On estime que le syndrome de stress post-traumatique (PTSD) reste chronique et sévère pour 25 à 50 % des patients malgré une prise en charge psychothérapeutique. La MDMA (« ecstasy ») possèderait des propriétés psychopharmacologiques qui renforcent l’alliance thérapeutique et permettent au patient de travailler sur le contenu traumatique sans être submergé par la peur et l’anxiété. Les résultats d’essais cliniques de phase II confirment que la MDMA améliore efficacement la prise en charge psychothérapeutique des patients atteints de PTSD sans effets secondaires sérieux. Des essais de phases III sont en cours. La Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) a mis en ligne une proposition de méthode et forme des thérapeutes pour mener des psychothérapies assistées par la MDMA. La Food and Drug Administration (FDA) et l’European Medicines Agency (EMA) pourraient autoriser cet outil thérapeutique dans les prochaines années.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is estimated to remain chronic and severe for 25–50% of patients despite psychotherapeutic treatment. Part of the reasons is that patients with PTSD can have difficulties in establishing a good therapeutical alliance with the therapist. Moreover, they often fail to re-think the content of the trauma without being overwhelmed by negative emotions and tend to rely on avoidance strategies and/or to abandon the therapy. MDMA (“ecstasy”) is a drug classified as an entactogen (en “within”, tactus “touch”, and gen “produce”), an amphetamine with psychedelic properties that possesses psychopharmacological properties to overcome these issues. Indeed, MDMA triggers the release of oxytocin, which favors the establishment of interpersonal relationship based on kindness and trust. Moreover, MDMA diminishes the activity of the amygdale, allowing patients to work on challenging memories with less fear and anxiety. Finally, MDMA may also provide access to meaningful spiritual experiences, release of tensions and a sense of healing on a non-verbal level that are not completely understood. But are viewed as important by patients. Today, there is no evidence that the use of MDMA in a clinical setting has bad neurologic, psychological or cognitive consequences. Results of phase II trials in the United States and Europe confirm that MDMA favors psychotherapy's outcome without severe adverse effects. Phase III trials are underway. The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) has published online a method proposal and trains therapists in MDMA-assisted psychotherapy.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) could approve this therapeutic tool in the coming years.