A single dose of psilocybin, but not MDMA, produced short-term psychological changes in healthy adults: reduced neuroticism, increased extraversion, and improvements in mindfulness and connectedness one week after dosing. Psilocybin also induced stronger mystical experiences than MDMA, and the magnitude of those experiences correlated with changes in connectedness and mindfulness, though not with personality changes. Participants preferred larger group settings for MDMA than for psilocybin. The findings suggest that psilocybin's psychological effects may be mediated by mystical-type experiences.
A patient with chronic PTSD from domestic violence no longer met diagnostic criteria for PTSD or major depression after MDMA-assisted therapy in an Australian outpatient clinic. Her Impact of Events Scale-Revised score dropped from 61 at intake to 0 after the second dosing session and remained 0 at 3- and 6-month follow-up. Depression and anxiety scores also fell to normal ranges after the second session and were maintained. She reported greater self-compassion, less distress from trauma memories, and improved daily functioning, including feeling comfortable leaving her children with family for the first time. No adverse events occurred; only loss of appetite in the first 24 hours after dosing was reported. The case illustrates safe and effective translation of psychedelic-assisted therapy into clinical practice.