Psychologists’ Attitudes Towards the Use of MDMA in Therapy May Be Shaped by Personal Experiences

Abstract

Objective MDMA-Assisted Therapy (MDMA-AT) has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of several mental health conditions, most notably post-traumatic stress disorder. To better understand what shapes the attitudes of healthcare professionals we investigated whether psychologists’ own experience with MDMA impacts the attitudes towards the therapeutic and recreational uses of MDMA.

Method The study involved 74 registered psychologists in Aotearoa New Zealand who participated in an anonymous online survey aimed at gathering data on their understanding of and attitudes towards the therapeutic and recreational uses of MDMA.

Results Nearly half of the surveyed professionals reported previous experience with MDMA, either recreationally or therapeutically. Noteworthy differences were identified in various aspects of attitudes between therapists with prior MDMA use and those without such experience. Overall, the surveyed psychologists expressed broadly favourable attitudes towards MDMA-AT.

Conclusion Consistent with previous studies, this research emphasises the imperative need for education grounded in scientific evidence and professional training on the therapeutic use of MDMA for practicing psychologists and other health professionals. Such education and training are essential for better understanding MDMA-AT, mitigating misinformation and decreasing stigma associated with it.