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Blinding, Expectancy, and the Active Placebo Paradox in MDMA Research.

Mitch Earleywine, Quinn Allen

Psychopharmacology (Berl) June 13, 2026 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-026-07108-6 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed
Topics MDMA
Key points Argues that the active placebo paradox—where MDMA's strong subjective effects compromise blinding—challenges the validity of standard placebo-controlled trials and requires alternative methodological designs.

Abstract

Blinding, Expectancy, and the Active Placebo Paradox in MDMA Research.