People with PTSD often experience fear or stress, even when they’re not in danger. Recent research suggests that an unconventional medicine, MDMA, may help relieve symptoms of PTSD. A study published in 2021 found that people with PTSD had significantly lower levels of oxytocin, a molecule that regulates anxiety and memories. MDMA stimulates brain cells to release more oxytocin, which could help those with PTSD. Clinical trials have found that MDMA, in combination with therapy, is an effective treatment for PTSD. After the trials, most of the participants were no longer diagnosable as having PTSD and several returned to work. Even three years after the treatment, it was still found to be effective. Studies have shown that combining MDMA with therapy can be an effective treatment for people with PTSD. MDMA appears to prime the brain for learning and change by reopening the critical period, when our brains are more adaptable to taking in new information and forging connections. In one study, mice were exposed to exposure-therapy while in this adaptable state, and the results showed that PTSD-like responses were stopped. Another study found that MDMA increases the activity of cells in the amygdala and releases oxytocin, which allows people to confront triggering experiences in a calmer state.
Although MDMA can be beneficial when used appropriately and in combination with traditional therapy, it should be noted that recreational use of MDMA can be dangerous as it can cause a buildup of serotonin and dopamine in the brain, leading to toxicity and damage to neurons.
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