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Home/Research/MDMA/Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

MDMA for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

17 papers and 3 clinical trials exploring mdma as a treatment for alcohol use disorder (aud).

Compoundempathogen

MDMA

MDMA is a synthetic empathogen that enhances monoamine release, producing prosocial and anxiolytic effects without frank hallucinosis. Two Phase III trials demonstrated significant PTSD symptom reductions, though FDA review raised concerns about blinding, durability, and safety characterisation.

Full MDMA profile
IndicationOver 100 million cases worldwide, making AUD the most common substance use disorder.

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a prevalent condition characterised by an inability to control alcohol consumption despite adverse consequences. Emerging research indicates that psychedelics may offer promising therapeutic avenues for treating AUD, with various compounds showing potential in clinical trials.

Full Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) profile

Academic Research

17 papers
Paywallindividual

Psilocybin in alcohol use disorder and comorbid depressive symptoms: Results from a feasibility randomized clinical trial

In this double‑blind, randomised pilot trial of recently detoxified patients with severe alcohol use disorder and comorbid depression, two 25 mg psilocybin‑assisted psychotherapy sessions (versus 1 mg control) were feasible, acceptable and safe. At 12 weeks the 25 mg group showed higher abstinence (55% vs 11%) and significant reductions in percent drinking days and craving frequency, although blinding was imperfect and the study was small and preliminary.

Published
July 24, 2025
Journal
Addiction
Authors
Luquiens, A., Belahda, D., Graux, C., Igounenc, N., Serrand, C., Rochefort, P., Mura, T., Sergent, F.
Open Accessindividual

MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for AUD: Bayesian analysis of WHO drinking risk level and exploratory analysis of drinking behavior and psychosocial functioning at 3 months follow-up

In an open‑label feasibility study of 14 recently detoxified participants, Bayesian analysis estimated a 55–63% probability that MDMA‑assisted psychotherapy produced a two‑level reduction in WHO drinking‑risk at 3‑month follow‑up, with preliminary reductions in alcohol craving and improvements in sleep and psychosocial functioning. The paper frames a harm‑reduction endpoint for AUD and provides early evidence that MDMA‑assisted psychotherapy may improve quality of life alongside reduced drinking.

Published
June 9, 2025
Journal
Alcohol and Alcoholism
Authors
Thurgur, H., Sessa, B., Higbed, L., O'brien, S., Durant, C., Wilson, S., Szigeti, B., Morgan, C. J. A., Nutt, D. J.
Open Accessindividual

Self-compassion mediates treatment effects in MDMA-assisted therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder

This secondary analysis (n=82) of a Phase III RCT of MDMA-assisted therapy found significant improvements in both uncompassionate self-responding and compassionate self-responding across all six Self-Compassion Scale subscales, most with large effect sizes. Changes in self-compassion fully mediated the reductions in PTSD severity and depressive symptoms observed with MDMA-AT versus placebo plus therapy, though no significant effects were seen for alcohol or substance use outcomes.

Published
May 7, 2025
Journal
European Journal of Psychotraumatology
Authors
Agin-Liebes, G. I., Zeifman, R. J., Mitchell, J.
Open Accessindividual

Nature-themed video intervention may improve cardiovascular safety of psilocybin-assisted therapy for alcohol use disorder

In a pilot randomised controlled trial of 20 participants with alcohol use disorder, viewing a nature-themed "Visual Healing" video during preparation and the ascent/descent phases of 25 mg psilocybin sessions was feasible, safe and well tolerated. Compared with standard procedures (eyeshades and music), Visual Healing significantly attenuated peak post‑psilocybin blood pressure increases while producing similar psychedelic effects and reductions in alcohol use.

Published
September 18, 2023
Journal
Frontiers in Psychiatry
Authors
Heinzerling, K. G., Sergi, K., Linton, M., Rich, R., Youssef, B., Bentancourt, I., Bramen, J., Siddarth, P., Schwartzberg, L., Kelly, D. F., Ahmed, S.
Open Accessindividual

The Effects of MDMA-Assisted Therapy on Alcohol and Substance Use in a Phase 3 Trial for Treatment of Severe PTSD

This trial (n=90) assessed patterns of alcohol and substance use in patients receiving MDMA-assisted therapy. MDMA was associated with a significant reduction in Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) scores when compared to placebo. Changes in Drug Use Disorder Identification Test (DUDIT) scores did not significantly differ between groups.

Published
February 8, 2022
Journal
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
Authors
Nicholas, C. R., Wang, J. B., Coker, A., Mitchell, J., Klaire, S. S., Yazar-Klosinski, B., Emerson, A., Brown, R., Doblin, R.
Paywallmeta

Human behavioral pharmacology of psychedelics

This commentary (2021) provides an overview of the human behavioural pharmacology of the classic psychedelic; psilocybin, LSD and DMT. Special considerations when conducting human research with psychedelics are discussed as well as the subjective, physiological, and clinical effects of these substances.

Published
January 1, 2022
Journal
Advances in Pharmacology
Authors
Strickland, J. C., Johnson, M. W.

Clinical Trials

3 trials
RecruitingPhase II

MDMA-assisted Prolonged Exposure Therapy for Comorbid Alcohol Use Disorder and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (MPATHY)

This Phase II interventional trial (n=120) explores the effectiveness of MDMA-assisted (80–160 mg per session, with possible supplemental doses) prolonged exposure therapy (COPE) versus niacin control in individuals with comorbid PTSD and alcohol use disorder.

Started
September 19, 2023
Type
interventional
Blinding
double
Randomized
Yes
Registry ID
NCT05709353
RecruitingPhase II

MDMA for AUD/PTSD Comorbidity (MDMA)

This open-label, Phase II trial (n=18) will investigate the safety and preliminary effectiveness of MDMA-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) in military veterans with co-occurring Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Started
September 1, 2023
Type
interventional
Blinding
none
Randomized
No
Registry ID
NCT05943665
Unknown statusPhase II

Open-Label Proof of Concept Feasibility Study to Explore the Safety, Tolerability and Potential Role of MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Detoxified Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder

Open-label proof-of-concept feasibility study (n=20) assessing safety, tolerability, and acceptability of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy (oral MDMA capsules) in detoxified patients with alcohol use disorder.

Started
January 3, 2017
Type
interventional
Blinding
none
Randomized
No
Registry ID
2016-002547-42

Explore further

Search all MDMA papers Search all Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) trials Full MDMA profile Full Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) profile