A reconsideration and response to Parrott AC (2013) "Human psychobiology of MDMA or 'Ecstasy': an overview of 25 years of empirical research".
Rick Doblin, George Greer, Julie Holland, Lisa Jerome, Michael C Mithoefer, Ben Sessa
Hum Psychopharmacol March 1, 2014 DOI: 10.1002/hup.2389 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThis article responds to and critically re-evaluates a prior review of 25 years of empirical research on MDMA (ecstasy). It argues for a more balanced understanding of the drug's effects, emphasizing that controlled therapeutic contexts can yield positive psychological outcomes and beneficial subjective experiences, contrary to earlier conclusions that focused predominantly on harms. The response highlights the need to separate recreational use from clinical applications and calls for nuanced interpretation of prior data to inform mental health research.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Therapeutic potential Controlled therapeutic contexts Positive psychological outcomes |
| Citations | 48 |
| Key finding | Argues that Parrott's 2013 overview selectively emphasizes negative findings and inadequately accounts for methodological confounds, warranting a more balanced interpretation of MDMA's psychobiological effects. |
Abstract
A reconsideration and response to Parrott AC (2013) "Human psychobiology of MDMA or 'Ecstasy': an overview of 25 years of empirical research".