MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy for Treatment of Anxiety and Other Psychological Distress Related to Life-threatening Illnesses: A Randomized Pilot Study
On November 24, 2020, a peer-reviewed study published in the journal Scientific Reports provided sufficient evidence to support further research into the palliative effects of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening illness. The pilot study, sponsored by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) and using protocols developed by MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC), demonstrated greater reduction in anxiety among participants who received MDMA relative to participants who received placebo with identical psychotherapy.While the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant, this small pilot study demonstrates the addition of MDMA to the intervention had a large effect size and justifies continued research. • Learn More
Marin: Study Closeout Visit Scheduled for June 7 - 8, 2018
A monitoring visit of the study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening illness in Marin, Calif., is scheduled to take place from June 7- 8, 2018. Clinical Operations Manager Rebecca Matthews and Clinical Research Associate Alia Lilienstein of MAPS will conduct the closeout visits. Led by Principal Investigator Phil Wolfson, M.D., with Co-Therapist Julane Andries, L.M.F.T., this study is gathering preliminary data about the safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with a diagnosis of a life-threatening illness.
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Marin: 14th Participant Completes Long-Term Follow-Up Interview
On March 19, 2018, the 14th of 18 participants completed their 12-month long-term follow-up interview in our ongoing Marin, Calif., study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening illness. On March 9 and 12, 2018, Clinical Operations Manager Rebecca Matthews and Clinical Research Associate Alia Lilienstein of MAPS Public Benefit Corporation completed monitoring visits. Led by Principal Investigator Phil Wolfson, M.D., with Co-Therapist Julane Andries, L.M.F.T., this study is gathering preliminary data about the safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with a diagnosis of a life-threatening illness. This study will close in May 2018.
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Marin: Tenth Participant Completes Long-Term Follow-Up Interviews
On November 17, 2017, the 10th of 18 participants completed their 12-month follow-up interview in our ongoing Marin, Calif., study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening illness. Led by Principal Investigator Phil Wolfson, M.D., with Co-Therapist Julane Andries, L.M.F.T., this study is gathering preliminary data about the safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with a diagnosis of a life-threatening illness.
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Marin: Eleventh Participant Completes Long-Term Follow-Up Interviews
On February 15, 2017, the 11th of 18 participants completed their 12-month follow-up interview in our ongoing Marin, Calif., study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening illness. Led by Principal Investigator Phil Wolfson, M.D., with Co-Therapist Julane Andries, L.M.F.T., this study is gathering preliminary data about the safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with a diagnosis of a life-threatening illness.
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Marin: Tenth Participant Completes Long-Term Follow-Up Interview
On August 29, 2017, the 10th of 18 participants completed their 12-month follow-up interview in our ongoing Marin, Calif., study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening illness. Led by Principal Investigator Phil Wolfson, M.D., with Co-Therapist Julane Andries, L.M.F.T., this study is gathering preliminary data about the safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with a diagnosis of a life-threatening illness.
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Marin: Eighth Participant Completes Long-Term Follow-Up Interviews
On August 2, 2017, the 8th of 18 participants completed their 12-month follow-up interview in our ongoing Marin, Calif., study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening illness. Led by Principal Investigator Phil Wolfson, M.D., with Co-Therapist Julane Andries, L.M.F.T., this study is gathering preliminary data about the safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with a diagnosis of a life-threatening illness.
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Marin: Seventh Participant Completes Long-Term Follow-Up Interviews
On July 17, 2017, the 7th of 18 participants completed their 12-month follow-up interview in our ongoing Marin, Calif., study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening illness. Led by Principal Investigator Phil Wolfson, M.D., with Co-Therapist Julane Andries, L.M.F.T., this study is gathering preliminary data about the safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with a diagnosis of a life-threatening illness. Learn more...
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Marin: 18th and Final Participant Completes Treatment
Marin: 18th and Final Participant Treated
Marin: 18th and Final Participant Enrolled; 17th Participant Treated
On February 26, 2017, the 18th and final participant enrolled in our ongoing study of
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening illness On February 13, 2017, the 17th of 18 participants was treated. Led by Principal Investigator Phil Wolfson, M.D., with Co-Therapist Julane Andries, L.M.F.T., this study is gathering preliminary data about the safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with diagnosis of a life-threatening illness in 18 participants.
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Marin: 15th and 16th Participants Treated; 17th Participant Enrolled
On January 19 and January 23, 2017, the 15th and 16th of 18 participants were treated in our ongoing study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening illness in Marin, Calif. The 17th participant was officially enrolled on January 30. Led by Principal Investigator Phil Wolfson, M.D., with Co-Therapist Julane Andries, L.M.F.T., this study is gathering preliminary data about the safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with diagnosis of a life-threatening illness in 18 participants. Learn more...
Marin: 14th Participant Treated; 16th Participant Enrolled
On December 12, 2016, the 14th of 18 participants was treated in our ongoing study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening illness in Marin, Calif. On January 6, 2017, the 16th participant was officially enrolled in the study. Led by Principal Investigator Phil Wolfson, M.D., with Co-Therapist Julane Andries, L.M.F.T., this study is gathering preliminary data about the safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with diagnosis of a life-threatening illness in 18 participants. We are currently screening additional participants for this study. Learn more...
Marin: 13th Participant Treated
On On November 17, 2016, the 13th participant was treated in our ongoing study of
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening illness in Marin, Calif. Led by Principal Investigator Phil Wolfson, M.D., with Co-therapist Julane Andries, L.M.F.T., this study is gathering preliminary data about the safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety in 18 subjects diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. We are currently screening additional participants for this study.
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Marin: 12th Participant Treated
On October 24, 2016, the 12th participant was treated in our ongoing study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening illness in Marin, Calif. Led by Principal Investigator Phil Wolfson, M.D., with Co-therapist Julane Andries, L.M.F.T., this study is gathering preliminary data about the safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety in 18 subjects diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. We are currently screening additional participants for this study. Learn more…
Marin: 11th Participant Treated; 12th Participant Enrolled
On September 15, 2016, the 11th participant was treated in our ongoing study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening illness in Marin, Calif. On August 26, 2016, the 12th participant was officially enrolled. Led by Principal Investigator Phil Wolfson, M.D., with co-therapist Julane Andries, LMFT, this study is gathering preliminary data about the safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety in 18 subjects diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. We are currently screening additional participants for this study.
Marin: Eleventh Participant Enrolled
On August 11, 2016, the 11th participant was enrolled in our ongoing study of
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening illness in Marin, Calif. Led by Principal Investigator Phil Wolfson, M.D., with co-therapist Julane Andries, LMFT, this study is gathering preliminary data about the safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for treating anxiety in 18 subjects diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. "Our study is progressing—13 subjects now —with wonderful experiences and gratifying changes in awareness, reductions of fear, self-worth, and relationships," reports Dr. Wolfson. "As our subjects have life-threatening illnesses, there is the unfortunate possibility of relapse or recurrence. With great sadness, we report the loss of one of our subjects to recurrent cancer. We are privileged to do this work in all its seriousness and great beauty."
Marin: Ninth Participant Treated; One More Enrolled
On May 9, 2016, the ninth participant was treated in our ongoing study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening illness in Marin, Calif. The 10th participant was enrolled on May 12 (after the previous 10th participant relocated and dropped out). Led by Principal Investigator Phil Wolfson, M.D., with co-therapist Julane Andries, LMFT, this study is gathering preliminary data about the safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety in 18 subjects diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. “I can live my life right now,” explains study participant Wendy Donner. “That is such a gift for me.”
Marin: Tenth Participant Treated
On June 6, 2016, the tenth participant was treated in our ongoing study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for
anxiety associated with life-threatening illness in Marin, Calif. Led by Principal Investigator Phil Wolfson, M.D., with co-therapist Julane Andries, LMFT, this study is gathering preliminary data about the safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety in 18 subjects diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Study participant Andy Gold speaks about his experience with MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, stating, "It has this incredible capacity for opening you up to yourself."
Marin: Eighth Participant Treated; Two More Enrolled
On April 18, 2016, the eighth participant was treated in our ongoing study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for
anxiety associated with life-threatening illness in Marin, Calif. Led by Principal Investigator Phil Wolfson, M.D., with co-therapist Julane Andries, LMFT, this study is gathering preliminary data about the safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety in 18 subjects diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. The eighth participant was enrolled on April 4 (after the previous participant dropped out), and the ninth and 10th participants were enrolled on April 14. “These visions would bubble up and come to me piece by piece,” recalls study participant John Saul of Sausalito, Calif. “My heart really cracked open. It helped me overcome my fear-based defenses.” On May 3, MAPS was a proud participant in Silicon Valley Gives, an online fundraising effort led by the Silicon Valley Community Foundation with proceeds supporting this trial.
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