FDA on MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy
This page discusses the FDA's rejection of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy and summarizes the rationale given for further research. It also reviews MDMA's history, reported therapeutic uses, and MAPS' response to the decision.
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This page reviews the FDA’s decision not to endorse MDMA-assisted psychotherapy and explains that the agency asked for more research before a future review. It places the decision in the context of psychedelic-assisted therapies and mental health treatment. The page also outlines MDMA’s history, including its legal therapeutic use before 1985 and its later role in both recreational use and psychotherapy. It describes reported effects in supervised therapy, such as reduced symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety. A final section summarizes MAPS president Rick Doblin’s response and the organization’s long-term work on reducing stigma, generating evidence, and educating the public about psychedelic-assisted therapies. The content is informational and is most relevant to readers interested in psychedelic policy, psychotherapy, and mental health research.
Who is this for?
Learners seeking an overview of FDA decisions, MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, and the current regulatory context for psychedelic-assisted therapies.
About the Provider
The Integrative Mental Health University (IMHU) is a nonprofit continuing education platform founded by Emma Bragdon PhD in 2013, offering accredited courses for mental health professionals on psychedelic-assisted therapy, spiritual emergence, and integrative healing modalities. IMHU serves clinicians seeking to incorporate psychedelic therapy and spiritual emergency response into their professional practice.
View Integrative Mental Health University profileCourse Details
- PricePrice on request
- FormatSelf-paced
- Lifecycle statusDiscontinued
- SkillsFacilitationPsychotherapyMDMA-Assisted TherapyReviewing the history and therapeutic context of MDMAUnderstanding FDA review contextInterpreting psychedelic-assisted therapy researchReviewing MDMA history and useSummarizing MAPS' public responseRecognizing reported therapeutic outcomesReviewing the historical context of MDMA useInterpreting MAPS' response to regulatory decisionsReviewing the historical use of MDMA in therapeutic contextsSummarizing MAPS' response and advocacy effortsSummarizing MDMA’s history and clinical context
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