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/Schizophrenia

MDMA for Schizophrenia

8 papers and 1 clinical trial exploring mdma as a treatment for schizophrenia.

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
IndicationApproximately 24 million people worldwide are affected by schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a complex psychiatric disorder characterised by disruptions in thought processes and perception. Recent research into psychedelics has opened new avenues for understanding its neurobiology and exploring potential therapeutic mechanisms, particularly in addressing treatment-resistant symptoms.

Full Schizophrenia profile

Academic Research

8 papers
Open Accessmeta

Treatment approaches and efficacy in Psychedelic-Induced Psychosis: A systematic review

This systematic review (n=93 cases) found that psychedelic-induced psychosis, primarily caused by LSD and MDMA, lasted an average of 1.8 weeks and responded much better to second-generation antipsychotics (91% response rate) than first-generation antipsychotics (27% response rate), though one-third of patients later developed schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

Published
June 26, 2025
Journal
Asian Journal of Psychiatry
Authors
Sulstarova, A., Scheuerlein, L., Monari, S., Seragnoli, F., Gabriel, T., Preller, K., Böge, K., Sentissi, O., Kaiser, S., Solmi, M., Kirschner, M., Sabé, M.
Open Accessmeta

Reconsidering evidence for psychedelic-induced psychosis: an overview of reviews, a systematic review, and meta-analysis of human studies

This systematic review (2024) and meta-analysis (s=131) examines the incidence of psychedelic-induced psychosis, focusing on individuals with schizophrenia. It finds an incidence of 0.002% in population studies, 0.2% in UCTs, and 0.6% in RCTs, with 3.8% of UCT participants with schizophrenia developing long-lasting psychotic symptoms. It also reports that 13.1% of those with psychedelic-induced psychosis later developed schizophrenia.

Published
November 27, 2024
Journal
Molecular Psychiatry
Authors
Sabé, M., Sulstarova, A., Glangetas, A., De Pieri, M., Mallet, L., Curtis, L., Richard-Lepouriel, H., Penzenstadler, L., Seragnoli, F., Thorens, G., Zullino, D., Preller, K., Böge, K., Leucht, S., Correll, C. U., Solmi, M., Kaiser, S., Kirschner, M.
Paywallindividual

Expert Opinion on Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy for People with Psychopathological Psychotic Experiences and Psychotic Disorders

This expert consultation study (n=12) investigated the exclusion of individuals with personal or familial histories of psychopathological experiences from most psychedelic clinical trials and treatment programs. Experts in psychiatry, clinical psychology, medicine, and psychedelics were interviewed, and the findings revealed that exclusion criteria may be justified in studies with minimal psychological support. They agreed that psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, as well as therapy with MDMA and ketamine, might be beneficial for some individuals within this group.

Published
September 19, 2023
Journal
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
Authors
La Torre, J. T., Mahammadli, M., Faber, S., Greenway, K. T., Williams, M. T., Abbate, V.
Paywallindividual

Characterizing thalamocortical (dys)connectivity following d-amphetamine, LSD, and MDMA administration

This neuroimaging study (n=28) investigated the effects of LSD, d-amphetamine and MDMA on thalamocortical intrinsic functional connectivity (iFC). Each substance elicited auditory-sensorimotor-thalamic-hyperconnectivity compared to placebo, despite predominantly distinct pharmacological actions and subjective effects. LSD produced salience (SAL) hyperactivity whereas MDMA and amphetamine produced hypoconnectivity with SAL. This range of activity is similar to that seen in patients with psychotic disorders.

Published
September 1, 2022
Journal
Biological Psychiatry
Authors
Avram, M., Müller, F., Rogg, H., Korda, A., Andreou, C., Holze, F., Vizeli, P., Ley, L., Liechti, M. E., Borgwardt, S.
Paywallindividual

MDMA for the Treatment of Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia

This review argues that MDMA‑assisted therapy is a promising novel approach for treating negative symptoms of schizophrenia, drawing on MDMA’s prosocial, empathogenic and metaplastic effects to target deficits for which there are currently no FDA‑approved treatments. It synthesises recent evidence suggesting MDMA may be safe and potentially effective and outlines safety considerations and putative mechanisms of action.

Published
June 7, 2022
Journal
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Authors
Arnovitz, M. D., Spitzberg, A. J., Davani, A. J., Vadhan, N. P., Holland, J., Kane, J. M., Michaels, T. I.
Open Accessindividual

MDMA, cannabis, and cocaine produce acute dissociative symptoms

This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, four-way, cross-over study (n=37) investigated the acute dissociative effects of MDMA (25, 50, and 100 mg), cannabis (THC 21mg/70kg), and cocaine (300 mg) and compared them to data of schizophrenia patients, Special Forces soldiers, and ketamine users. Results indicate that MDMA, cannabis, and (to a lesser extent) cocaine can produce dissociative symptoms that are similar to dissociative pathology.

Published
August 1, 2015
Journal
Psychiatry Research
Authors
Van Heugten-Van Der Kloet, D., Giesbrecht, T., Van Wel, J., Bosker, W. M., Kuypers, K. P., Theunissen, E. L., Spronk, D. B., Verkes, R. J., Merckelbach, H., Ramaekers, J. G.

Clinical Trials

1 trial
RecruitingPhase I/II

Tolerability of MDMA in Schizophrenia (TMS)

Open-label, ascending-dose, within-subject tolerability study (n=20) of MDMA (40, 80, 120 mg) in clinically stable patients with schizophrenia to assess psychotic symptom response at 24 hours.

Started
March 15, 2023
Type
interventional
Blinding
none
Randomized
No
Registry ID
NCT05770375

Explore further

Search all MDMA papers Search all Schizophrenia trials Full MDMA profile Full Schizophrenia profile