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PsiloAtlas

Research by condition

PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder. Most research has used MDMA; ibogaine has an early open-label study, and controlled psilocybin evidence is limited.

PsiloAtlas editorial · AI-assisted research summary. Not clinical or medical review. How we research and review

First published · Last substantive update

What each study tested

Each study is listed with the substance it tested. Results for one substance do not apply to another.

MDMA

Mitchell et al., Nature Medicine, 2021

Design
Phase 3, randomized, double-blind trial of manualized therapy with MDMA or placebo, plus three preparation and nine integration sessions.
Who took part
90 adults with severe PTSD.
Findings
PTSD symptom scores fell more with MDMA-assisted therapy than with placebo-assisted therapy two months after the last session.
Limitations
Participants could often tell which drug they received. Not an approved treatment.

Ibogaine

Cherian et al., Nature Medicine, 2024

Design
Open-label observational study of ibogaine given with magnesium under heart monitoring, in Mexico.
Who took part
30 US special-operations veterans with traumatic brain injury.
Findings
Participants reported reduced PTSD symptoms after treatment.
Limitations
No control group, small sample, and ibogaine carries known heart-rhythm risks.

Approval and access, by substance

Research results are not the same as approved or available treatment.

MDMA

Not approved by the FDA for PTSD, and listed in federal Schedule I. It is not part of Oregon's or Colorado's psilocybin programs. Access is limited to clinical research.

Sources: US Code of Federal Regulations, 21 CFR 1308.11 (Schedule I)

Ibogaine

Not approved by the FDA, and listed in federal Schedule I. The study above was conducted in Mexico. Ibogaine is not part of Oregon's or Colorado's regulated healing-center programs. See the Legal section for country-specific status.

Sources: US Code of Federal Regulations, 21 CFR 1308.11 (Schedule I)

Psilocybin

Not approved by the FDA for any use, and listed in federal Schedule I. Legal adult access in the US exists through Oregon's licensed service centers and Colorado's licensed healing centers, and through clinical trials. Those state programs are not medical treatment programs and do not diagnose or treat conditions. Some countries have separate legal pathways; see the Legal section.

Sources: US Code of Federal Regulations, 21 CFR 1308.11 (Schedule I); Oregon Health Authority, Oregon Psilocybin Services; Colorado Natural Medicine Division, accessing regulated natural medicine

Next steps

General information, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before any treatment, especially if you take medication or have heart or mental-health conditions.