MDMA-Assisted Couples Therapy May Help The Treatment Of PTSD

The latest in the long line of substance studies focused on the effects of drugs as treatment links the positive use of MDMA in couples therapy and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The research found a remarkable set of positive results when testing the efficacy of Cognitive Behavioural Conjoint Therapy (CBCT)— a couples therapy tailored to those with PTSD and their partners. The programme consists of a two-session (no pun intended) format with assisted MDMA use and led to a growth in both relationship and patient happiness.

Previous studies have revealed that close relationships play an important role in the development and recovery of PTSD. The latest research has now further enhanced the findings through the use of MDMA.

The seven-week-long course covered fifteen CBCT sessions with MDMA assisting the fifth and eleventh.

During these sessions, both partners were given MDMA. A soundtrack of relaxing music was then introduced, which alternated between conversation and reflection.

Both partner reports unearthed some incredible findings. The key result being an improvement in post-traumatic growth which coincided with a decrease in psychological aggression, improved physical functioning and heightened empathy.

Intimacy also heightened during the MDMA-assisted sessions.
Study author, Anne C Wagner has called for a larger scale study based on the findings of the controlled sample size.