Pathways for MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy Across Europe

The European Platform for Integration of MDMA in Mental Health Care (EPIC)

EPIC is an independent convening initiative that brings together clinical, scientific, and policy expertise to support informed dialogue on MDMA-assisted psychotherapy and its implications for posttraumatic stress disorder, mental health care, and regulation within European health systems. We are active at the EU level in Brussels, engage directly with Member States advancing relevant best practices such as the Czech Republic and the Netherlands, and cooperate with partners in Ukraine through regular travel and on the ground engagement, including in frontline regions carrying the heaviest PTSD burden.

Executive Team

  • Viktor Chvátal Director, EU Policy & Regulatory Affairs

    Viktor Chvátal

    Director, EU Policy & Regulatory Affairs

  • Eric Vermetten, M.D., Ph.D. Director, Scientific & Research Affairs

    Eric Vermetten, M.D., Ph.D.

    Director, Scientific & Research Affairs

  • Ingmar Gorman, Ph.D. Director, Clinical Implementation & Training

    Ingmar Gorman, Ph.D.

    Director, Clinical Implementation & Training

Advisors

  • Advisor, Tomas Palenicek, M.D., Ph.D.

    Tomas Palenicek, M.D., Ph.D.

  • Advisor, Berra Yazar-Klosinski, Ph.D.

    Berra Yazar-Klosinski, Ph.D.

  • Advisor, Eduardo Schenberg, MSc., Ph.D.

    Eduardo Schenberg, MSc., Ph.D.

  • Advisor, Wim Best, Pharm.D., European Registered Toxicologist

    Wim Best, Pharm.D.

EPIC’s Core Goals

Clarify Regulatory Pathways

Contribute to shared understanding of legal and regulatory considerations relevant to the potential medical integration of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, particularly in relation to severe and treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder, across European health systems.

Evidence-Informed Consideration

Engage with emerging scientific evidence and clinical insight, particularly from research in post-traumatic stress disorder, to inform responsible discussion of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy within the broader context of mental health care.

Align European Perspectives

Support coordination and dialogue across European countries to reduce fragmentation in regulatory approaches and clinical standards relevant to the care of individuals living with complex and trauma-related mental health conditions.


Embed Ethical Reflection

Promote consideration of ethical principles relevant to patient safety, informed consent, and governance, with particular attention to the vulnerabilities and needs of individuals receiving care for severe mental health conditions.

Strengthen Scientific and Public Trust

Engage with emerging scientific evidence and clinical insight, particularly from research in post-traumatic stress disorder, to inform responsible discussion of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy within the broader context of mental health care.

Foster Cross-Sector Exchange

Convene clinicians, researchers, and policy experts to support ongoing exchange at the intersection of science, mental health care delivery, and regulation, with a shared focus on conditions such as PTSD where clinical need, evidence, and policy considerations intersect.