The Science of MDMA & Its Therapeutic Uses: Benefits & Risks

In this episode, I discuss Methyl​enedioxy​methamphetamine (MDMA),
which is also commonly known as “ecstasy” or “molly,” including how
it works in the brain to cause short- and long- term-shifts in
emotional processing and its clinical applications for the
treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcohol and
other substance-use addictions. I discuss the neuronal mechanisms
for how MDMA elevates mood, empathy, motivation, social engagement,
and reduces “threat detection” and how these effects can
synergistically support talk therapy. I also explain the ongoing
debate about the potential neurotoxicity of MDMA, myths about the
origins and treatments for post-MDMA “crash,” the evolving legal
landscape around MDMA use for clinical purposes, and I caution
recreational users about the extremely dangerous additives (e.g.,
fentanyl) now commonly found in black market MDMA. This should be
of interest to those curious about MDMA, neuropharmacology, the
origins of emotional processing in the brain, empathy, PTSD,
neuroplasticity, mental health and psychiatry. For the full show
notes, visit hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1:
https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT:
https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up:
https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous:
https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) MDMA
“Ecstasy” (00:04:54) Sponsors: LMNT & Waking Up (00:08:18) MDMA
History & Synthesis; Legality (00:14:45) MDMA, Methamphetamine
(Meth), Dopamine & Serotonin (00:23:30) MDMA vs Psychedelics vs
Ketamine (00:26:54) MDMA & Serotonin 1B Receptor, Subjective
Feelings, Trauma (00:30:12) Sponsor: AG1 (00:34:51) Amygdala &
Threat Detection, Pro-Social Behavior, MDMA Dosages (00:45:48)
Interoception, MDMA & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
(00:52:36) Long-Term Effects, Threat Detection & PTSD
(00:56:14) MDMA, Social Connection & Empathy; Meth, SSRIs
(01:07:22) Oxytocin & MDMA (01:16:10) Safety &
Neurotoxicity; Recreational Use, Caffeine & Fentanyl (01:26:36)
Is MDMA Neurotoxic?; Poly-Pharmacology, Body Temperature (01:37:07)
Post-MDMA “Crash”, Prolactin & P‑5‑P (01:43:07) PTSD &
Trauma; Talk Therapy, SSRIs (01:54:09) PTSD Treatment: Talk Therapy
+ MDMA (02:02:46) MDMA & Addiction; Dissociative PTSD &
Empathy (02:09:47) Side-Effects?, MDMA Efficacy & Legality
(02:15:22) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple
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