
Reduction in social anxiety after MDMA-assisted psychotherapy with autistic adults
Oct 12, 2018
An article titled “Reduction in social anxiety after MDMA-assisted psychotherapy with autistic adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study” has been recently published in the journal "Psychopharmacology". The article describes a pilot trial conducted in the United States involving MDMA-assisted psychotherapy to treat generalized social anxiety with people with autism. All participants received preparatory psychotherapy sessions based on standardised mindfulness therapy adapted from Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. The preparatory sessions assisted participants to develop skills in interpersonal relationships, emotional regulation and distress tolerance and to communicate with others during the study. Participants were then dosed with either placebo, 75mg of MDMA or 125mg of MDMA, follow by 3 non-drug psychotherapy sessions. The study found rapid and durable improvement in social anxiety symptoms following MDMA-assisted psychotherapy.