The Science of MDMA Its Therapeutic Uses: Benefits Risks, Huberman Lab Podcast

In this episode, I discuss methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), which is also commonly known as ecstasy or molly, including how it works in the brain to cause short and long termshifts in emotional processing and its clinical applications for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcohol and other substanceuse 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 postMDMA crash, the evolving legal landscape around MDMA use for clinical purposes, and I caution recreational users about the extremely dangerous additives 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, PTDS