Investigating the Role of Self-Compassion in MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder
Open Science Framework January 1, 2026 Christina Chwyl, M. Kati Lear, Sunjeev Kamboj et al.
Self-compassion is thought to be important for mental health, especially for people with social anxiety disorder. MDMA-assisted therapy may work by increasing self-compassion. This study will examine whether trait self-compassion rises during treatment and whether self-compassion felt during MDMA dosing sessions leads to lasting changes. It will also test if changes in self-compassion relate to improvements in social anxiety, depression, shame, functioning, and belonging. Five specific aims are outlined to explore these relationships across two dosing sessions.