There is no convincing evidence that moderate MDMA use is associated with structural or functional brain alterations in neuroimaging measures .
MDMA ( " ecstasy " ) is widely used as a recreational drug , although there has been some debate about its neurotoxic effects in humans .
However , most studies have investigated subjects with heavy use patterns , and the effects of transient MDMA use are unclear .
In this review , we therefore focus on subjects with moderate use patterns , in order to assess the evidence for harmful effects .
A randomized, controlled pilot study of MDMA (±3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine)-assisted psychotherapy for treatment of resistant, chronic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Psychiatrists and psychotherapists in the US ( 1970s to 1985 ) and Switzerl and ( 1988–1993 ) used MDMA legally as a prescription drug , to enhance the effectiveness of psychotherapy . Early reports suggest that it is useful in treating trauma-related disorders . Recently , the first completed pilot study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD yielded encouraging results . Design ed to test the safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy in patients with treatment-resistant PTSD ; our r and omized , double-blind , active-placebo controlled trial enrolled 12 patients for treatment with either low-dose ( 25 mg , plus 12.5 mg supplemental dose ) or full-dose MDMA ( 125 mg , plus 62.5 mg supplemental dose ) .  MDMA was administered during three experimental sessions , interspersed with weekly non-drug-based psychotherapy sessions . Outcome measures used were the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale ( CAPS ) and the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale ( PDS ) . Patients were assessed at baseline , three weeks after the second and third MDMA session ( end of treatment ) , and at the 2-month and 1-year follow-ups . We found that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy can be safely administered in a clinical setting . No drug-related serious adverse events occurred . We did not see statistically significant reductions in CAPS scores ( p = 0.066 ) , although there was clinical ly and statistically significant self-reported ( PDS ) improvement ( p = 0.014 ) . CAPS scores improved further at the 1-year follow-up . In addition , three MDMA sessions were more effective than two ( p = 0.016 )
There is no convincing evidence that moderate MDMA use is associated with structural or functional brain alterations in neuroimaging measures .
MDMA ( " ecstasy " ) is widely used as a recreational drug , although there has been some debate about its neurotoxic effects in humans .
However , most studies have investigated subjects with heavy use patterns , and the effects of transient MDMA use are unclear .
In this review , we therefore focus on subjects with moderate use patterns , in order to assess the evidence for harmful effects .