A couple months ago, I interviewed a psychedelics expert about MDMA’s promise for treating PTSD. He mentioned in passing that MDMA’s ability to spark good moods, loving feelings, and honest communication could make it a good fit for another part of the mental-health world: couples therapy. I was intrigued, so I started talking with researchers, therapists, and couples who have tried using MDMA (also known as ecstasy) to strengthen their relationships. I learned that, as one researcher put it, there’s already a “subculture” of people using MDMA not as a club drug, but as a relationship aid—and for many of them, it seems to work. By fostering open, non-defensive communication, MDMA can help couples understand each other better and move on from old conflicts. Don’t get too excited, though. For one thing, recreational MDMA use is still illegal in the U.S. And, like any drug, MDMA isn’t risk-free—to your health or your relationship. Sometimes, therapists told me, the drug offers clarity that leads not to marital bliss, but to breakups or divorces. That's not necessarily a bad outcome, at least as far as therapists are concerned, but it might not be a couple's ideal scenario. |
