393: MDMA (Ecstasy) for couples to transform their relationship

May 25, 2026 | Latest Episodes, podcast, Published Authors

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Sex therapist Jessa Zimmerman interviews Jonathan Robinson about using MDMA (ecstasy) with couples to accelerate therapy, emphasizing a legal disclaimer and harm reduction. Robinson describes renewed interest in psychedelic therapies, claims MDMA can make deep couples work happen in hours, and contrasts it with drugs like psilocybin or ketamine because it supports therapeutic interaction without hallucinations. He explains proposed mechanisms (reduced amygdala fear response and increased serotonin/bonding), highlights the importance of set and setting, purity testing, minimizing distractions, and the value of a trained guide plus integration sessions for lasting change. He discusses common reasons couples seek MDMA (trauma, anxiety, depression, addiction, relationship issues, spiritual growth), how to choose a guide, contraindications (recent heart attack, antidepressants; caution with psychosis/bipolar), and shares a personal story of MDMA revealing grief underlying marital conflict.

00:00 Welcome to Better Sex
00:44 Meet Jonathan Robinson
01:41 Legal Disclaimer and Safety
02:59 Why MDMA Is Back
05:44 MDMA vs Other Psychedelics
08:26 How MDMA Works in Brain
09:23 Who Seeks MDMA Help
10:44 Set Setting and Zoom Sessions
12:32 Couples Intensives Announcement
13:08 Preparing Couples for Journey
14:42 Why a Guide Matters
17:07 Choosing a Facilitator
18:39 Books and Getting Informed
19:40 Contraindications and Risks
21:30 Marriage Breakthrough Story
24:24 Sex Talks Made Easy
25:29 Resources and Closing
26:32 Podcast Outro and Thanks

Want to know more about Jessa’s couples; intensives? https://www.heartweaveforcouples.com

Bio:
Jonathan Robinson is a psychotherapist, best-selling author of 16 books, and a professional speaker from Northern California. He has reached over 200 million people around the world with his practical methods, and his work has been translated into 47 languages. Mr. Robinson has made numerous appearances on The Oprah Show and CNN, as well as other national TV talk shows.

Jonathan’s most recent book is called, “Ecstasy as Medicine: How MDMA Therapy Can Help You Overcome Trauma, Anxiety and Depression…and Feel More Love.” In the book, Jonathan shares the best methods, stories, and ideas he’s learned from leading over 700 MDMA journeys and teaching hundreds of therapists how to do his unique protocol over Zoom. His other books include the bestsellers, “Communication Miracles for Couples,” and “More Love, Less Conflict.”

Jonathan is the co-host of the podcast Awareness Explorers, and his websites are: XTCasMedicine.com and FindingHappiness.com