MDMA

MDMA-assisted therapy shows promise for trauma, but its effects vary. Now, a study in JAMA Network Open offers a solution: brain scans that measure reactivity to unconscious threat cues can identify individuals most likely to respond positively to the treatment.

Researchers found that MDMA reduces anxiety and enhances social behavior in zebrafish by altering key neurochemical systems. The drug suppressed serotonin signaling, boosted oxytocin receptor expression, and modulated brain signaling proteins involved in emotional regulation.

A new brain imaging study finds LSD alters brain connectivity in unique ways, setting it apart from MDMA and amphetamine despite some shared effects.

Psychedelics impair attention and decision-making during use but may boost creativity afterward. In contrast, MDMA primarily disrupts memory, with no lasting cognitive benefits—highlighting the complex, varied effects of these substances on the brain.

MDMA-assisted psychotherapy is linked to mild to moderate, transient side effects, such as anxiety and nausea. However, concerning gaps in current research highlight the need for further studies to better understand its safety profile.

MDMA enhances empathy-like behaviors in mice through serotonin release in the nucleus accumbens, with significant effects in males but not females, and reverses empathy deficits in a mouse model of autism spectrum disorder.

Researchers found that MDMA enhances the brain's response to emotional faces, particularly happy and angry ones, distinguishing its effects from methamphetamine and highlighting its unique impact on social and emotional processing.

A 41-year-old woman with Long-COVID reportedly experienced significant symptom relief after using psilocybin and MDMA, but the effectiveness and safety of these psychedelics for Long-COVID remain uncertain and require further research.

MDMA enhances positive responses to social feedback without affecting negative responses. This sheds light on MDMA's potential in treating social processing impairments, spotlighting its unique empathogenic effects.

Interviews with clinicians reveal potential benefits of MDMA-assisted therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), suggesting similarities with PTSD treatment. The study, published in the Journal of Psychedelic Studies, calls for further research into MDMA's efficacy for BPD.

Low doses of MDMA may reduce challenging effects of LSD and psilocybin, increasing positive experiences like love and self-compassion, according to Scientific Reports. This supports the therapeutic potential of "candy flipping" and "hippy flipping."

MDMA-assisted therapy shows promise in enhancing emotional awareness and self-compassion in PTSD patients, areas typically unresponsive to conventional treatments.

New research in the European Journal of Psychotraumatology shows the therapeutic relationship's strength is key in MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), indicating better outcomes with a stronger alliance.

A study published in Nature Medicine shows MDMA-assisted therapy significantly reduces symptoms in individuals with severe PTSD, offering promising results for those unresponsive to traditional treatments, and is well-tolerated with few side effects.

Researchers have uncovered surprising findings about the effects of two commonly known drugs, MDMA (commonly referred to as ecstasy) and methamphetamine, on human connection and feelings of closeness with conversation partners. Contrary to expectations, both drugs were found to enhance...