MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for treatment of anxiety and other psychological distress related to life-threatening illnesses: a randomized pilot study (Wolfson, et al, 2020)
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for treatment of anxiety and other psychological distress related to life-threatening illnesses: a randomized pilot study (Wolfson, et al, 2020)
The success of modern medicine creates a growing population of those suffering from life-threatening illnesses (LTI) who often experience anxiety, depression, and existential distress. We present a novel approach; investigating MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of anxiety in people with ...
MDMA is under investigation as an adjunct to psychotherapy for various anxiety-related conditions. Compelling results from six Phase 2 studies led the FDA to issue a Breakthrough Therapy designation for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 201716. In the Phase 2 trials, participants who were given active-dose MDMA (75–125 mg) and psychotherapy experienced significantly greater reductions in PTSD symptoms when compared with participants given inactive placebo or low-dose MDMA (0–40 mg)17,18,19,20,21. MDMA-assisted psychotherapy also reduced symptoms of depression and improved sleep quality. A study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy in autistic adults with social anxiety also found significantly greater improvement in Leibowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) Total scores in the MDMA group compared to the placebo group22.