTSD symptoms in recent human-subject studies.

MDMA-assisted psychotherapy is currently in FDA phase III clinical trials for PTSD.
The mechanism of action for MDMA may involve increased empathy and decreased activation of the amygdala during therapy.
Classical psychedelics like psilocybin have not been clinically studied for PTSD but show potential for trials based on preliminary evidence.
Studies conducted to date have been relatively small and involved participants screened for co-morbidities that could increase treatment risks.
MDMA-assisted therapy is associated with a good safety profile and manageable side effects.

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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating mental illness with limited treatment options and a high treatment dropout rate. Psychedelics, often in combination with psychotherapy, are now under investigation as a potential treatment option for a variety of psychiatric conditions including PTSD. This paper reviews the proposed mechanism of action for 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and classical psychedelics such as psilocybin in treating PTSD, along with available clinical evidence, safety and side effects. MDMA-assisted psychotherapy is in FDA phase III clinical trials for PTSD and is purported to work by way of increased empathy and decreased amygdala activation during the therapeutic encounter and trauma processing. Classical psychedelics may create change by a subjective transformative experience along with an observable process of brain network alterations, though these substances have not been clinically studied in the context PTSD. In recent human-subject studies MDMA-assisted therapy resulted in significant improvement in PTSD symptoms with a good safety and side effect profile. There is not yet direct clinical evidence for classical psychedelics in treating PTSD, but the evidence supports such a trial. The studies to date have been relatively small, and participants are wellscreened for potential co-morbidities which could increase the risks of psychedelic treatment. Nonetheless, the data is promising for psychedelic-assisted treatment to become a much-needed treatment option for PTSD.

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Review of otential sychedelic reatments for PTSD

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