The early use of MDMA (‘Ecstasy') in Psychotherapy (1977–1985)

Passie, Torsten

doi:10.1177/2050324518767442

Cited by 116Psychedelics and Drug StudiesHistorical Psychiatry and Medical PracticesPsychotherapy Techniques and Applications

The early use of MDMA (‘Ecstasy') in Psychotherapy (1977–1985)

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Passie, Torsten·2018·Drug Science Policy and Law

DOI 10.1177/2050324518767442

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Abstract

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), also known as ecstasy, was first synthesized in 1912 but first reached widespread popularity as a legal alternative after the much sought-after recreational drug 3,4-methylenedioxy-amphetamine (MDA) was made illegal in 1970. Because of its benign, feeling-enhancing, and nonhallucinatory properties, MDMA was used by a few dozen psychotherapists in the United States between 1977 and 1985, when it was still legal. This article looks into the contexts and practices of its psychotherapeutic use during these years. Some of the guidelines, recommendations, and precautions developed then are similar to those that apply to psychedelic drugs, but others are specific for MDMA. It is evident from this review that the therapists pioneering the use of MDMA were able to develop techniques (and indications/counterindications) for individual and group therapy that laid the groundwork for the use of MDMA in later scientific studies. In retrospect, it appears that the perceived beneficial effects of MDMA supported a revival of psycholytic/psychedelic therapy on an international scale.

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MDMA functions as a stimulant and results in subjective effects including altered responses to social stimuli and experience of social emotion, including heightened feelings of empathy, love, and compassion.
“MDMA also functions as a stimulant and results in subjective effects including, most relevant to this paper, altered responses to social stimuli and experience of social emotion, including heightened feelings of empathy, and feelings of love (27) and compassion (28).”
From MDMA-Assisted Therapy as a Means to Alter Affective, Cognitive, Behavioral, and Neurological Systems Underlying Social Dysfunction in Social Anxiety Disorder (2021) · cites this paper as [28]
Anecdotal reports of early therapists using MDMA indicated that clients often report greater ease in relating in both close and more distant relationships for weeks or months afterwards.
“Anecdotal reports of early therapists using MDMA indicated that clients often report greater ease in relating in both close and more distant relationships for weeks or months afterwards (28).”
From MDMA-Assisted Therapy as a Means to Alter Affective, Cognitive, Behavioral, and Neurological Systems Underlying Social Dysfunction in Social Anxiety Disorder (2021) · cites this paper as [28]
Anecdotal reports of MDMA-AT sessions suggest that MDMA increases self-compassion and self-acceptance.
“In addition, anecdotal reports of MDMA-AT sessions suggest that MDMA increases self-compassion and self-acceptance (28, 110).”
From MDMA-Assisted Therapy as a Means to Alter Affective, Cognitive, Behavioral, and Neurological Systems Underlying Social Dysfunction in Social Anxiety Disorder (2021) · cites this paper as [28]

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Early Use in Psychotherapy
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The Toxicity Debate
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The effect of MDMA administration on oxytocin concentration levels: systematic review and a multilevel meta-analysis in humans
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A meta-analytic analysis of the acute effects of MDMA on empathy and emotion recognition in humans
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Permanentny uśmiech – analiza środków i narzędzi wzmocnienia afektywnego
Litwin, P., & Gunia, A. (2022) · Avant · doi:10.26913/avant.202211 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Rise of a Recreational Drug
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The Scheduling
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MDMA as a Dance Drug
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Geschichte der Anwendung von Psychedelika
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Creating Greater Safety in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Spaces
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MDMA, Internal Family Systems therapy, and the Minnesota model in the resolution of C-PTSD-induced alcohol and diazepam addiction—A retrospective case studyPreprint
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Ethnography Of A Novel Remote Use Of An MDA CeremonyPreprint
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Ayahuasca in the treatment of bipolar disorder with psychotic features–A retrospective case studyPreprint
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MDMA
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Psychoactive substances in psychotherapy - A vision for the future? – A systematic review on PsilocybinPreprint
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Une nouvelle prise en charge innovante dans le traitement des troubles de stress post-traumatique : la thérapie assistée par MDMA, approche historique et analyse des protocoles actuels
Dellanoce, F., Dubus, Z., Vidal, M., Vigourt, C., & Rabeyron, T. (2023) · Pratiques Psychologiques · doi:10.1016/j.prps.2023.06.002
Copyright Page
Passie, T. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780198867364.002.0003
Self-citation
The Research of Alexander T. Shulgin
Passie, T. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780198867364.003.0005
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Recent Developments
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Pioneers and Studies
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MDMA and the Military
Passie, T. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780198867364.003.0003
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The Popularization
Passie, T. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780198867364.003.0007
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The British Rave Boom
Passie, T. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780198867364.003.0011 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
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The Early History of MDMA
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Preface
Passie, T. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780198867364.002.0005
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History of the Names of MDMA
Passie, T. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780198867364.005.0001
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Abbreviations
Passie, T. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780198867364.002.0008
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Introduction
Passie, T. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780198867364.003.0001
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Epigraph
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Role of Microglia in 3, 4 Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) -Induced Neurotoxicity: A Mini Review
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Corrigendum to: Introduction to the chemistry and pharmacology of psychedelic drugs
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Introduction to the EMBARK Approach
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Preparation Sessions
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Bringing It Home and Carrying It Forward
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Considerations Prior to Meeting With a Participant
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INTRODUCTION: A New Approach for the Whole Person
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Working Within the EMBARK Domains Cheat Sheet
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Medicine Sessions
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Therapist Aims Cheat Sheet
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An Overview of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
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Authors: Passie, T.
Affiliations: Goethe University Frankfurt (DE)
Corresponding author: Passie, Torsten
ORCID: Passie, Torsten
Venue: Drug Science Policy and Law
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Published: 2018-01
Volume: 4
ISSN: 2050-3245 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1177/2050324518767442
OpenAlex: W2797335301
Cited by: 116
References: 29
Citations by year: 2026: 5 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 28 · 2023: 35 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 2
FWCI: 5.29
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: bronze
doi.org
Licence: journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations: Drug Science Policy and Law (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychedelics and Drug Studies
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Historical Psychiatry and Medical Practices
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
Keywords: MDMA, ecstasy, psychotherapy, psychedelic therapy, history of psychotherapy, group therapy, individual psychotherapy, 1970s, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine

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The early use of MDMA (‘Ecstasy') in Psychotherapy (1977–1985)

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