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Updated June 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

RECRUITINGPhase 2INTERVENTIONAL

MDMA for AUD/PTSD Comorbidity

An Open Label, Phase 2, Single-arm Pilot Study to Investigate the Safety and Preliminary Effectiveness of MDMA-assisted Therapy in Veterans With Co-occurring Alcohol Use Disorder and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (AUD-PTSD)

MDMA for AUD/PTSD Comorbidity (NCT05943665) is a Phase 2 interventional studying Alcohol Use Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, sponsored by Carolina L Haass-Koffler. RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.

Important: This information is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

About This Trial

The study investigators are conducting the first open label pilot trial of MDMA-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) with a comorbid sample of military veterans with a comorbid diagnosis of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This novel experimental treatment package consists of two once-monthly Experimental Sessions of therapy combined with a divided-dose of MDMA HCl, along with non-drug preparatory and integrative therapy. The Primary Outcome measure, the Timeline Follow-back (TLFB), will evaluate changes in alcohol use over time. Changes in PTSD symptoms will also be evaluated.

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 2 trials evaluate whether a treatment actually works against Alcohol Use Disorder and continue monitoring side effects. Phase 2 enrolls larger groups (typically 100–300 patients) and produces the first real efficacy signal. A successful Phase 2 readout is what unlocks the much larger Phase 3 confirmatory trials needed for FDA approval.

This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.

With a target enrollment of 18 participants, this is a small study — typical of early-phase research, rare-disease trials, or pilot studies designed to generate preliminary signal before a larger study is launched.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Who May Qualify: 1. Are able to provide proof of veteran status. 2. Are fluent in speaking and reading English. 3. At Baseline, meet criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder as measured by the SCID-5. 4. Able to safely abstain from alcohol for at least 48 hours without requiring medical detox. 5. At Baseline meet DSM-5 criteria for current PTSD with a symptom duration of at least 6 months. 6. At Baseline, have a PCL-5 score of 33 or greater. 7. At Baseline, have a confirmed PTSD diagnosis per the CAPS-5 and a Total Severity Score of 28 or greater. 8. Are able to swallow pills. 9. Agree to have study visits recorded, including Experimental Sessions, assessments, and non-drug therapy sessions. 10. Able to provide a contact (relative, spouse, close friend, or other support person) who is willing and able to be reached by the investigators in the event of a participant becoming unwell or unreachable. 11. Able to identify appropriate support person(s) to stay with the participant on the evenings of the Experimental Sessions, see Section Support Person. Weight 12. Body weight of at least 45 kilograms (kg). Participants with a body weight of 45 to 48 kg must also have a body mass index (BMI) within the range of 18 to 30 kg/m2. Sex and Contraceptive/ Barrier Requirements 13. For participants assigned female sex at birth: - A participant is eligible to participate if not pregnant, not planning to become pregnant, or is not breastfeeding and one of the following conditions applies - Is not able to become pregnant ...See full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Are able to provide proof of veteran status. 2. Are fluent in speaking and reading English. 3. At Baseline, meet criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder as measured by the SCID-5. 4. Able to safely abstain from alcohol for at least 48 hours without requiring medical detox. 5. At Baseline meet DSM-5 criteria for current PTSD with a symptom duration of at least 6 months. 6. At Baseline, have a PCL-5 score of 33 or greater. 7. At Baseline, have a confirmed PTSD diagnosis per the CAPS-5 and a Total Severity Score of 28 or greater. 8. Are able to swallow pills. 9. Agree to have study visits recorded, including Experimental Sessions, assessments, and non-drug therapy sessions. 10. Able to provide a contact (relative, spouse, close friend, or other support person) who is willing and able to be reached by the investigators in the event of a participant becoming unwell or unreachable. 11. Able to identify appropriate support person(s) to stay with the participant on the evenings of the Experimental Sessions, see Section Support Person. Weight 12. Body weight of at least 45 kilograms (kg). Participants with a body weight of 45 to 48 kg must also have a body mass index (BMI) within the range of 18 to 30 kg/m2. Sex and Contraceptive/ Barrier Requirements 13. For participants assigned female sex at birth: * A participant is eligible to participate if not pregnant, not planning to become pregnant, or is not breastfeeding and one of the following conditions applies * Is not able to become pregnant * Is a person able to be pregnant (PABP) and using a contraceptive method that is highly effective, with a failure rate of \<1%. The investigator will evaluate the potential for contraceptive method failure (e.g., noncompliance, recently initiated) in relationship to the first does of study intervention. A PABP must have a highly sensitive negative urine pregnancy test at study entry and prior to each Experimental Session, see Schedule of Activities. The investigator is responsible for review of medical history, menstrual history, and recent sexual activity to decrease the risk for inclusion of a participant with an early undetected pregnancy. Informed Consent 14. Capable of giving signed informed consent, which includes compliance with the requirements and restrictions listed in the ICF and in this protocol. Other Inclusions 15. Agree to inform the investigators within 48 hours of any medical conditions and procedures. 16. May have asymptomatic Hepatitis C virus (HCV) that has previously undergone evaluation and treatment as needed. 17. Participants must have a plan, agreed upon by investigator, therapy team, and study clinician, to reduce use of substances and to manage symptoms without self-medicating. Enrollment will require that, in the judgment of the investigator, therapy team, and study physician, the plan for decreasing substance use is realistic and has a good chance of succeeding to prevent substance use from impacting the safety or efficacy of the investigational treatment. 18. May have a history of or current Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2) if additional screening measures rule out underlying cardiovascular disease, if the condition is judged to be stable on effective management, and with approval by the study clinician. 19. May have hypothyroidism if taking adequate and stable thyroid replacement medication. 20. May have a history of, or current, glaucoma if approval for study participation is received from an ophthalmologist. Exclusion Criteria: Medical Conditions 1. Have symptomatic liver disease or have significant liver enzyme elevations. * Alanine transaminase (ALT) or aspartate transaminase (AST) \> 3 x upper limit of normal (ULN). * Total bilirubin \> 1.5 x ULN or direct bilirubin \< 35%. 2. Current unstable liver or biliary disease per investigator assessment defined by the presence of ascites, encephalopathy, coagulopathy, hypoalbuminemia, esophageal or gastric varices, persistent jaundice, or cirrhosis. • Note: Stable chronic liver disease (including Gilbert's syndrome, asymptomatic gallstones, and chronic stable hepatitis B (e.g., the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen or positive hepatitis C antibody test result without evidence of active infection at screening or within 3 months prior to starting study intervention) is acceptable if the participant otherwise meets entry criteria. 3. Have a history of seizures or delirium tremens (DTs). 4. Significant alcohol withdrawal symptoms, defined as a Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment of alcohol scale, revised (CIWA-Ar) \>10. 5. Have a recent history of clinically significant hyponatremia or hyperthermia. 6. Have a marked Baseline QTcF interval \>450 ms demonstrated on repeated ECG assessments. Participants whose QTcF exceeds this value during screening may be initially enrolled if a pre-study concomitant medication is suspected to be prolonging the QT-interval. ECGs should be repeated after initial enrollment and tapering off the pre-study concomitant medication to ensure the participant meets eligibility criteria prior to enrollment confirmation and to IMP dosing. • Note: The QTcF is the QT interval corrected for heart rate according to Fridericia's formula. It is either machine-read or manually over-read. 7. Have a history of any medical condition that could make receiving a sympathomimetic drug harmful because of increases in blood pressure and heart rate. This includes, but is not limited to, a history of myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, heart failure, severe coronary artery disease, or aneurysm. * Participants with other mild, stable chronic medical problems may be enrolled if the study clinician and principal investigators agree the condition would not significantly increase the risk of MDMA administration or be likely to produce significant symptoms during the study that could interfere with study participation or be confused with side effects of the IMP. * Examples of stable medical conditions that could be allowed include, but are not limited to, Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), hypothyroidism (if taking adequate and stable thyroid replacement medication), glaucoma (if approval for study participation is received from an ophthalmologist). Any medical disorder judged by the investigator to significantly increase the risk of MDMA administration by any mechanism would require exclusion. 8. Have a diagnosis of controlled or uncontrolled hypertension, defined as repeated blood pressure readings of ≥ 140 millimeters of Mercury \[mmHg\] systolic or ≥ 90 mmHg diastolic. The diagnosis may be confirmed by repeated clinic measurements or home blood pressure monitoring if clinically indicated. 9. Have a history of ventricular arrhythmia at any time, other than occasional premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) in the absence of ischemic heart disease. 10. Have Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or any other accessory pathway that has not been successfully eliminated by ablation. 11. Have a history of arrhythmia, other than premature atrial contractions (PACs) or occasional PVCs in the absence of ischemic heart disease, within 12 months of screening. • Participants with a history of atrial fibrillation, atrial tachycardia, atrial flutter or paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia or any other arrhythmia associated with a bypass tract may be enrolled only if they have been successfully treated with ablation and have not had recurrent arrhythmia for at least one year off all antiarrhythmic drugs or are under adequate and stable pharmacologic treatment for atrial fibrillation for at least a year, as confirmed by a cardiologist. 12. Have a history of additional risk factors for Torsade de pointes (e.g., heart failure, hypokalemia, family history of Long QT Syndrome). 13. Exclusion criteria specific to MRI: non-removable ferromagnetic materials; claustrophobia; history of head trauma or injury. Psychiatric Conditions 14. Have engaged in a new form of psychiatric or mental health care within 12 weeks of enrollment, including Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and ketamine-assisted therapy. 15. Are currently prescribed antidepressant medications (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) requiring a medication taper. 16. Are currently prescribed antipsychotic medications. 17. Are likely, in the investigator's opinion and via observation during the Preparatory Period, to be re-exposed to their index trauma or other significant trauma or other significant trauma during the study. 18. Have a current moderate (not in early remission in the 3 months prior to enrollment and meets at least 5 of 11 diagnostic criteria per DSM-5) or severe cannabis use disorder within the 12 months prior to enrollment (meets at least 6 of 11 diagnostic criteria per DSM-5). • May have current mild cannabis use disorder (meets 3 of 11 diagnostic criteria per DSM-5) or moderate cannabis use disorder in early remission for the 3 months prior to enrollment (meets 4 or 5 of 11 diagnostic criteria per DSM-5). 19. Have an active substance use (other than cannabis) disorder at any severity within 12 months prior to enrollment. 20. Have used Ecstasy (material represented as containing MDMA) more than 10 times within the last 10 years or at least once within 6 months of the first Experimental Session 21. Any participant presenting current serious suicide risk, as determined through psychiatric interview, responses to C-SSRS, and clinical judgment of the investigator will be excluded; however, history of suicide attempts is not an exclusion. Any participant who is likely to require hospitalization related to suicidal ideation and behavior, in the judgment of the investigator, will not be enrolled. Any participant presenting with the following on the Baseline C-SSRS will be excluded: * Suicidal ideation score of 4 or greater within the last 6 months of the assessment at a frequency of once a week or more * Suicidal ideation score of 5 within the last 6 months of the assessment * Any suicidal behavior, including suicide attempts or preparatory acts, within the last 6 months of the assessment. Participants with non-suicidal self-injurious behavior may be included if approved by the study clinician. 22. Would present a serious risk to others as established through clinical interview and contact with treating psychiatrist. Prior/Concomitant Therapy 23. Require ongoing concomitant therapy with a psychiatric medication with exceptions described in protocol section on Concomitant Medications (refer to Appendix E: Permitted and Prohibited Medications). Therapy with SSRIs at baseline is allowed as long as approved by a physician to taper off before initiating the study procedures. 24. Current use of pharmacotherapies (i.e., naltrexone or disulfiram) to treat alcohol use. 25. Require use of concomitant medications that could prolong the QT interval during Experimental Sessions. 26. Are currently engaged in trauma-focused psychotherapy or are currently in a treatment program for SUD (self-help programs are not an exclusion). Prior/Concurrent Clinical Study Experience 27. Current enrollment in any other clinical study involving an investigational study treatment or any other type of medical research, unless approved by the study clinician. Diagnostic Assessments 28. Have a history of or a current primary psychotic disorder, bipolar affective disorder type I or dissociative identity disorder assessed via the DDIS and clinical interview. 29. Have a current eating disorder with compensatory behaviors. 30. Have current major depressive disorder with psychotic features. 31. Have current Personality Disorders (paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal, antisocial, borderline, histrionic, narcissistic, avoidant, dependent, obsessive-compulsive) assessed via the SCID-5-PD. Diagnoses will be confirmed by clinical interview. Other Exclusions 32. Are not able to provide adequate informed consent. 33. Sensitivity to any of the study interventions, or components thereof, or drug or other allergy that, in the opinion of the sponsor-investigator or study clinician, contraindicates participation in the study. 34. Are currently engaged in compensation litigation whereby financial gain would be achieved from prolonged symptoms of PTSD or any other psychiatric disorders. 35. Lack of social support or lack a stable living situation since the inclusion of a support person to assist the participant following Experimental Sessions is important for ensuring participant safety. If a participant is not able to identify a support person whom the research team may contact they will not be enrolled. 36. Previous participation in a MAPS-sponsored MDMA clinical trial. 37. Employees (and their immediate family members) of MAPS, MAPS Public Benefit Corporation, or MAPS Europe B.V; or individuals in a personal relationship with the sponsor investigator. 38. Have any current problem which, in the opinion of the sponsor-investigator or study clinician, might interfere with study participation.

Treatments Being Tested

DRUG

MDMA

medication and therapy combined

Locations (1)

Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.

Brown University
Providence, Rhode Island, United States

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT05943665), the sponsor (Carolina L Haass-Koffler), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.

Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.

Authoritative Sources

The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCT05943665 clinical trial studying?

The study investigators are conducting the first open label pilot trial of MDMA-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) with a comorbid sample of military veterans with a comorbid diagnosis of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This novel experimental treatment package consists of two once-monthly Experimental Sessions of therapy combined with a divided-dose of MDMA HCl, along with non-drug preparatory and integrative therapy. The Primary Outcome measure, the Timeline Follow-back (TLFB), will evaluate changes in alcohol use over time. Changes in PTSD symptoms will also be… The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Who can participate in NCT05943665?

Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.

How do I contact the trial site for NCT05943665?

Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.

Is participating in a clinical trial safe?

Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.

Where can I verify the data on this page?

Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.

How This Page Is Built

Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT05943665. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT05943665. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."

Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

Last updated 2026-06-07 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.