September 11, 2026
Joseph M. Diehl, Christina Chwyl, Liliana Kennedy et al.
preprint
The therapeutic relationship is considered central to psychedelic-assisted therapy, yet little empirical research has examined how it changes during 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) or relates to acute MDMA experiences and clinical outcomes, particularly for social anxiety disorder (SAD). This preregistered secondary analysis examined therapeutic alliance and...
Open MIND
July 14, 2026
Christina Chwyl, Jason B. Luoma, Stephanie R. Rodriguez et al.
PTSD is a prevalent and debilitating condition, for which many individuals do not seek or complete treatment. As new PTSD treatments are being evaluated, such as psychedelic-assisted therapies, it’s important to understand the preferences of individuals for whom these treatments are being developed. To date, no research has directly compared preferences for psychedelic-assisted therapies...
June 4, 2026
Jason B. Luoma, M. Kati Lear, Brian Pilecki et al.
preprint
Background: ±3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) has positive effects on socio-emotional processing and MDMA-Assisted Therapy (MDMA-AT) showed promise for treating SAD in a previous placebo-controlled trial. Aims: Develop a preliminary estimate of clinical response and safety for MDMA-AT versus waitlist in adults with SAD. Secondary aims included refinement of a standardized psychotherapy...
World Psychiatry
June 1, 2026
Christina Chwyl, Michael S. Ladka, Joshua C. Black et al.
Prevalence and predictors of sexual and physical violence during psychedelic use in a US population-based study.
Neuroethics
May 13, 2026
Christina Chwyl, Alissa Bazinet, Adrianne R Wilson-Poe et al.
Informed consent in psychedelic-assisted services is ethically complex, difficult to implement, and remains largely unstudied and unstandardized. The current study sought expert recommendations on informed consent challenges, best practices and recommendations for supervised psilocybin experiences across various settings. Participants with psilocybin content expertise and psilocybin providers...
February 19, 2026
Christina Chwyl, Alissa Bazinet, Adie Wilson-Poe et al.
1 citation
preprint
Background: Informed consent in psychedelic-assisted services is ethically complex, difficult to implement, and remains largely unstudied and unstandardized. Objective: The current study sought expert recommendations from experienced psychedelic facilitators on what constitutes informed consent best practices for supervised psychedelic experiences across various settings. Methods: Participants...
BMC Psychology
January 21, 2026
Christina Chwyl, Angelica Spata, Will Lucas et al.
Findings indicate a "mindset-over-molecule" pattern wherein psychological context ("set") is more strongly associated with psychedelic outcomes than substance type alone.
PsyArXiv
January 10, 2026
Jason B. Luoma, Jenna Lejeune, Brian Pilecki et al.
preprint
Practical Guidelines for Supportive Touch in Psychedelic-Assisted and MDMA-Assisted Therapy: A Model for Practitioners and Researchers
The International journal on drug policy
2026
Christina Chwyl, Adrianne R Wilson-Poe, Kim Hoffman et al.
3 citations
There remain significant gaps in knowledge about best practices for facilitated psychedelic care and psychedelic-assisted therapy. To inform the development of service models that support safe and beneficial experiences, this qualitative study explored expert perspectives on current and ideal standards of care, including key practices (e.g., screening, adapting care to diverse contexts) and...
Open Science Framework
2026
Christina Chwyl, M. Kati Lear, Sunjeev K. Kamboj et al.
Self-compassion is theorized to play a central role in promoting mental health and wellbeing, including for individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD). One proposed mechanism of MDMA-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) for SAD is the cultivation of self-compassion. Across five aims, we will characterize self-compassion experiences during MDMA-AT and evaluate its role as a potential mechanism of...
Research Square
September 12, 2025
Christina Chwyl, Angelica Spata, Will Lucas et al.
Abstract Background Self-transcendent and mystical experiences may be key mechanisms underlying psychedelics’ therapeutic effects, yet how these experiences differ across substances remains unclear. This study compared mystical and self-transcendent experiences across psilocybin, 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), and cannabis in a diverse, community-based sample, while accounting for...
September 7, 2025
Mathew Herbert, Brian H. Blanco, Dimitri Perivoliotis et al.
preprint
There is promise for 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assistedpsychotherapy as a highly effective and durable treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder(PTSD). However, the Food and Drug Administration rejected MDMA-assisted psychotherapy inits current form, expressing concerns about the lack of standardization and empirical basis ofpsychotherapy methods. This highlights the need to...
Research Square
August 5, 2025
Christina Chwyl, Odin S. Elvenes, Andrew S. R. Kleven et al.
2 citations
Abstract Background Psychedelic integration is widely acknowledged as essential, yet limited empirical data exists on challenges faced during integration. Objective To explore therapists' perspectives on post-psychedelic integration challenges and their approaches to supporting clients. Methods Online interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of licensed mental health professionals who...
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
January 29, 2025
Jason B. Luoma, Kim Hoffman, Adrianne R Wilson-Poe et al.
3 citations
New legal frameworks for supervised psychedelic services are emerging, with Oregon and Colorado implementing programs to train and license psilocybin facilitators. This study describes Oregon's early psilocybin facilitator workforce and assesses state-approved training programs. The Open Psychedelic Evaluation Nexus (OPEN) reviewed Oregon Health Authority-approved training programs and surveyed...
Am J Bioeth
January 13, 2025
Jason B. Luoma, Jenna Lejeune
6 citations
From Theory to Practice: The Importance of Operationalizing and Measuring Ethical Touch in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy.
Journal of Psychopharmacology
June 18, 2024
Kim Hoffman, Alissa Bazinet, Kellie Pertl et al.
14 citations
Background: Voter initiatives in Oregon and Colorado authorize legal frameworks for supervised psilocybin services, but no measures monitor safety or outcomes. Aims: To develop core measures of best practices. Methods: A three-phase e-Delphi process recruited 36 experts with 5 or more years’ experience facilitating psilocybin experiences in various contexts (e.g., ceremonial settings,...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
April 5, 2024
Brian Pilecki, Jason B. Luoma, Kati M. Lear
9 citations
Abstract Psychological flexibility has been proposed as a core process of change when psychedelics are used for therapeutic purposes, but to date empirical outcomes have only documented changes on the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-II), a very general measure of psychological flexibility. This pilot study measured outcomes from psilocybin administered in a retreat setting across a...
Psychedelic medicine (New Rochelle, N.Y.)
March 1, 2024
Jason B. Luoma, Luke R Allen, Veronika Gold et al.
14 citations
MDMA-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) is an emerging treatment modality, with recent phase 3 trials indicating its potential for regulatory approval. Central to this therapy is the role of touch, yet its empirical evaluation in MDMA-AT, and psychotherapy in general, remains limited. The use of touch in combination with MDMA raises concerns about power imbalances and ethical boundaries. This article...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
August 21, 2023
Stacey B. Armstrong, Adam W. Levin, Yitong Xin et al.
12 citations
Abstract Background and aims Because psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) is likely to be provided by interdisciplinary professional teams comprised of social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists, understanding the acceptability of this treatment approach among these professional disciplines is essential as the treatment advances through approval processes at the Food and Drug...
Frontiers in Psychiatry
July 15, 2023
M. Kati Lear, Sarah M. Smith, Brian Pilecki et al.
14 citations
BackgroundSocial anxiety disorder (SAD) is a serious and prevalent psychiatric condition that heavily impacts social functioning and quality of life. Though efficacious treatments exist for SAD, remission rates remain elevated and a significant portion of those affected do not access effective treatment, suggesting the need for additional evidence-based treatment options. This paper presents a...
Drugs Education Prevention and Policy
September 4, 2022
Jason B. Luoma, Brian Pilecki, Alan K. Davis et al.
13 citations
As evidence for psychedelic-assisted therapy accumulates, legalization becomes more likely. As a result, there is an increasing need for psychologists to become educated about psychedelics and their therapeutic effects as they will play an important role in disseminating this treatment. Therefore, understanding psychologists’ current attitudes toward psychedelics is integral in informing...
Frontiers in Psychology
May 23, 2022
David B. Yaden, Dylan Earp, Marianna Graziosi et al.
106 citations
The acute subjective effects of psychedelics are responsive to users’ expectations and surroundings (i.e., “set and setting”). Accordingly, a great deal of thought has gone into designing the psychosocial context of psychedelic administration in clinical settings. But what theoretical paradigms inform these considerations about set and setting? Here, we describe several historical, sociological...
Human Psychopharmacology
May 1, 2022
Jason B. Luoma, Ben Shahar, M Kati Lear et al.
26 citations
Researchers have suggested that psychotherapy may be enhanced by the addition of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), particularly in the treatment of disorders wherein interpersonal dysfunction is central, such as social anxiety disorder. We review literature pertaining to three potential processes of change that may be instigated during sessions involving MDMA administration in the...
Journal of Psychopharmacology
March 1, 2022
Gabrielle Agin-Liebes, Richard J. Zeifman, Jason B. Luoma et al.
51 citations
Background: Evidence suggests that psychedelic-assisted therapy carries transdiagnostic efficacy in the treatment of mental health conditions characterized by low mood and the use of avoidance coping strategies. Aims: While preliminary evidence suggests that psychological flexibility and emotion regulation processes play an important role within psychedelic therapy, this prospective study...
Frontiers in Psychiatry
September 27, 2021
Jason B. Luoma, M. Kati Lear
11 citations
Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a prevalent and often debilitating psychiatric disorder that can assume a chronic course even when treated. Despite the identification of evidence-based pharmacological and behavioral treatments for SAD, much room for improved outcomes exists and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) has been proposed as a promising adjunctive treatment to psychological...