June 4, 2026
Jason B Luoma, M. Kati Lear, Brian Pilecki et al.
preprint
MDMA-Assisted Therapy (MDMA-AT) produced a large reduction in social anxiety symptoms compared to a waitlist condition in adults with social anxiety disorder. In a randomized open-label trial of 20 participants, those receiving MDMA-AT showed an average decrease of 43.3 points on the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale after 16 weeks, while the waitlist group did not. Improvements also occurred in functioning, shame, acceptance, belongingness, self-concealment, and self-compassion. Adverse events were mild to moderate and temporary; no serious adverse events occurred. These preliminary findings suggest MDMA-AT is safe and feasible for social anxiety disorder and warrant further research.
BMC Psychology
January 21, 2026
Christina Chwyl, Angelica Spata, Will Lucas et al.
Psychological context, or 'set,' is more strongly linked to the outcomes of psychedelic experiences than the specific substance used, suggesting a 'mindset-over-molecule' pattern. The findings indicate that the mental state and expectations of the user play a more influential role than the chemical properties of the drug alone.
Research Square
September 12, 2025
Christina Chwyl, Angelica Spata, Will Lucas et al.
Psilocybin and MDMA produce greater self-transcendent and mystical experiences than cannabis, even after accounting for contextual factors like personality and motivations, but the substance effects are small. Psychological factors—especially surrendering to the experience and having spiritual or prosocial motivations—are much stronger predictors, accounting for up to 58% of the variance in these experiences, compared to 10% or less for the substance alone. The findings suggest that mindset matters more than the specific molecule for producing self-transcendent and mystical experiences.