MDMA for Schizophrenia

2 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.

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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.

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Academic Research

2 papers

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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: Abbate, V., Faber, S., Greenway, K. T., La Torre, J. T., Mahammadli, M., Williams, M. T.

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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., Davani, A. J., Holland, J., Kane, J. M., Spitzberg, A. J., Vadhan, N. P.

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

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