MDMA-assisted therapy: A new treatment model for social anxiety in autistic adults.
Alicia Danforth, Christopher M Struble, Berra Yazar-Klosinski, Charles S. Grob
Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry January 4, 2016 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2015.03.011 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,133 |
| Population | Individuals who have received MDMA for research purposes |
| Intervention | MDMA-assisted therapy |
| Topics | MDMA Anxiety |
| Keywords | Psychotherapy Social anxiety MDMA Therapy: MDMA Sessions Novel approach Autism treatment: autism Autistic individuals Adults with autism Related distress New avenues Lasting benefits Improve social adaptability Psychedelic research: psychedelics Safely administered Safety profile Promising new treatment |
| Citations | 110 |
| Key findings | MDMA has been safely administered to over 1133 individuals in research, and its infrequent dosing may offer a favorable risk/benefit ratio for treating social anxiety in autistic adults. |
Abstract
The first study of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted therapy for the treatment of social anxiety in autistic adults commenced in the spring of 2014. The search for psychotherapeutic options for autistic individuals is imperative considering the lack of effective conventional treatments for mental health diagnoses that are common in this population. Serious Adverse Events (SAEs) involving the administration of MDMA in clinical trials have been rare and non-life threatening. To date, MDMA has been administered to over 1133 individuals for research purposes without the occurrence of unexpected drug-related SAEs that require expedited reporting per FDA regulations. Now that safety parameters for limited use of MDMA in clinical settings have been established, a case can be made to further develop MDMA-assisted therapeutic interventions that could support autistic adults in increasing social adaptability among the typically developing population. As in the case with classic hallucinogens and other psychedelic drugs, MDMA catalyzes shifts toward openness and introspection that do not require ongoing administration to achieve lasting benefits. This infrequent dosing mitigates adverse event frequency and improves the risk/benefit ratio of MDMA, which may provide a significant advantage over medications that require daily dosing. Consequently, clinicians could employ new treatment models for social anxiety or similar types of distress administering MDMA on one to several occasions within the context of a supportive and integrative psychotherapy protocol.
In the evidence
This study is part of the evidence base for a synthesis in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.
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Argues that MDMA has been safely administered to over 1133 individuals in research and that its infrequent dosing may offer a favorable risk/benefit ratio for treating social anxiety in autistic adults.
Synthesized
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on MDMA for anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical applications of hallucinogens: A review. | 2016 | Review | |
| 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 | |
| The Use of Psilocybin in the Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders with Attention to Relative Safety Profile: A Systematic Review Articles screened from PubMed | 2022 | Review | n = 76 |