Where PTSD treatment is heading
Post-traumatic stress disorder · Updated Nov 12, 2026
Trauma-focused talk therapy works best, and only two medicines are approved, both more than twenty years old. The FDA turned down two new treatments in 2024 and 2025. A relative of MDMA and psilocybin are now in phase 3 trials.
- 512studies open or running
- 22of them in phase 3
- 1,794papers published this year
- 35NIH-funded projects
-
Now
Nov 2026
FDA turned down MDMA therapyHappened
Despite strong trial results, the FDA asked for another phase 3 trial.
FDA turned down a pill combinationHappened
Brexpiprazole with sertraline was rejected in September 2025 for insufficient evidence.
Methylone on a fast FDA trackHappened
A relative of MDMA received a priority voucher and is in phase 3.
-
6 months
by May 2027
An eye-tracking test for PTSDPossible
A 1,900-person study of a tool that reads eye responses to help diagnose PTSD reaches its completion date.
Nerve block trial reportsLong shot
A small Canadian trial of an anesthetic injection in the neck, called a stellate ganglion block.
-
12 months
by Nov 2027
Lavender oil capsule trialPossible
Silexan against placebo in 278 people in Australia finishes in May 2027.
HB-1 mid-stage resultPossible
An experimental drug tested in 200 people finishes in September 2027.
-
3 years
by late 2029
Methylone phase 3 resultsLikely
Two 300-person trials finish in December 2027 and February 2028.
Psilocybin phase 3 resultPossible
A 300-person trial in PTSD finishes in November 2028.
First new PTSD medicine in over 20 yearsPossible
If methylone's trials are positive, the priority voucher means a fast review.
-
5 years
by late 2031
Ketamine added to intensive therapyPossible
A 350-person trial of ketamine alongside a week-long therapy program finishes in 2030.
MDMA therapy returns to the FDALong shot
A new phase 3 trial succeeds and the application is refiled.
The research paths
MDMA, its relatives and psilocybin
Details and 4 trialsHide
Supervised dosing sessions that aim for lasting change after a few doses. Methylone is furthest along after MDMA's rejection.
WatchWhether trials can keep people from knowing what they received.
- Methylone (EMPOWER-1)Transcend Therapeutics · 300 people · enrolling Dec 2027
- Methylone (EMPOWER-2)Transcend Therapeutics · 300 people · enrolling Feb 2028
- Psilocybin (Redefine)Compass Pathways · 300 people · enrolling Nov 2028
- MDMA therapy for veteransUS Department of Veterans Affairs · 80 people · enrolling May 2030
Conventional pills
Details and 2 trialsHide
The one combination near approval was rejected. Smaller trials of other pills continue.
WatchAny pill with two consistent positive trials.
Boosting talk therapy
Details and 2 trialsHide
Giving a drug around therapy sessions to make the therapy work faster or better.
WatchThe ketamine trial, the largest.
Tests and devices
Details and 2 trialsHide
An objective test for PTSD, and software prescribed as treatment.
WatchWhether the eye-based test matches expert diagnosis.
Borrowed from other conditions
From MDMA research
Methylone
Phase 3
A shorter-acting chemical relative of MDMA, given without a structured therapy program.
From Depression research
Psilocybin
Phase 3
After two positive depression trials, now in a phase 3 trial for PTSD.
From Anesthesia and depression
Ketamine
Phase 2
Given alongside an intensive week of therapy.
From Blood pressure treatment
Propranolol
Phase 3
A beta blocker given while a traumatic memory is recalled, to weaken its emotional charge.
From Anesthesia
Stellate ganglion block
Small trials
A numbing injection near a nerve cluster in the neck, long used for arm pain.
Open to join now
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Adults with PTSD
Methylone (EMPOWER-1)
Locations and eligibility → -
Adults with PTSD
Psilocybin (Redefine)
Locations and eligibility → -
Adults with PTSD
HB-1
Locations and eligibility → -
Adults with PTSD
Methylone (EMPOWER-2)
Locations and eligibility → -
Adults with PTSD, Australia
Lavender oil capsule
Locations and eligibility →
See every recruiting PTSD trial →
When the trials finish
Completion dates the trials registered. Results usually follow 3 to 12 months later.
- Heating up
- Maturing
- Early
- Cooling
- Fully enrolled, waiting on results
- Still enrolling
Knowledge on the way
Not treatments yet: detection, causes and how care is delivered. Mostly NIH-funded.
- AreaQuestionFunded throughNews likely
- Causes How inflammation affects unlearning fearNorthern California Institute for Research and Education · NIH Funded through Oct 2028 News likely 2027–2028
- Risk PTSD and dangerous heart rhythmsEmory University · NIH Funded through Jun 2027 News likely 2027–2028
- Causes Brain circuits that store and replay fear memoriesIndiana University · NIH Funded through Jun 2031 News likely 2028–2031
What just happened
Methylone given FDA priority voucher
Shortens review once an application is filed.
FDA rejects brexpiprazole with sertraline
Insufficient evidence of effectiveness.
FDA rejects MDMA-assisted therapy
Asked for an additional phase 3 trial.
Standard treatment today
- First choiceTrauma-focused talk therapy: prolonged exposure, cognitive processing therapy or EMDR.
- MedicinesSertraline or paroxetine, the only two approved. Venlafaxine is also used.
- NightmaresPrazosin is sometimes used, with mixed evidence.
How to read this page, and sourcesHow to read this page, and sources
- In psychedelic trials most people can tell whether they got the drug, which was central to the MDMA rejection.
- A priority voucher speeds review. It does not make approval more likely.
- Completion dates are what each trial registered. Results usually follow 3 to 12 months later.
- Forecasts are editorial judgments by Find a Trial, not predictions from sponsors or regulators.
See PTSD trials recruiting now →