What MDMA-Assisted Therapy Could Do for PTSD and Cost of Healthcare

Key TakeawaysAs growing research on MDMA-assisted therapy to treat PTSD reveals exciting potential, a new study focuses on its cost-effectiveness.The findings show that not only can the treatment improve and extend lives, it can also reduce healthcare costs.This information could help increase willingness of third-party payers to cover costs and improve access to treatment.

Key Takeaways

As growing research on MDMA-assisted therapy to treat PTSD reveals exciting potential, a new study focuses on its cost-effectiveness.The findings show that not only can the treatment improve and extend lives, it can also reduce healthcare costs.This information could help increase willingness of third-party payers to cover costs and improve access to treatment.

Whilemethylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)is still illegal in the United States, the body of research supporting its potential to treatpost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)is growing.

Building on a 2021Phase 3 trial, considered the final step in clinical drug testing before approval, which found MDMA-assisted therapy to be significantly safe and effective in treating severe, chronic PTSD,new research suggests that not only can MDMA-assisted psychotherapy improve and extend the lives of PTSD patients, it can also reduce healthcare costs.

Can MDMA Be Used to Treat PTSD?

The Research

Using data from MDMA-assisted therapy’s Phase 3 trial, researchers calculated mortality, expected medical costs and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for the treatment over 30 years. The findings, published inPLOS ONE,estimate that this choice in treatment for a cohort of 1000 hypothetical patients would prevent about 61 premature deaths while saving $132.9 million over the course of 30 years.

Steven Radowitz, MDThis is incredibly encouraging and can provide data to justify insurance companies' willingness to cover these powerful and life-changing treatments

Steven Radowitz, MD

This is incredibly encouraging and can provide data to justify insurance companies' willingness to cover these powerful and life-changing treatments

The background of study authorElliot Marseille, DrPH, MPPis in the economic evaluation of global health interventions; for example, the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS. Through a connection to theMultidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), he offered his economic expertise to aid in the approval process of MDMA therapy in Europe, then launched theGlobal Initiative for Psychedelic Science Economics (GIPSE)in an effort to provide rigorous economic analysis of these emerging therapies.

“I have long suspected that psychedelics, when used thoughtfully and in a safe environment, could have beneficial effects…” Marseille says. “I saw this as an opportunity to contribute to the effort to accelerate access to what already looked like a promising new therapy.”

Although studies to determine the long-term effects of MDMA-assisted therapy on PTSD are still currently in the works, those effects are still unknown. But for now, this type of treatment isn’t intended for long-term, ongoing use. The Phase 3 trial consisted of three sessions, whereas the Phase 2 trial consisted of two sessions. Researchers suggest the three-session regimen can provide incremental benefit.

“This is incredibly encouraging and can provide data to justify insurance companies' willingness to cover these powerful and life-changing treatments,” saysSteven Radowitz, MD, medical director of psychedelic wellness clinics networkNushama.

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The Cost of Care

The sticker price of MDMA treatments may seem high, notesScott Fisher, MDpsychiatric lead for psychedelic venture firmIter Investments, especially when considering the cost of the drug itself. But a lot of unseen preparation and expertise go into a session. According to Fisher, reaching the max benefit of a single session requires two highly trained therapists and 20-40 hours of preparation, dosing and integration sessions.

Without this framework, he says, the drug experience could be wasted or even harmful to patients.

“The cost-effectiveness of this treatment might not seem obvious to most, but our data shows the severe burden PTSD carries not only on the lives of those who suffer from the disorder but also in terms of cost for our healthcare system,” Fisher says.

Because MDMA-assisted therapy is psychotherapy-intensive, it can be costly upfront. This is why the researchers of this study are focused on translating its cost-effectiveness to third-party payers.

Elliot Marseille, DrPH, MPP

He points out that lessening the severity of an individual’s PTSD will not only lower psychiatric care costs, but general medical care costs, as well.

“We estimate that for 1000 patients, savings would approximate $133 million over 30 years,” Marseille says.

And going forward, researchers hope to tackle ways of further decreasing the cost of treatment regimens without sacrificing their effectiveness.

“For example, are two highly trained therapists really required for all sessions?” Marseille says. “Could at least some of the sessions be done in groups? Developing alternatives to the one client, two therapist model could be a way to reduce costs and increase access.”

Psychedelic-Based Therapy Blends Traditional and Alternative Treatments for Depression

Overall, psychedelic research is on the rise as individuals and mental health professionals seek out solutions to root problems, rather than just treatment to suppress symptoms. If MDMA-assisted therapy continues down the road to FDA approval, it will be another step toward prioritizing holistic mental health.

“This will be a massive shift in the way we approach mental health issues,” Radowitz says. “We have tools now to try to get to the seed level of people’s inner struggles. This treatment allows for a deep acceptance, positive processing, and reframing of challenging situations that are the source of most mental health conditions.”

What This Means For YouIf you or someone you know is struggling with symptoms of PTSD, it’s crucial tofind and/or talk to a therapistor mental health professional. Establishing this relationship will help you find the treatment that’s best for you.

What This Means For You

If you or someone you know is struggling with symptoms of PTSD, it’s crucial tofind and/or talk to a therapistor mental health professional. Establishing this relationship will help you find the treatment that’s best for you.

As Evidence For Treatment Potential Grows, So Has Psychedelic Legality

2 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mitchell JM, Bogenschutz M, Lilienstein A, et al.MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study.Nat Med. 2021;27(6):1025-1033. doi:10.1038/s41591-021-01336-3Marseille E, Mitchell JM, Kahn JG.Updated cost-effectiveness of MDMA-assisted therapy for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in the United States: Findings from a phase 3 trial. Yunusa I, ed.PLoS ONE. 2022;17(2):e0263252. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263252

2 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mitchell JM, Bogenschutz M, Lilienstein A, et al.MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study.Nat Med. 2021;27(6):1025-1033. doi:10.1038/s41591-021-01336-3Marseille E, Mitchell JM, Kahn JG.Updated cost-effectiveness of MDMA-assisted therapy for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in the United States: Findings from a phase 3 trial. Yunusa I, ed.PLoS ONE. 2022;17(2):e0263252. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263252

Mitchell JM, Bogenschutz M, Lilienstein A, et al.MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study.Nat Med. 2021;27(6):1025-1033. doi:10.1038/s41591-021-01336-3Marseille E, Mitchell JM, Kahn JG.Updated cost-effectiveness of MDMA-assisted therapy for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in the United States: Findings from a phase 3 trial. Yunusa I, ed.PLoS ONE. 2022;17(2):e0263252. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263252

Marseille E, Mitchell JM, Kahn JG.Updated cost-effectiveness of MDMA-assisted therapy for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in the United States: Findings from a phase 3 trial. Yunusa I, ed.PLoS ONE. 2022;17(2):e0263252. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263252

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Key Takeaways#

The Research#

Steven Radowitz, MD#

The Cost of Care#

Elliot Marseille, DrPH, MPP#

What This Means For You#