Figshare
September 25, 2026
Stephan Ludewig
preprint
Impaired cognitive performance and increased levels of anxiety and depressiveness have been reported following chronic use of the recreational drug 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “Ecstasy”). The aim of this study was to investigate whether memory functions and mood states are affected by two moderate doses of MDMA administered to healthy volunteers at intervals of two weeks, and hence...
PsyArXiv Preprints
September 11, 2026
preprint
Background 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is associated with distinctive prosocial and empathogenic effects, yet the consistency and scope of its impact on social cognition in humans remain unclear. Although numerous placebo-controlled studies have examined MDMA’s acute social effects, findings vary widely across subjective and behavioural domains. Methods We conducted a systematic...
Neuropharmacology
September 11, 2026
Laura Rullo, Loredana Maria Losapio, Hela Mrizak et al.
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) represents a major public health challenge, with current pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatments showing limited efficacy. Recent clinical evidence suggests that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy may be effective for AUD, although concerns remain regarding its safety and potential for recreational use. This study investigated the effects of MDMA administration on...
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...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
September 10, 2026
Olivier Le Bon
Abstract Background The MDMA-assisted therapy landscape has been dominated by mostly holding-oriented, non-directive models. These approaches prioritize containment of the MDMA experience but leave largely unexploited the unique window of accessibility to unconscious material that MDMA creates. Objective This paper presents Active Deep Dive Therapy (ADDT), a theoretically grounded model for...
ANCIENT LAND
September 10, 2026
Samir Arab
The present article examines the concept of ecstasy as a pathway to existential freedom in Zorba the Greek through a Nietzschean philosophical framework. It argues that Nikos Kazantzakis constructs the character of Zorba as the embodiment of Friedrich Nietzsche's ideal of lifeaffirmation, transcending conventional moral constraints through instinct, creativity, and joyful selfovercoming. By...
Harvard Review of Psychiatry
September 8, 2026
Warwick M. Green, Sanket B Raut, F. E. James et al.
There is a need for new effective treatment options for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as many people with PTSD do not fully recover despite current treatments. 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy (MDMA-AT) is emerging as a new treatment option. We assessed the current body of MDMA-AT evidence for effectiveness in treating PTSD, associated impairments, and...
Journal of Traumatic Stress
September 4, 2026
Healing together: Results from a pilot trial of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine-enhanced cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder.
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology
September 1, 2026
U Schmidt
Abstract Background A substantial proportion of patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) fails to derive significant clinical benefit from current standard-of-care treatments. In particular, complex PTSD exhibits a pronounced tendency toward chronicity. For this refractory population, MDMA-assisted psychotherapy has emerged as a highly promising therapeutic avenue. However, the...
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology
September 1, 2026
Christopher Poppe, Dimitris Repantis
Abstract Background MDMA-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) has shown promise for treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), leveraging unique affective effects such as enhanced trust, empathy, and social connectedness. Despite preliminary efficacy, ethical challenges in clinical trials may directly affect regulatory approval and future clinical implementation. Aims & Objectives The...