MDMA Use May Have Mitigated Trauma Among Survivors of Nova Festival Attack, Study Finds

Wed Nov 26 2025 09:31:36 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Early research indicates that the party drug MDMA might have provided psychological protection to individuals during the traumatic Hamas attack at the Nova music festival in Israel.

Neuroscientists suggest that MDMA, taken by many festival-goers, may have helped shield them from trauma during the violent attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Studies indicate those under its influence coped better mentally in the aftermath, potentially aiding in mental health therapy approaches.

On October 7, 2023, the Nova music festival near the Gaza border was rocked by a violent attack from Hamas gunmen, leading to over 360 casualties and numerous kidnappings. As dawn broke, many attendees had reportedly consumed MDMA, LSD, and other recreational drugs. Recent research led by neuroscientists at Haifa University reveals that MDMA – commonly known as ecstasy or molly – may have provided significant psychological protection against trauma for those who took the drug at the event.

The preliminary findings, currently undergoing peer review, suggest that MDMA was linked to improved mental states during and after the attack. Approximately two-thirds of the greater than 650 survivors surveyed had taken recreational substances prior to the incident. Notably, those specifically using pure MDMA exhibited better mental coping mechanisms in the months that followed, according to Professor Roy Salomon, one of the research leaders. "Those on MDMA appeared to cope mentally with less distress and better sleep quality compared to those who were substance-free,” he stated.

The effects of MDMA likely stem from the release of pro-social hormones, such as oxytocin, promoting bonding and reducing fear among individuals fleeing the attack. Survivors reported feeling more open to receiving love and support from family and friends, fostering a crucial supportive environment post-trauma. As Michal Ohana, a festival-goer who experienced the attack firsthand, explained, feeling “so high” likely helped her evade a more traumatic response.

While this research is limited to survivors only, and thus cannot definitively prove that MDMA altered the likelihood of escaping the attack, many participants believe in its protective qualities. Dr. Anna Harwood-Gross, a clinical psychologist at Israel’s Metiv Psychotrauma Centre, emphasized the findings’ importance for therapy, as the potential therapeutic benefits of MDMA for PTSD have been already explored in clinical trials.

Despite the excitement surrounding MDMA's potential, the study's conclusions pose ethical questions. The drug remains illegal in Israel and classified as a Class A substance in the UK, raising concerns about safety and addiction. Prior attempts to integrate MDMA into established therapies face opposition, particularly in the U.S., where regulatory bodies expressed reservations about study designs and long-term benefits.

With societal perceptions of trauma evolving in Israel post-attacks, many psychologists note an increasing influx of clients seeking treatment, illustrating the profound need for empathetic, long-term support structures. “The sense of security has been shattered,” observed psychologist Vered Atzmon Meshulam, reflecting the pervasive emotional upheaval faced within Israeli society.

This dynamic presents therapists with unprecedented challenges as they navigate complex traumas stemming from the historical context of violence, the Holocaust, and the direct consequences of contemporary conflict. The situation within Gaza mirrors these concerns, where ongoing struggles leave a vast population facing severe trauma and inadequate mental health resources.

In the midst of all this, survivors like Michal Ohana grapple with complex emotions, feeling pressured to move forward while still living with daily reminders of their traumatic experiences. "Some think I should be over this now, but I live it every day,” she shared, highlighting the ongoing struggle for healing in the wake of trauma.