Potential processes of change in MDMA-Assisted therapy for social anxiety disorder: Enhanced memory reconsolidation, self-transcendence, and therapeutic relationships.
Jason B. Luoma, Ben Shahar, M Kati Lear, Brian Pilecki, Anne C Wagner
Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental May 1, 2022 DOI: 10.1002/hup.2824 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Narrative review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | MDMA Anxiety |
| Keywords | Memory reconsolidation Processes of change Self-transcendence Social anxiety disorder Therapeutic relationship |
| Citations | 26 |
| Key findings | MDMA may enhance psychotherapy for social anxiety disorder by improving memory reconsolidation, inducing self-transcendent emotions, and strengthening the therapeutic relationship. |
Abstract
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 treatment of social anxiety disorder. This is a narrative review that integrates research on the etiology and maintenance of social anxiety disorder and mechanisms of action of MDMA to examine how MDMA may enhance psychotherapy outcomes. We first outline how MDMA may enhance memory reconsolidation in social anxiety disorder. We then discuss how MDMA may induce experiences of self-transcendence and self-transcendent emotions such as compassion, love, and awe; and how these experiences may be therapeutic in the context of social anxiety disorder. We subsequently discuss the possibility that MDMA may enhance the strength and effectiveness of the therapeutic relationship which is a robust predictor of outcomes across many disorders as well as a potential key ingredient in treating disorders where shame and social disconnection are central factors. We discuss how processes of change may extend beyond the MDMA dosing sessions themselves.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on MDMA for anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical applications of hallucinogens: A review. | 2016 | Review | |
| MDMA-assisted therapy: A new treatment model for social anxiety in autistic adults. Individuals who have received MDMA for research purposes | 2016 | Review | n = 1,133 |
| Long-Term Neuropsychiatric Consequences of "Ecstasy" (MDMA): A Review Chronic recreational users of ecstasy (MDMA), including adolescents | 2002 | Review | |
| A review of emerging therapeutic potential of psychedelic drugs in the treatment of psychiatric illnesses | 2020 | Review | |
| Top Ten Tips Palliative Care Clinicians Should Know About Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in the Context of Serious Illness. Palliative care clinicians and patients | 2022 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 20
- Journeying to Ixtlan: Ethics of Psychedelic Medicine and Research for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias. AJOB Neuroscience 2023
- MDMA enhances empathy-like behaviors in mice via 5-HT release in the nucleus accumbens. Science Advances April 26, 2024
- A proposed mechanism for the MDMA-mediated extinction of traumatic memories in PTSD patients treated with MDMA-assisted therapy Frontiers in Psychiatry October 12, 2022
- Therapeutic (Sub)stance: Current practice and therapeutic conduct in preparatory sessions in substance-assisted psychotherapy—A systematized review Journal of Psychopharmacology October 20, 2022
- Getting in Touch with Touch: The Importance of Studying Touch in MDMA-Assisted Therapy and the Development of a New Self-Report Measure. Psychedelic Medicine March 1, 2024
and 15 more in the library
Cites 42
- The entropic brain: a theory of conscious states informed by neuroimaging research with psychedelic drugs Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2014
- Loving-kindness meditation increases social connectedness. Emotion October 1, 2008
- Psychometric Evaluation of the Altered States of Consciousness Rating Scale (OAV) PLoS One August 31, 2010
- The Varieties of Self-Transcendent Experience Review of General Psychology May 1, 2017
- The safety and efficacy of {+/-}3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted psychotherapy in subjects with chronic, treatment-resistant posttraumatic stress disorder: the first randomized controlled pilot study. Journal of Psychopharmacology July 19, 2010
and 37 more in the library