MDMA therapy could rewire stress genes in PTSD patients
NCT ID NCT06189027
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This completed Phase 3 substudy looked at whether MDMA-assisted psychotherapy can change how stress-related genes work in people with PTSD. Researchers collected saliva samples from 45 participants before and after treatment to measure changes in gene activity. The goal was to see if these genetic changes are linked to improvements in PTSD symptoms.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- MDMA (also known as ecstasy) combined with psychotherapy
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could help explain how MDMA-assisted psychotherapy works at a genetic level, potentially leading to better treatments for PTSD.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small substudy with only 45 participants, looking at biological markers rather than direct treatment outcomes. The results may not apply to everyone with PTSD.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Univeristy of Southern California
Los Angeles, California, 90089, United States
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