MDMA-assisted therapy: A new treatment model for social anxiety in autistic adults.
Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry January 4, 2016 Alicia L Danforth, Christopher M Struble, Berra Yazar-Klosinski et al. 110 citations
A clinical trial of MDMA-assisted therapy for social anxiety in autistic adults began in spring 2014. MDMA has been administered to over 1133 individuals in research without unexpected serious adverse events requiring expedited FDA reporting. The authors argue that established safety parameters justify developing MDMA-assisted interventions to help autistic adults improve social adaptability. MDMA, like classic psychedelics, can catalyze lasting openness and introspection without ongoing administration, reducing adverse event frequency and improving the risk/benefit ratio compared to daily medications. Clinicians could employ new treatment models using one to several MDMA sessions within supportive psychotherapy for social anxiety or similar distress.