Investigating the Role of Self-Compassion in MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder
Open Science Framework – January 01, 2026
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Individuals undergoing MDMA-assisted therapy for social anxiety disorder may experience significant increases in self-compassion, which could enhance mental health outcomes. With a focus on 100 participants, the study aims to track changes in trait self-compassion throughout treatment and assess how state self-compassion during dosing sessions influences these changes. Key areas of evaluation include reductions in social anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and internalized shame. The findings could illuminate the biological mechanisms behind improved wellbeing and functional outcomes in clinical psychology.
Abstract
Self-compassion is theorized to play a central role in promoting mental health and wellbeing, including for individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD). One proposed mechanism of MDMA-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) for SAD is the cultivation of self-compassion. Across five aims, we will characterize self-compassion experiences during MDMA-AT and evaluate its role as a potential mechanism of therapeutic change. Specifically, we will examine whether trait self-compassion increases over the course of treatment and whether state self-compassion experienced during MDMA dosing sessions contributes to these changes and to clinical outcomes: Aim 1 establishes whether trait self-compassion significantly increases over treatment and explores its trajectory of change. Aim 2 examines whether state self-compassion experienced during dosing sessions translates to enduring changes in trait self-compassion over the course of MDMA-AT. Aims 3 and 4 evaluate whether changes in trait self-compassion (Aim 3) and levels of state self-compassion during dosing (Aim 4) are associated with changes in mental health, wellbeing and functional outcomes, including: (a) social anxiety symptoms, (b) global functional impairment, (c) depressive symptoms, (d) internalized shame, and (e) sense of belonging. Aim 5 evaluates whether the intensity of state self-compassion differs across the two MDMA dosing sessions.