A recent analysis by UCLA Health suggests that MDMA-assisted therapy could potentially improve treatment outcomes for military personnel experiencing a range of trauma-related conditions, not limited to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The research indicates that the therapy may enhance self-esteem, facilitate social connections, and increase the brain's adaptability.
The review paper was authored by Walter Dunn, an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at UCLA Health. Published in the journal NeuroRehabilitation, it explores how service members who sustain neurological injuries during training or combat can face emotional and cognitive challenges that complicate their recovery. These issues are prevalent even when PTSD is not present.
Dunn, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and a staff psychiatrist at the Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, highlighted the abrupt transition faced by young and healthy service members from active duty to potential medical discharge. This shift can lead to feelings of isolation and self-doubt, which may hinder neurorehabilitation efforts.
Clinical trials have shown that MDMA-assisted therapy can improve patient tolerance to treatment and reduce dropout rates among those with PTSD. Dunn believes these effects could also benefit service members undergoing rehabilitation for other conditions by fostering better relationships between therapists and patients through enhanced social reward mechanisms.
Dunn pointed out that while no studies have directly examined MDMA's impact on therapeutic alliances in neurorehabilitation contexts, its potential benefits include countering low self-esteem and promoting better coping strategies. He emphasized the need for further research into MDMA's effects on neuroplasticity in humans.
Despite promising findings, the U.S. Federal Drug Administration rejected an application for using MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD in August. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency currently classifies MDMA as a Schedule I narcotic due to its high abuse potential and lack of accepted medical use.
Dunn served on the FDA’s independent advisory board reviewing this application and was the sole member advocating approval based on safety and efficacy considerations. "By its very nature, military service involves exposure to stressful and adverse experiences," Dunn stated. "It is an inherently dangerous profession. This reality highlights the critical need for a sustained commitment to developing new treatments to support those who serve in the armed forces."
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