Am J Bioeth
January 13, 2025
Jason B. Luoma, Jenna Lejeune
6 citations
Clear ethical guidelines for touch in psychedelic-assisted therapy are needed but often remain theoretical. This paper argues that to ensure patient safety and therapeutic integrity, abstract ethical principles must be translated into concrete, measurable practices. It proposes an operational framework that defines specific behaviors, boundaries, and assessment tools for ethical touch, allowing therapists to consistently apply and evaluate these standards. By moving from theory to practice, the framework aims to reduce risks, enhance patient care, and support professional conduct in a field where touch can be both healing and potentially harmful.
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.
PsyArXiv
January 10, 2026
Jason B Luoma, Jenna Lejeune, Brian Pilecki et al.
preprint
Touch can be a valuable therapeutic tool in psychedelic- and MDMA-assisted therapy, but its use requires careful guidelines to ensure safety and efficacy. This paper presents a model for practitioners and researchers outlining practical recommendations for supportive touch, emphasizing consent, attunement, and clear boundaries. The guidelines address when and how to use touch, such as during moments of distress or to ground a client, while minimizing risks of re-traumatization or boundary violations. The model aims to standardize practices, support training, and inform future research on touch in these therapies.