Realize your future with TMU Graduate Studies
![PhD alumna Dr. Anne Wagner](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/wagner_anne_310.jpg)
Treating PTSD with MDMA
Dr. Anne Wagner
Psychology MA and PhD alumna, professor and founder of Remedy
Dr. Anne Wagner is investigating a new way to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – using the drug MDMA and Cognitive Behavioural Conjoint Therapy (CBCT), a psychotherapy developed by her postdoctoral fellowship supervisor Dr. Candice Monson. Dr. Wagner is leading a pilot study on PTSD treatment for individuals using Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and MDMA, funded by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (external link) (MAPS).
What is MDMA and why is it effective in treating PTSD?
MDMA is the active ingredient in ecstasy and what we’re using is a pure version of the molecule. MDMA is a really fascinating substance in terms of treatment for PTSD because it allows people to sit with emotions and experiences that they would normally turn away from.
How would you rate your TMU graduate education?
TMU has been completely instrumental and very supportive of all the work I’ve done, from my Psychology MA and PhD to my postdoctoral fellowship and beyond. At TMU, the idea of moving forward, innovating, pushing outside the box are all really encouraged. So the fact that I’ve always got a next idea or a next project has been supported, and my mentors have been amazing around that.
What is Remedy?
Remedy (external link) is a mental health innovation community that I incubated at the Social Ventures Zone after finishing my postdoc at TMU. It’s a combination of things. It’s a clinical practice, so we see clients here. We run research out of here. And as a social venture, we support the community by reinvesting profits back into research and innovation.
What are your thoughts on the recent resurgence of psychedelic medicine?
Since the backlash against psychedelics in the ’60s, there has been a lot of misinformation and fear surrounding these substances. It’s been a long, slow process but thanks to the excellent work by MAPS and other researchers over the last few decades, we have seen that psychedelics such as psilocybin and MDMA are extremely useful tools for treating end-of-life anxiety, depression and PTSD, as well as fostering personal exploration and growth.
Photo: Meera Paleja
"At [TMU], the idea of moving forward, innovating, pushing outside the box are all really encouraged."
![South Asian man with long black hair, glasses and orange vest with embroidered flowers standing with arms crossed in front of steel Ring sculpture on TMU campus](/content/dam/graduate/future-students/our-people/cyrus-sundar-singh-ring-310.jpg)
‘The journey continues to be amazing’
Cyrus Sundar Singh, Communication and Culture PhD student and Documentary Media MFA alumnus
![Kittie Pang, MHA(CC) student](/content/dam/graduate/images/pang-kittie-310.jpg)
Shaping the future of health care
Kittie Pang, Master of Health Administration (Community Care) student
![TMU graduate alumna Jenny Duffy](/content/dam/graduate/images/2019/duffy_jenny_310.jpg)
A new look at the world’s oldest profession
Jenny Duffy, master’s alumna, Philosophy & Public Policy and Administration
![Graduate student and Trudeau Scholar Nathaniel Brunt](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/brunt_nathaniel_310.jpg)
Making black-and-white more grey
Nathaniel Brunt, Communication and Culture PhD student and Trudeau Scholar
![Three graduate students wearing hard hats on construction site](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/building_science_310.jpg)
Supporting women through building science
Building Science master's students
![Graduate student with drone at the Ontario Science Centre](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/hanna_dalia_310.jpg)
Using drones to locate people with dementia
Dalia Hanna, Computer Science PhD student
![Grad student with building models and blueprints](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/ferguson_matthew_310.jpg)
Building sustainability into architecture
Matthew Ferguson, Architecture master's student
![Ella Dubinsky, Psychology MA student, holding guitar](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/grant_david_310.jpg)
Flipping the script on Black men's pain
David Grant, Master of Social Work alumnus
![Female grad student standing in front of Queen's Park](/content/dam/graduate/images/2017/illesinghe_vathsala_310.jpg)
Standing up for immigrant women
Vathsala Illesinghe, Policy Studies PhD student
![Graduate alumna Adrienne Smith](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/smith_adrienne_310.jpg)
Giving refugees a second chance
Adrienne Smith, Immigration and Settlement Studies MA alumna
![MBA-MTI alumnus Mauricio Meza demonstrates Tecla-e to user Neil Mercer](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/mauricio_meza_310.jpg)
Opening possibilities with inclusive tech
Mauricio Meza, MBA-MTI alumnus
![Kate McKenzie and male marathon contestant running on road in Afghanistan](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/mckenzie_kate_310.jpg)
Secret marathon meets social change
Kate McKenzie, Master of Digital Media alumna
![Jake Pyne, Master of Social Work, sitting on couch](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/pyne_jake_310.jpg)
Transgender research meets transformed lives
Jake Pyne, Master of Social Work
![Steve Naraine holding cannabis plant](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/naraine_310.jpg)
Cannabis research meets new potential
Steve Naraine, Molecular Science MSc
![Noura Sakkijha, Ted Rogers MBA](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/sakkijha_noura_310.jpg)
Jewelry business meets digital disruption
Noura Sakkijha, Ted Rogers MBA
![Dr. Colin Robert Phillips in his office using a computer Dr. Colin Robert Phillips in his office using a computer](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/robert_phillips_310.jpg)
City issues meet the big picture
Dr. Colin Robert Phillips, Policy Studies PhD
![Dr. Michael Kolios and graduate student in hospital imaging lab](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/kolios_choose_mdb_20151111_159896_310.jpg)
Cancer research meets better patient care
Dr. Michael Kolios, Professor and Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies, Faculty of Science
![Jacky Au Duong with fellow graduate student in classroom](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/jacky_choose_ryerson_310.jpg)
Professional passion meets real-world opportunities
Jacky Au Duong, Master of Professional Communication
![Dr. Amira Abdelrasoul in engineering lab](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/amira_supervisors_310.jpg)
Inspirational faculty meets innovative research
Dr. Amira Abdelrasoul, Chemical Engineering PhD
![Maayan Ziv in a hallway in RCC](/content/dam/graduate/images/Ryerson-university-graduate-maayan-ziv.jpg)
Entrepreneurship meets accessibility
Maayan Ziv, Master of Digital Media alumna
![Adedoyin Adesemowo at Toronto Beaches boardwalk](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/adesemowo_adedoyin_310.jpg)
Life-changing experience meets long-term success
Adedoyin Adesemowo, MBA-MTI
![Réal Carrière talking with professor in TMU Quad](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/carriere_real_310.jpg)
Ancient traditions meet empowered youth
Dr. Réal Carrière, Policy Studies PhD