Two psychiatrists in New Zealand have received approval to prescribe pharmaceutical-grade MDMA to individuals with severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This approval, granted by New Zealand’s pharmaceutical regulatory body Medsafe, makes the country the second in the world to officially approve the drug for treating PTSD, following Australia’s approval in 2023. Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour emphasized that PTSD can be devastating and challenging to treat, but that MDMA, when used in psychedelic-assisted therapy, has shown promise in helping patients heal. He noted that New Zealand is committed to exploring innovative treatments for mental health conditions. PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after someone experiences or witnesses a traumatic event, such as death, combat, or sexual assault. It often leads to symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and emotional distress. While traditional treatment options for PTSD in the United States have been limited to two antidepressants—both of which require several months of use to take effect and have shown mixed success rates—new research is exploring alternative approaches. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rejected legalizing MDMA’s medicinal use in 2024, citing insufficient evidence of its safety and effectiveness. However, a study conducted in Israel last year suggested that individuals who took MDMA at the Nova music festival—where hundreds were killed in the 7 October attacks—found the drug helpful in mitigating the psychological impact of the trauma they endured. This has sparked further interest in the potential therapeutic benefits of MDMA for PTSD. In New Zealand, the Ministry of Health clarified that MDMA-assisted treatment would be used in combination with psychotherapy and would only occur in a controlled clinical setting under the supervision of an authorized psychiatrist. The ministry emphasized that patients would not be given the drug to take home and that treatment would be part of a broader, comprehensive care plan. Additionally, any patients receiving this treatment would need to be at least 18 years old.