New Research: MDMA shows Protective Effects During Trauma & PTSD

A recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Haifa, Sheba Medical Center, and Tel Aviv University presents compelling evidence that MDMA can assist with trauma and PTSD symptoms both during and after a traumatic event.

The research was conducted on survivors of the 2023 Supernova Festival terrorist attack, which reignited the Israel/Gaza conflict, in conjunction with SafeHeart, a not-for-profit initiative created in the wake of the attack to provide support and emergency mental health services to its survivors. All participants volunteered to be part of the study.

Many survivors reported being under the influence of mind-altering psychoactive substances during the terror attack, which makes this an unprecedented event for psychoactive substance and trauma research. Investigating survivors of such traumatic events could offer new perspectives on how trauma is perceived and processed under these conditions. It could also enhance the current understanding of trauma's impact during the peritraumatic period—the moments before, during, and immediately after a traumatic event—and influence clinical outcomes. According to this study, there are no established knowledge regarding the immediate or long-term effects of experiencing trauma while under the influence of substances.

Data collection took place four to twelve weeks after the traumatic event (TE) in which researchers examined the immediate experiences and processing of trauma in 657 survivors of the terror attack. All participants in the study encountered events that meet the criteria outlined in Criterion A for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as defined in the DSM-5, the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. (The DSM-5 is a guidebook used by mental health professionals to diagnose and classify mental disorders).

Participants relayed information about the traumatic event (TE) and how they dealt with it afterward. The research's main areas of interest were divided in to three distinct time frames:

Effects of substances during trauma exposure: This refers to the influence of different substances (such as MDMA, other psychoactive substances, or no substances) on individuals' experiences and reactions during the traumatic event itself.

Effects of substances on peritraumatic processing: Peritraumatic processing involves the cognitive and emotional processing that occurs during and immediately after a traumatic event. The researchers investigated how different substances influenced this processing.

Effects of substances on current clinical state: This aspect focuses on the individuals' current psychological state, particularly in relation to symptoms of mental health disorders like PTSD. The researchers aimed to determine whether there were differences in clinical outcomes among individuals who were exposed to different substances during the trauma.

Participants were categorized into groups based on the substance that they reported being under during the attack. Those categories were:

Sixty-eight percent of the survivors reported consuming at least one substance during the festival, with many consuming multiple substances. Common combinations include cannabis or alcohol in addition to hallucinogens or MDMA. Notably, the majority of individuals (74.2%) consumed substances within three hours prior to the attack and reported being strongly under the influence when the attack began.

The researchers focused specifically on the impact of individuals strictly under the influence of MDMA due to its potential effectiveness in treating PTSD. By conducting separate analysis for each component of the study (called ANOVA: one-way Analysis of Variance), they analysed the data to determine if there were significant differences between groups regarding the effects of substances on trauma experiences, peritraumatic processing, and current clinical state, with a particular emphasis on the effects of MDMA.

The study revealed that survivors under the influence of MDMA showed improved coping across clinical and subjective measures, an effect previously unreported. Those who consumed MDMA reported that the substance aided them during the traumatic event more effectively than individuals who consumed other substances. Anecdotal reports suggest that MDMA might have provided survivors with the energy to navigate the traumatic situation more effectively. Additionally, MDMA was associated with improved processing during the peritraumatic period, with survivors reporting increased social support, more social interactions, and better sleep quality one to three months after the event. These effects were more pronounced in the MDMA group compared to those who consumed other substances or none at all.

It should be noted, however, that researchers admit there are possible biases in the data. First, there is a clear survivor bias, as data cannot be collected from the many people who did not survive the attack. Second, as in most studies, it is possible that survivors with more severe symptoms are underrepresented in the sample.

All that said, the findings suggest that MDMA's prosocial and therapeutic effects may aid trauma recovery by reducing PTSD symptoms, mental distress, and feelings of overwhelmingness, while also improving sleep quality. MDMA users showed enhanced social processing and better social coping after the traumatic event, leading to improved clinical outcomes. Interestingly, while MDMA's effects on sociality were not evident during the event, they became more pronounced afterward, indicating that its prosocial and fear-reducing properties may contribute to long-term clinical improvement.

The current results are part an ongoing long-term study that aims to understand how MDMA protects the brain and body, focusing on cognitive, physiological, and neural effects.

For the full detailed study click here.

Article written by Walter Juan.