Papers

Research literature with structured metadata.

Trials

Registered studies by status, phase, and compound.

Topics

Indications and themes psychedelics are researched for.

Compounds

Evidence across molecules with rich data.

Countries

Regulation, access, and research activity by region.

Stakeholders

Organizations shaping the space across research, policy, and funding.

People

Investigators, clinicians, and authors with mapped output.

Courses

Training programs and certifications across modalities.

Events

Conferences, workshops, and convenings by date and focus.

Results

Compare outcome data across trials and publications.

Research Snapshot

One-page overview of trials, participants, papers, and research networks.

Clinical Guidelines

Trial-anchored manuals and protocol guidance with competency mapping.

Research recaps

Monthly evidence summaries with key takeaways.

Map of research

Landscape view of trials, compounds, and outcomes.

Newsletter

Weekly or daily updates on trials, publications, analysis, and more.

Research Groups

Worldwide map of psychedelic research centres by region.

Road to Access

Science, regulation, and economics on the path to patient access.

Research Network

Interactive co-authorship map of psychedelic researchers.

Top papers

Find needles in the haystack of psychedelic research per topic.

AskBeta
Pricing

The intelligence layer for psychedelic research.

Company

  • About
  • Contact
  • Newsletter

Product

  • Feedback
  • Roadmap
  • Changelog
  • API
  • Partners
  • Clinical Guidelines

Legal

  • Privacy
  • Terms

© 2026 Blossom. All rights reserved.

Home/Research/MDMA/Neurocognitive Disorders

MDMA for Neurocognitive Disorders

11 papers and 0 clinical trials exploring mdma as a treatment for neurocognitive disorders.

Compoundempathogen

MDMA

MDMA is a synthetic empathogen that enhances monoamine release, producing prosocial and anxiolytic effects without frank hallucinosis. Two Phase III trials demonstrated significant PTSD symptom reductions, though FDA review raised concerns about blinding, durability, and safety characterisation.

Full MDMA profile
IndicationOver 50 million people worldwide suffering from dementia-related disorders.

Neurocognitive Disorders

Neurocognitive disorders, including conditions like dementia and Alzheimer's disease, are characterized by a significant decline in cognitive function. Recent research suggests that psychedelics may offer potential therapeutic benefits by promoting neuronal connectivity and enhancing psychological recovery in these patients.

Full Neurocognitive Disorders profile

Academic Research

11 papers
Paywallmeta

Neurological and cognitive alterations induced by MDMA in humans

This preprint review (2021) surveys the literature on cognition and neuroimaging studies that have investigated functional and structural changes associated with MDMA use. It concludes that the neurocognitive/neurophysiological changes that occur with repeated MDMA use are potentially reversible over time.

Published
October 6, 2021
Journal
Experimental Neurology
Authors
Montgomery, C., Roberts, C. A.
Open Accessmeta

A comparison of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy to non-assisted psychotherapy in treatment-resistant PTSD: A systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis of four randomised, double‑blind trials found MDMA‑assisted psychotherapy produced significant reductions in PTSD severity (CAPS‑IV) at 75 mg and 125 mg versus active placebo, with mainly transient adverse effects and minimal neurocognitive or physical risk, but little consistent benefit on depressive symptoms (BDI); larger, better‑powered RCTs are required.

Published
December 20, 2020
Journal
Journal of Psychopharmacology
Authors
Illingworth, B. J. G., Lewis, D. J., Lambarth, A. T., Duffy, J. M. N., Jelen, L. A., Rucker, J.
Open Accessmeta

Modulation of Social Cognition via Hallucinogens and “Entactogens”.

This literature review (2019) discusses controlled experimental studies on the effects of psychedelics (e.g. LSD, psilocybin, MDMA) on social cognition and behavior to treat disorders characterized by social dysfunctions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). It also discusses persisting knowledge gaps into sex-specific drug effects and objective data on social behavior within the framework of MDMA- and hallucinogen-assisted therapy. The study suggests hallucinogen-based treatment methods and the development of novel medication for trans-diagnostic dysfunction in social cognition and noted that entactogens and hallucinogens have consistently shown prosocial effects and have identified alterations in social processing and behavior as major factors for the efficacy of treatments involving them.

Published
December 3, 2019
Journal
Frontiers in Psychiatry
Authors
Preller, K. H., Vollenweider, F. X.
Open Accessindividual

Distinct acute effects of LSD, MDMA, and D-amphetamine in healthy subjects.

In a randomised, double-blind, cross-over study in 28 healthy subjects, single doses of LSD (0.1 mg), MDMA (125 mg) and d-amphetamine (40 mg) produced similar autonomic responses but clearly distinct subjective and endocrine profiles. LSD caused the strongest alterations of consciousness, ego dissolution, cognitive impairment and anxiety; MDMA produced the most positive/empathetic effects and increased plasma oxytocin; d-amphetamine primarily raised blood pressure and enhanced activity and concentration, while none of the drugs altered plasma BDNF — results that can inform dose-finding in substance-assisted psychotherapy.

Published
November 16, 2019
Journal
Neuropsychopharmacology
Authors
Holze, F., Vizeli, P., Müller, F., Ley, L., Duerig, R., Varghese, N., Eckert, A., Borgwardt, S., Liechti, M. E.
Open Accessmeta

MDMA and brain activity during neurocognitive performance: An overview of neuroimaging studies with abstinent ‘Ecstasy’ users

This systematic review (2018) examines the long-term effects of MDMA on neurocognitive performance amongst abstinent ecstasy users and found evidence of hemodynamic and electrophysiological changes in the prefrontal brain regions that is reflective of increased cognitive effort to maintain performance levels during executive functions.

Published
August 8, 2017
Journal
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
Authors
Roberts, C. A., Quednow, B. B., Montgomery, C., Parrott, A. C.
Open Accessindividual

Durability of improvement in post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and absence of harmful effects or drug dependency after 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted psychotherapy: a prospective long-term follow-up study

In a prospective long-term follow‑up (mean 45.4 months) of the first MDMA‑assisted psychotherapy trial for chronic, treatment‑resistant PTSD (n=19; 16 CAPS completers), symptom reductions observed at study exit were largely maintained (mean CAPS 24.6 vs 23.7; p=0.91) though two participants relapsed. No participants reported harm or evidence of drug dependency, suggesting durable clinical benefit and a favourable safety profile.

Published
November 20, 2012
Journal
Journal of Psychopharmacology
Authors
Mithoefer, M. C., Wagner, M. T., Mithoefer, A. T., Jerome, L., Martin, S. F., Yazar-Klosinski, B., Michel, Y., Brewerton, T. D., Doblin, R.

Clinical Trials

0 trials

No clinical trials have been tagged with both MDMA and Neurocognitive Disorders yet.

Trials are continuously being added as new studies are registered.

Explore further

Search all MDMA papers Search all Neurocognitive Disorders trials Full MDMA profile Full Neurocognitive Disorders profile