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

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. Learn more...

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. Learn more...

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. Learn more...

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. Learn more...

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. Learn more...

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. Learn more...

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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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On May 1, 2017, the 18th and final participant received their final experimental treatment 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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On March 13, 2017, the 18th and final participant was treated in our ongoing Marin, CA, 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...

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. Learn more...

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...

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...

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. Learn more...

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…

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.

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."

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.”

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."

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. Watch the video

On March 7, 2016, the eighth 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 anxiety in 18 subjects diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. On April 3, investigators announced that the first participant has been scanned in an additional fMRI brain imaging study of the physiological correlates of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy in subjects with anxiety associated with life-threatening illness. The brain imaging sub-study is a collaboration between the MAPS-sponsored study and Michael Silver, Ph.D., at the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute at the University of California, Berkeley. 

On February 26, 2016, four participants from our ongoing study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening illness in Marin, Calif., described their experience in the study for a special segment on KPIX/CBS 5 San Francisco Bay Area. The study participants detail how their experiences receiving MDMA-assisted psychotherapy in a controlled clinical environment helped them process and overcome their anxieties. “It opens you up to yourself and in the right conditions, in a protected environment with supportive people in a safe place, I think it’s a tremendous tool,” explains study participant Andy Gold. Watch the interviews.

On December 17, 2015, the seventh subject received their first experimental treatment in our ongoing study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening illness. This subject was enrolled on December 4. Led by Principal Investigator Phil Wolfson, M.D., with co-therapist Julane Andries, LMFT, in Marin, Calif., this study will treat 18 subjects suffering from anxiety related to a life-threatening disease that is either ongoing or in remission with a possibility of recurrence. “I love being an MDMA psychotherapist,” reports Dr. Wolfson in his Winter 2015 MAPS Bulletin article. “I am profoundly moved by the experiences and changes in heart, mind, and connections that I experience with my subjects as an MDMA-assisted psychotherapy practitioner.” We currently expect all experimental sessions in this study will be completed in late 2016.

On November 30, 2015, the sixth subject received their first experimental treatment in our ongoing study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening illness. This subject was enrolled on November 4. Led by Principal Investigator Phil Wolfson, M.D., with co-therapist Julane Andries, LMFT, in Marin, Calif., this study will treat 18 subjects suffering from anxiety related to a life-threatening disease that is either ongoing or in remission with a possibility of recurrence. “I lost my oldest son Noah to leukemia when he was nearly 17. He taught me about the passion to live and to try anything, no matter how difficult, to keep his life going,” recalls Dr. Wolfson in his Winter 2015 MAPS Bulletin article. “Our current study with 18 subjects embraces Noah’s path. His inspiration guides my work with those who struggle with life-threatening illnesses.” We currently expect all experimental sessions in this study will be completed in late 2016.

As of October 29, 2015, two subjects out of 18 have completed all treatments in our ongoing study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening illness. Five participants have been enrolled, and one has withdrawn due to their inability to discontinue their existing anxiety medications. Led by Principal Investigator Phil Wolfson, M.D., with co-therapist Julane Andries, LMFT, in Marin, Calif., this study will treat 18 subjects suffering from anxiety related to a life-threatening disease that is either ongoing or in remission with a possibility of recurrence. “One of our participants has completed her secondary endpoint this month, marking what is essentially a completion of her participation in the study,” reports study coordinator John Hartberg. “With her permission, we present an excerpt from the day after an experimental session as she reflects on an MDMA-assisted psychotherapy session:

It is very striking to me how clean and pure and easy this was, compared to so many things I have tried to do...Each time my therapist inquires about disturbances, I check and am astonished there are none...What I like about MDMA, this kind of approach, is I get to remain autonomous and still explore this stuff. It doesn’t seem to depend on some artificially created dependence or alliance that leaves me feeling exposed or needy or like a child when I am clearly not one. It feels really natural.”

We currently expect all experimental sessions in this study will be completed in late 2016.

On September 21, 2015 the fifth subject received their first experimental session in our ongoing 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, LMFT, in Marin, Calif., this study will treat 18 subjects suffering from anxiety related to a life-threatening disease that is either ongoing or in remission with a possibility of recurrence. “With this much commitment of time, you get to know the people with whom you are working, and they get to know you,” writes Dr. Wolfson in his upcoming Winter 2014 MAPS Bulletin article. “Unlike with traditional psychotherapies, there is time for process; for handling transference and counter-transference; for meeting partners and friends; for staying in the trench and not pressuring to get out of it; for rectification, reframing, validation, and for the spirit to emerge; for agony and ecstasy...I am so pleased to have the time and the openness that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy engenders to know and feel, at a deep level, the people coming into our study.” We currently expect all experimental sessions in this study will be completed by late 2016.

On July 2 and July 6, 2015, the first two subjects were treated in our ongoing study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening illness. The fourth subject was enrolled on June 18. Led by Principal Investigator Phil Wolfson, M.D., with co-therapist Julane Andries, LMFT, in Marin, Calif., this study will treat 18 subjects suffering from anxiety related to a life-threatening disease that is either ongoing or in remission with a possibility of recurrence. "We're not just sitting in an office for 50 minutes," Dr. Wolfson told the San Francisco Chronicle in a May 24 cover article. "We go for as long as we need in a warm, friendly atmosphere."

On May 29, June 1, and June 8, 2015, the first three subjects were enrolled in our ongoing study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening illness. Led by Principal Investigator Dr. Phil Wolfson in Marin, Calif., this study will treat 18 subjects suffering from anxiety related to a life-threatening disease that is either ongoing or in remission with a possibility of recurrence. "I feel absolutely honored to be meeting and working with our first three participants," writes co-therapist Julane Andries, LMFT. "As they share their stories, and the physical and emotional pain they have endured, I am most impressed with their drive to seek help to be free from the fear, the anxiety, and depression that can come as one lives with life threatening illness." On Sunday, May 24, the San Francisco Chronicle published a front-page article by journalist Don Lattin about increasing public understanding of psychedelic therapy research. "It's a really interesting and a very powerful new approach," Dr. Thomas Insel, director of the National Institute of Mental Health, told the Chronicle. "It's not just taking MDMA. It's taking it in the context of a treatment that involves improved insight and increased skills and using this in the broader context of psychotherapy."

On April 9-10, 2015, the formal study initiation visits took place for our new study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening illness. MAPS and site staff reviewed the study protocol and prepared documents for the upcoming study. Located in Marin, Calif., and led by Principal Investigator Phil Wolfson, M.D., this study will gather preliminary data about the safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety in 18 subjects diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. In order to explore alternative methods of delivering MDMA-assisted psychotherapy and to reduce treatment costs, this study is also utilizing student therapists receiving credit as one member of the co-therapist team. “Stigma is no longer standing in the way of regulatory approval for research into the therapeutic uses of MDMA and other psychedelics,” said Brad Burge of MAPS in a March 18 article in The Huffington Post. “Now, the main challenge has become finding the funding necessary to complete the research. As these studies move forward, we'll start seeing support for psychedelic research as an opportunity, rather than a risk.” Learn more...

On March 13, 2015, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration approved the Schedule I license for Phil Wolfson, M.D., the Principal Investigator for our upcoming study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening illness. This was the final regulatory approval needed for the study, which was approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) on September 16, 2014, the Research Advisory Panel of California (RAPC) on December 15, 2014, and by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on November 13, 2014. Located in Marin, Calif., this study will gather preliminary data about the safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety in 18 subjects diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. The study site is now preparing for initiation and to begin screening subjects. Learn more...

On December 15, 2014, the Research Advisory Panel of California (RAP-C) approved the protocol and informed consent documents for our upcoming study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening illness. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the protocol on November 13. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 study, to be conducted in Marin, Calif., and led by Phil Wolfson, M.D., will gather preliminary data about the safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety in 18 subjects diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) on September 16. The final step before we can begin screening subjects will be to obtain the Schedule I license from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, which we do not anticipate to be a major hurdle. Thank you to the over 600 people who helped support this study by attending our sold-out screening of Dying to Know, a new film by Gay Dillingham about Timothy Leary and Ram Dass' life and friendship. View the study protocol...

On November 13, 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the protocol for our upcoming study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening illness. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 study, to be conducted in Marin, Calif., and led by Phil Wolfson, M.D., will gather preliminary data about the safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety in 18 subjects diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) on September 16. On November 19, the Research Advisory Panel of California (RAP-C) is scheduled to review our responses to their request for several changes to the protocol and Informed Consent form, as California is the only U.S. state with a separate review process for Schedule I drug research. The study will also require approval from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration before we can begin screening subjects. Read April Short's October 31 article about the study, and her November 6 Reset.me article, "Psychedelics Could Change the Way We Die." View the study protocol...

On October 7, 2014, the protocol for our new study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening illness was submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for review. The FDA has 30 days (until November 7) to respond with comments, with no response indicating that the study may proceed. The Institutional Review Board approved the protocol on September 16. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 study, located in Marin, Calif., will gather preliminary data about the safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety in 18 subjects diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. The study will be led by Principal Investigator Phil Wolfson, M.D. The study will also require approval from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration before we can begin screening subjects. The Research Advisory Panel of California (RAP-C) will review the protocol on November 19 (California is the only U.S. state with its own review panel for Schedule I drug research).

On August 6, 2014, the protocol for our new study of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with life-threatening illness was submitted to the Institutional Review Board. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 study, located in Marin, Calif., will gather preliminary data about the safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety in 18 subjects diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Principal Investigator Phil Wolfson, M.D., is a currently practicing psychiatrist with substantial experience using MDMA in psychotherapy before MDMA was criminalized in 1985. On August 21, the protocol was submitted for review to the Research Advisory Panel of California. On September 5, the IRB gave conditional approval for the study, pending one final point related to subject privacy. Once this final discussion with the IRB has been completed, the protocol will be submitted to the Food and Drug Administration and Drug Enforcement Administration for review. Read Dr. Wolfson's published 1986 article on MDMA-assisted psychotherapy in the Journal of Psychopharmacology.

Category: MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy: MAPS-Sponsored Clinical Trials

Our ongoing randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 study, located in Marin, California, is gathering preliminary data about the safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety in 18 subjects diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.

Principal Investigator: Phil Wolfson, M.D.
Co-Therapist: Julane Andries, LMFT
Location: Marin, CA

The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) on September 16, 2014, by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on November 13, 2014, and by the Research Advisory Panel of California (RAP-C) on December 15, 2014. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) approved the Principal Investigator's Schedule I license on March 13, 2015. This study is now enrolling and treating subjects.

For information about study participation, contact Dr. Phil Wolfson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

• Study Protocol (April 29, 2015)
• Study Timeline
• Treatment Manual
• Press Release

Read Dr. Wolfson's published 1986 article on MDMA-assisted psychotherapy in the Journal of Psychopharmacology.

$627,000 estimated study cost • $218,000 raised • $409,000 still needed

Please consider donating today to help this study.