Pedram Dara - Improving Impact of MDMA-assisted Therapy for PTSD: Participant Perspectives 4 Yrs on

MDMA-assisted psychotherapy remains an emerging treatment for PTSD with substantial potential to help survivors regain their lives. However, participant perspectives four years after initial phase 2 clinical trials highlight specific areas for improvement regarding trial design and long term care. Improving clinical protocols means prioritizing human-centered design, integrating rigorous training and supervision for therapists, and expanding access to ongoing community and peer-support networks for patients and their families. Effective PTSD treatment necessitates moving beyond standard clinical metrics. Participants express a need for more nuanced, personalized care that accounts for individual trauma histories and socioeconomic realities. This includes extending integration support beyond the clinical trial period and refining therapeutic models to better support long-term recovery and meaningful life changes, rather than merely treating PTSD symptoms.