Interpersonal Functioning & Social Connectedness
Research on psychedelics highlights their potential to enhance interpersonal functioning and social connectedness, particularly through compounds such as psilocybin and MDMA. These compounds may facilitate therapeutic outcomes in various mental health disorders by fostering emotional connectivity and empathy among individuals.
Key Insights
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Psychedelics like psilocybin and MDMA have been shown to improve interpersonal functioning by enhancing empathy and emotional awareness.
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Recent clinical trials indicate that one-time treatments with psilocybin can lead to sustained increases in social connectedness and prosocial behaviour.
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MDMA has demonstrated the ability to reduce fear responses and promote trust in therapeutic settings, enhancing interpersonal interactions among patients.
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Psychedelic-assisted therapies show promise in treating social anxiety and conditions characterised by poor social functioning, such as PTSD and major depressive disorder.
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The neurobiological mechanisms of psychedelics involve increased functional connectivity within brain networks related to social processing and emotion regulation.
What is Interpersonal Functioning & Social Connectedness?
Interpersonal functioning involves the ability of individuals to form and maintain relationships with others. It is crucial for mental health and well-being.
Social connectedness refers to the sense of belonging and connection with others. Low social connectedness is associated with a range of psychological issues and can lead to heightened feelings of isolation.
Pathophysiologically, deficits in interpersonal functioning may stem from underlying mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and trauma, which impair social cognition and emotional responses.
Symptoms of poor interpersonal functioning include difficulty in forming relationships, social anxiety, increased conflict in relationships, and a lack of empathy or emotional understanding of others.
Current Treatments
Standard treatments for issues relating to interpersonal functioning include psychotherapy, antidepressants, social skills training, and integrative therapies that focus on enhancing emotional and vocational support.
Psychedelic Effect Matrix
Compound efficacy and evidence levels for Interpersonal Functioning & Social Connectedness.
| Compound | Magnitude | Evidence | Consistency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psilocybin Clinical trials consistently show that psilocybin enhances feelings of social connectedness and emotional empathy. | Large | High | Consistent |
| MDMA MDMA’s ability to reduce anxiety and foster trust is well-documented in therapeutic settings, improving interpersonal dynamics. | Large | High | Consistent |
| LSD While LSD shows promise, its effects on social connectedness are more variable compared to psilocybin and MDMA. | Medium | Moderate | Inconsistent |
| Ketamine Ketamine has been found to improve depressive symptoms, which can indirectly enhance interpersonal connections. | Medium | Moderate | Inconsistent |
Psilocybin and Interpersonal Functioning & Social Connectedness
Psilocybin, the active compound in several species of mushrooms, has shown robust effects on enhancing interpersonal functioning. Clinical studies suggest that psilocybin can significantly elevate feelings of empathy and connectedness, particularly in group therapy settings. Participants in clinical trials noted improved relationships and social engagement post-administration, reflecting psilocybin's potential to create lasting benefits in social contexts.
MDMA and Interpersonal Functioning & Social Connectedness
MDMA, often associated with social bonding and increased emotional openness, has been included in numerous psychotherapy protocols to treat conditions like PTSD. Research indicates that MDMA promotes feelings of empathy, trust, and emotional safety, which can be particularly beneficial for individuals struggling with social anxiety or interpersonal conflicts. Its effects can lead to improved relational dynamics and better therapeutic outcomes due to enhanced communication skills.
Clinical Outlook
Looking ahead, the integration of psychedelic-assisted therapies in clinical practice may revolutionise treatment approaches for individuals struggling with interpersonal and social connection issues. Continued research and clinical trials will be essential for understanding the optimal usage of these compounds and their long-term effects on social functioning.
Industrial Landscape
Key players in this space include the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), the Beckley Foundation, and various academic institutions conducting clinical trials focused on psychedelic research.
Quick Indicators
Organisations
Search →National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
U.S. federal institute setting addiction-research priorities and portfolios, including psychedelic-related investigations.
METIV Israel Psychotrauma Center
The METIV Israel Psychotrauma Center is a leading authority in trauma treatment and research. The center is involved in exploring MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD, aligning with a broader mission to develop advanced treatment methods for trauma-related conditions exacerbated by conflict.
Resilient Pharmaceuticals
Resilient Pharmaceuticals (formerly Lykos Therapeutics, formerly MAPS PBC) is a US-based public benefit corporation developing MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD. It was founded in 2014 by MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) as a commercial spinout to carry MAPS’ three decades of MDMA research through late-stage trials and regulatory approval. After completing two Phase 3 trials and filing an NDA in 2024, the FDA issued a Complete Response Letter (CRL) in August 2024, citing concerns about functional unblinding, durability of response, safety reporting at two trial sites, and the challenge of blinding psychedelic studies. The CRL requested a third Phase 3 trial. Following the rejection, the company laid off approximately 75% of staff. In May 2025, billionaire investors Antonio Gracias (Gracias Foundation) and Sir Christopher Hohn (TCI Fund) led a $50 million Series B recapitalisation, installing new leadership: CEO Mike Burke and CMO Javier Muniz. Rick Doblin, MAPS’ founder, remains supportive of the new direction. The company rebranded from Lykos Therapeutics to Resilient Pharmaceuticals on 28 August 2025, and continues to negotiate a path to FDA approval for MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD.
MAPS
Nonprofit organizer and host of the Psychedelic Science conference series, alongside broader educational and policy programming.
University of Amsterdam
The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is one of the Netherlands' leading research universities, with its Amsterdam UMC Department of Psychiatry conducting clinical trials on psilocybin and psychedelic-assisted therapies for treatment-resistant mental health conditions.
Portland Psychotherapy
Portland Psychotherapy is a Portland, Oregon clinic, research, and training center that integrates psychedelic science into evidence-based clinical practice, conducting clinical trials of MDMA-assisted therapy for social anxiety disorder and offering psychedelic integration services. Their distinctive model funds peer-reviewed research through clinical revenue, resulting in exceptionally well-trained therapists in psychedelic-assisted care.
Columbia University
Research with psychedelics has been taking place at Columbia University in New York since 2014. Researchers from various departments at the university including Medicine, Psychology and Psychiatry have conducted numerous trials investigating the effects ketamine has on substance use disorders. Some research exploring the anti-depressant effects of ketamine has also taken place. More recently, Columbia University served as a test site for COMPASS Pathway's COMP360 trial which explored the effects of psilocybin on treatment-resistant depression. Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Dr David Hellerstein served as the principal investigator at this study site.
Vancouver Island University
In response to the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, a research group at Vancouver Island University (VIU) has been awarded funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research for the exploration of psychedelic therapies for front-line workers. Led by Dr Shannon Dames, the team are currently focusing on ketamine-assisted therapy for front-line workers experiencing symptoms of PTSD and emotional distress as a result of their experiences working through the pandemic.
University of Basel
The University of Basel Department of Biomedicine hosts the Liechti Lab research group, headed by Matthias Liechti. Research here is primarily focused on the pharmacology of psychoactive substances. Much of the clinical research exploring the effects of LSD is taking place at University Hospital Basel. Researchers here are exploring the potential of LSD to treat Cluster Headache, Major Depressive Disorder and anxiety associated with severe somatic diseases. Professor Liechti is also conducting studies comparing the acute effects of LSD, psilocybin and mescaline, and MDMA for fear extinction.
Usona Institute
Usona Institute is a US-based 501(c)(3) non-profit medical research organisation (MRO) headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin. Co-founded in 2014 by Bill Linton (CEO of Promega Corporation) and Malynn Utzinger, M.D., Usona was established after Linton witnessed the profound impact of a Johns Hopkins psilocybin study on a terminally ill friend. Unlike commercial drug developers, Usona operates as a mission-driven MRO — conducting and supporting pre-clinical and clinical research on psilocybin and other consciousness-expanding medicines, with the goal of developing accessible, affordable treatments. Its research leadership includes Dr. Charles Raison (Director of Clinical and Translational Research, UW-Madison psychiatrist) and Dr. Alexander Sherwood (medicinal chemist). Usona's psilocybin programme received FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for major depressive disorder in 2019. After completing the Phase 2 PSIL201 study (the largest Phase 2 randomised controlled trial of psilocybin for MDD at the time), the Institute launched the Phase 3 uAspire trial in 2024 — a 240-participant, randomised, double-blind, multicentre study comparing 25 mg psilocybin vs placebo in adults with MDD. Usona is also exploring 5-MeO-DMT in early-stage research.
University of California San Diego
The Psychedelics and Health Research Initiative (PHRI) focuses heavily on conducting pilot studies and clinical trials while collecting diverse biometric data—including fMRI, EEG, and cognitive metrics—from study participants. This data-driven approach aims to unravel the biological and neurological underpinnings of how psychedelics facilitate healing.
Maastricht University
While Maastricht University may not have a single dedicated psychedelic research group, various researchers at the university are investigating the effects of psychedelics. Early research exploring psychedelics at Maastricht focused on the dangers of MDMA. Now, research into the effects of microdosing is being led by Dr Kim Kuypers. Other research ongoing at the university is investigating cannabis as well as novel psychoactive substances (NPS). Maastricht is collaborating on research with the Beckley Foundation as well as Silo Pharma.
People
Search →Robin Murphy
Researcher at the University of Auckland School of Pharmacy
She is a coauthor on multiple human psychedelic studies spanning LSD microdosing, sleep, and psilocybin/escitalopram comparisons, making her part of the team contributing to the modern evidence base for psychedelic medicine.
Henrik Jungaberle
Dr. sc. hum., CEO and founder of the MIND Foundation; Head of Development at OVID Clinic Berlin
He is a prominent European psychedelic research and implementation figure contributing to psilocybin clinical trials, harm reduction, and healthcare integration work.
Aaron Klaiber
Doctoral researcher at the University of Basel
He appears as an author on multiple controlled human psychedelic studies spanning DMT, mescaline, MDMA, LSD, and psilocybin, suggesting a substantial role in contemporary psychopharmacology research.
Juliana Rocha
Doutoranda em Ciências Médicas / Saúde Mental at the Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo
She is a recurring coauthor on clinical psychedelic studies, especially ayahuasca trials on social anxiety, emotion recognition, personality, and social cognition, helping expand the human evidence base for psychedelic-assisted psychiatric research.
Michiel Van Elk
Associate Professor of Cognitive Psychology at Leiden University
Michiel van Elk is a prominent psychedelic science researcher known for rigorous, skeptical work on psilocybin, microdosing, expectancy effects, and the psychological mechanisms and risks of psychedelic experiences.
Erich Studerus
Psychologist and Scientific Director at fepsy Basel; Lecturer at FHNW
He is a recurring author on influential human psychedelic studies, especially on psilocybin, LSD, MDMA, and ayahuasca effects and predictors of response.
Anna Forsyth
Doctoral researcher / researcher at the University of Auckland
She is an author on multiple clinical studies of LSD microdosing in depression and related psychedelic psychiatry work, contributing to early human evidence on efficacy, tolerability, and mechanism.
Yvan Beaussant
Instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School and palliative care physician at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
He is a leading clinical researcher in psychedelic-assisted therapy for serious illness, especially cancer-related depression, demoralization, and existential distress.
Marta Valle
PhD; researcher/lecturer in Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and associated researcher at Institut de Recerca de l’Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau
She is a key clinical psychopharmacology researcher on human ayahuasca studies, including neurophysiology, pharmacokinetics, and potential therapeutic effects on mindfulness and emotion regulation.
Neşe Devenot
Senior Lecturer in the University Writing Program at Johns Hopkins University
Neşe Devenot is a notable critic and scholar of psychedelic medicine whose work examines ethics, public discourse, and the social meanings of psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Christopher Davoli
Associate Professor of Psychology at Central Michigan University
He is a cognitive psychologist whose work with colleagues has helped document acute and longer-term effects of psychedelics on perception, experience, and psychological outcomes.
Heith Copes
Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Alabama at Birmingham
Heith Copes is a criminologist whose research connects drug use, identity, and narrative meaning, including multiple collaborations on classic psychedelics, microdosing, and related social/behavioral outcomes.
Connected Evidence
The latest clinical data and verified academic findings associated with Interpersonal Functioning & Social Connectedness.