MDMA THERAPY

Endurance sports demand discipline, perseverance, and a high pain tolerance. At the same time, they also entail specific mental strains, such as performance pressure, injury, overtraining, and sometimes a sports culture in which “being strong” seems more important than asking for help. A new scientific article from Brazil explores how endurance athletes think about mental health and the potential therapeutic use of psychedelics, including MDMA. The findings are interesting, particularly because they do not concern “what works,” but rather knowledge, attitude, and the need for support.

What exactly did this article investigate?

The researchers combined a concise conceptual overview with a cross-sectional questionnaire study among Brazilian endurance athletes. A total of 28 participants took part. They answered questions about mental health, the use of supplements, medication, and psychoactive substances, and about their perceptions of psychedelics and psychedelic therapies.

It is important to emphasize: this study did not test a treatment and did not measure effectiveness. Therefore, it does not show whether psychedelics or MDMA “help” athletes, nor does it say anything about causal relationships. Its value lies primarily in identifying needs, stigma, and knowledge gaps.

Anyone wishing to read the research in detail can do so via the source: Endurance athletes are open to psychedelic therapy, but lack knowledge and mental support..

Mental support is often lacking in the sports environment.

One of the most striking findings is that 64 percent of participants indicated a lack of mental health support in their sports environment. This does not automatically refer to “too little therapy,” but can also mean: no safe space to discuss stress, little psycho-education, few coaches with mental skills, or a culture in which mental health issues are quickly dismissed as weakness.

In addition, 29 percent reported depression or anxiety. In this small sample, women reported pharmacological treatment for depression or anxiety more often than men. Due to the limited size (n=28), it is not advisable to draw major conclusions from this, but it does fit a broader observation: mental health in sports is often present, but not always visible.

Open attitude towards psychedelic therapy, provided it is supervised

Despite the lack of knowledge, many participants were relatively open to psychedelic therapy if it were offered legally and under supervision. In the group, 11 percent had used psychedelics before, while 79 percent indicated they were open to psychedelic therapy under the conditions of legality and supervision.

That nuance is important. The interest does not seem to be so much about “using substances,” but rather about the desire for a professional context involving screening, guidance, and aftercare. This aligns with how MDMA-assisted therapy is viewed in the scientific community: not as a standalone substance, but as part of a carefully structured treatment with preparation and integration.

Major knowledge gaps and persistent misconceptions

The research also shows that knowledge is lagging behind. For instance, 61 percent of the participants were unaware that scientific research exists into psychedelics for mental disorders. Possible physical effects (such as anti-inflammatory or analgesic properties that are investigated in some contexts) were also largely unrecognized. This does not necessarily have to be “wrong,” but it does illustrate that many ideas about psychedelics are fragmented, based on media, hearsay, or isolated experiences.

A second important point concerns misconceptions about risks. In this study, 78 percent believed that psychedelics are addictive. That is a broad statement that lacks context. Addiction risks vary greatly depending on the substance, setting, frequency, and vulnerability of the user. With MDMA, for example, there is generally no classic physical dependence like with some other substances, but there are real risks, such as overheating, dehydration or water intoxication, interactions with medication, and possible negative aftermath such as depression or anxiety. Some people can also experience mental dysregulation, certainly without screening and proper guidance. It is therefore too simplistic to say “addictive” or “not addictive,” but the authors’ conclusion is understandable: there is a need for targeted, evidence-based education.

What does this mean for MDMA, trauma, and therapy?

The article lists MDMA among substances with therapeutic potential (alongside psilocybin, DMT, and LSD), but it makes no statements regarding specific applications for endurance athletes. It is therefore incorrect to conclude from this study that MDMA is “suitable for sports stress” or “works against performance pressure.” However, the research does touch upon a broader theme that frequently recurs in MDMA therapy: people want help but lack reliable information and a safe context.

Scientific research into MDMA-assisted therapy focuses primarily on guidance, set and setting, screening, and subsequent integration. For themes such as trauma, this framing is particularly important because intense emotions and memories may surface. This does not mean that MDMA is a solution for everyone, or that it is without risk. It primarily means that “therapy” is something different from “use.”.

There is also a clear practical and legal reality: MDMA sessions can currently only be discussed within scientific research or in clinical practice via harm reduction. In a harm reduction context, the focus is on limiting risks and making choices that are as informed as possible, not on making medical claims or promising outcomes.

Harm reduction: what helps with an informed choice?

If endurance athletes (or others) are curious about psychedelic therapy, this research primarily shows where the initial gains lie: basic knowledge and mental support. Harm reduction often begins with down-to-earth questions, such as: what is your intention, what is your current mental capacity, what support do you have, and which risks are relevant to you?

Some harm-reduction principles that recur in much of our education include: not combining with other substances, taking sleep and recovery into account, being alert to medication interactions, and not relying on anecdotes as a substitute for professional information. For endurance athletes, there may be additional considerations: sport-specific factors such as heat regulation, hydration, and recognizing signs of overload. These are not guarantees or personal advice, but they are examples of the types of topics discussed in proper guidance.

If you are seeking support: guidance and an intake are important

The core message of the research is not that psychedelics are the solution, but that many athletes lack mental support while simultaneously being open to new forms of help, provided they are professional and safe. This could also mean investing first in regular mental counseling, psychoeducation, or a sports psychologist. If psychedelics are considered at all, they are part of a broader approach rather than a quick intervention.

Anyone wishing to explore a guided MDMA session within a harm reduction framework can register, if it feels appropriate, via https://mdmatherapie.nl/aanmelden-mdma-sessie/. Such a registration is not a treatment in itself, but a starting point to discuss questions and to see whether guidance would be responsible and appropriate at all.

Conclusion

This small Brazilian study (n=28) shows that many endurance athletes experience a lack of mental support and that, at the same time, there is a striking openness to psychedelic therapy, subject to conditions of legality and supervision. The biggest obstacles appear to be not only access, but also knowledge and misconceptions regarding risks and effects. For MDMA, this primarily means that clear, evidence-based information and careful supervision are essential, and that conclusions regarding effectiveness in athletes cannot be drawn based on this study.