'Third therapist in the room': Inside Israel's psychedelic trauma trial

An Israeli clinical trial is exploring the use of MDMA, referred to as "a third therapist in the room," to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans. The research, led by Dr. Anna Harwood-Gross and funded by the METIV Israel Psychotrauma Center, aims to address the significant portion of veterans for whom standard therapies are ineffective.

The trial, which involves eight-hour sessions with two therapists, music, and a lit candle, was initially paused in October 2023 when the war began. However, Harwood-Gross realized the urgency of studying trauma treatment during ongoing violence, recognizing that continuous traumatic stress is a reality in places like Ukraine, Sudan, and Nigeria, not just Israel. This realization prompted the research to resume.

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a third therapist in the room.

The study includes two arms: one utilizing MDMA-assisted therapy and another employing a rigorous talk-based method called SEAT. Harwood-Gross notes that MDMA acts as a powerful facilitator, but she also candidly acknowledges complexities. The oxytocin "love hormone" does not consistently track with dosage, and some patients undergoing drug-free therapy have shown results indistinguishable from those who took MDMA. With standard military-trauma therapy succeeding only about 40% of the time, this research is crucial for the remaining 60% of veterans carrying untreated wounds, some dating back to previous conflicts.

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studying trauma treatment during ongoing violence wasn't reckless but urgent, and not just for Israel, but for places like Ukraine, Sudan, and Nigeria, where continuous traumatic stress is the norm.