Psychoplastogen compounds such as ketamine and MDMA have shown therapeutic promise for mood and trauma-related disorders, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying their effects remain poorly understood. Here, we applied a Brain-Epigenome-Wide Association Study (BEWAS) targeting brain-relevant genes to examine DNA methylation changes following treatment. Pre- and post-treatment blood (ketamine, N...
This preliminary study explored the effects of MDMA-assisted therapy on trauma symptoms related to discrimination, as measured by the Trauma Symptoms of Discrimination Scale (TSDS). A total of five diverse participants, who experienced multiple types of discrimination (e.g., gender, racial/ethnic, social class, age, sexual orientation), were assessed before and after treatment. A paired-samples...
ManuscriptJuly 7, 2026Elena Alekseevna Okladnikova, Alexander Mikhailovich Prilutskii
The aim of the work is to rethink the sacred functions of shamans with an emphasis on the social functions that shamans/ritualists performed in primitive and then traditional societies, and not only on the mystical content of early forms of religious ideas described by ethnologists and art historians. The article implements a theoretical transfer of the postulates of biopolitics (M. Foucault,...
There is limited or indirect evidence suggesting that combined use of MDMA and SSRIs may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. Healthcare providers should be vigilant in identifying symptoms and discourage such drug interactions.
Molecular PsychiatryJuly 7, 2026Axel F. Rosado, Abigail L. Yu, Jen-Hau Yang et al.
Classic serotonergic psychedelics such as psilocybin act as agonists at cortical serotonin (5-HT) 2A receptors (5-HT 2A R), inducing psychedelic effects in humans and head-twitch responses (HTRs) in rodents. Another class of psychedelic drugs called entactogens, exemplified by MDMA, function primarily as monoamine releasers and typically evoke minimal HTR despite causing serotonin release. The...
MDMA therapy is not approved by most medical regulators. But underground use is popular despite a severe lack of adequate practical guidance. Thus, I provide comprehensive practical guidance for solo and guided MDMA therapy based on critical literature synthesis, personal experience, community reports, and a mechanistic framework. I primarily address the individual doing or seeking MDMA therapy...
Objetivo: Avaliar a eficácia e a segurança comparativas da psilocibina e do MDMA (3,4-metilenodioximetanfetamina) no tratamento de pacientes com transtorno de estresse pós-traumático (TEPT) e depressão resistente ao tratamento (DRT), com base na evidência disponível de ensaios clínicos randomizados e estudos controlados. Métodos: Revisão sistemática conduzida segundo as diretrizes PRISMA 2020....
Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remains difficult to treat; a substantial proportion of patients do not respond to first-line trauma-focused psychotherapy or to sertraline and paroxetine. 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), a synthetic substituted amphetamine classified as an entactogen, has been studied for more than two decades as a pharmacological adjunct to...
Background Serotonergic psychedelics and MDMA may improve mental health through reductions in neuroticism and changes in personal values. While decreases in neuroticism following serotonergic psychedelics are sometimes observed, it is unclear which facets of neuroticism respond the most, and MDMA remains understudied. People also report value shifts after psychedelic experiences, but...