The psychotherapeutic potential of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine): an evidence-based review

Abstract

There are a number of issues which need to be addressed before it can be argued that MDMA might be clinically useful for psychotherapy.

Deteriorating Cost-Benefit Ratios for Ecstasy/MDMA with Repeated Usage

“…This agrees with Degenhardt et al [2] who noted: 'At the individual level, many of those who experiment find the effects aversive and do not persist'. It also confirms the variance in mood reactions to MDMA [3][4][5], and the adverse mood states afterwards [6]. The universal decline in positive ratings with repeated Ecstasy, was consistent with previous reports of decline in efficacy [7], and is consistent with chronic pharmacodynamic tolerance [8].…”

Cortisol and 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine: Neurohormonal Aspects of Bioenergetic Stress in Ecstasy Users

“…Herbert et al [78] noted that although most changes in cortisol were detrimental, they were sometimes beneficial. In a similar way, while many ecstasy/MDMA users report psychobiological problems [23,26] , benefits are also mentioned [116,117] . In an Internet investigation of 200 ecstasy users, the self-reported gains included a more positive outlook on life and being more open-minded.…”

Untitled

“…As stated in the introduction, the potentially harmful psychological and physical consequences caused by the recreational use of club drugs by some EDM participants (Baggott & Mendelson, 2001;GouzoulisMayfrank & Daumann, 2006;Henry & Rella, 2001;Holland, 2001b;Jansen, 2001;Kavanaugh & Anderson, 2008;Parks & Kennedy, 2004;Parrot, 2004Parrot, , 2007Sanders, 2006;Thomasius et al, 2006) have been widely researched, and then emphasized and sensationalized by the media and governments. In the 1990s, laws were passed that allowed authorities to increasingly criminalize EDM participation, as well as to control and prevent informal EDM events and heavily regulate more official events (Anderson, 2014;Hunt et al, 2007;Kavanaugh & Anderson, 2008;Sanders, 2006;Sylvan, 2005;Takahashi & Olaveson, 2003).…”

“…While the potentially harmful psychological and physical consequences caused by the recreational use of club drugs by some EDM participants are real (Baggott & Mendelson, 2001;Gauthier, 2005;Gouzoulis-Mayfrank & Daumann, 2006;Henry & Rella, 2001;Holland, 2001b;Jansen, 2001;Kavanaugh & Anderson, 2008;Parks & Kennedy, 2004;Parrot, 2004Parrot, , 2007Sanders, 2006;Thomasius et al, 2006), they have also been sensationalized by media, government, and public health perspectives which simplistically view the rave scene as a war on drugs issue (Hunt, Evans, & Kares, 2007). Meanwhile, a postmodern perspective dominated initial scholarly literature on EDM culture (Melechi, 1993;Redhead, 1993;Rietveld, 1993).…”