Psilociety Weekly: MDMA, Psychedelics, Consciousness & War on Drugs

From dance floors to the therapist’s couch, MDMA is making its mark—and the Aussies are leading the charge in MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD.

This week, we unpack MDMA’s potential as medicine, the hidden agendas behind prohibition, and the mysteries of human consciousness.

We also revisit a 2021 study where researcher Joshua Falcon examined how psychedelics influence human consciousness and relationships with the environment, aiming to challenge traditional perspectives and advocate for drug policy reform.

?? This Week in Psychedelic Science

This week we focus on MDMA

• A new meta-analysis found MDMA-assisted psychotherapy significantly improves PTSD symptoms, response, and remission rates. However, evidence quality remains low due to methodological limitations and bias, with moderate-quality evidence indicating increased transient adverse events. Read full summary ??
• Researchers are creating Australia's first clinical practice guideline for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. The guideline will assess benefits, risks, and ethical considerations, providing structured recommendations for clinicians and policymakers. Read full summary ??
• A new study explored the preparations and consequences of psychedelic drug use at rave music parties in Israel. It found that attendees engage in physical, cognitive, and social preparations, with post-event experiences ranging from physical and emotional aftereffects to cognitive shifts and enhanced social bonds. Read full summary ??
• A new review examined the impact of psychedelic therapies on suicide-related outcomes. While psilocybin and MDMA-assisted therapy showed significant reductions in suicidal ideation in some studies, LSD was linked to increased suicidality. Findings remain inconclusive, highlighting the need for further trials to clarify safety and efficacy.?Read full summary ??

???Deep Dive: Featured Study of the Week

Title:? Development of an Australian Clinical Practice Guideline on MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy for PTSD

Published In:?medRxiv (Preprint)

Key Finding:?Researchers are developing Australia's first clinical practice guideline for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy to support clinicians in providing structured, evidence-based care for PTSD. The guideline will evaluate treatment benefits, risks, and ethical considerations.

Why It Matters:

• Standardized Care?– Establishes clear guidelines for clinicians prescribing MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD.
• Patient Safety?– Ensures treatment protocols prioritize safety, minimizing potential risks.
• Ethical Considerations?– Addresses concerns around accessibility, informed consent, and patient monitoring.
• Regulatory Compliance?– Aligns with Australia’s evolving legal framework for psychedelic therapies.
• Clinical Training & Support?– Provides structured recommendations for psychiatrists and therapists new to MDMA therapy.
• Improved Patient Outcomes?– Aims to enhance the effectiveness of MDMA-assisted therapy through evidence-based practices.
• Public & Policy Impact?– Helps shape broader discussions on psychedelic medicine in healthcare policy and mental health treatment globally.

Read the full summary with link to the full study ??

????Expert Insights

Joshua Falcon on the war on drugs as a colonial and biopolitical mechanism:

"The war on drugs is not just about substance control; it's about controlling the range of human consciousness and who gets to define legitimate knowledge."

Researcher Joshua Falcon argued in a 2021 study that drug prohibition isn’t just about banning substances—it’s about controlling which states of mind are acceptable in society.

His study suggests that psychedelic prohibition reinforces Western worldviews while suppressing indigenous knowledge and alternative ways of understanding reality.

Falcon explores how psychedelics could act as tools for breaking free from these restrictions, challenging power structures, and opening up new perspectives on consciousness.

Read the full summary here ??

???Community & Resources

Books, podcasts, events, and educational content for the Psilociety community.

?? Recommended Book - The Bloomsbury Handbook of Religious Ecstasy (Available for pre-order—Publishing March 20, 2025)?explores the diverse ways people experience ecstatic states, from mystics and shamans to ordinary individuals. Covering trance, possession, prayer, and psychedelic use, it reveals how religious ecstasy remains a powerful and evolving force in modern life.

??? Podcast Recommendation - What is consciousness and what can psychedelics teach us about the nature of conscious awareness? This episode dives into the nature of consciousness and how psychedelics can alter perception, emotions, and beliefs. The hosts explore altered states, the subconscious mind, and the neuroscience behind psychedelics, discussing their potential to relax or strengthen beliefs. They also emphasize the importance of ethical guidance and nuanced discussions in psychedelic therapy.

?? Upcoming event - Psychedelic Therapeutics & Drug Development Conference May 19 to 20, 2025, in San Diego, CA, gathers leading researchers and industry leaders to discuss challenges and opportunities in developing psychedelics for health conditions with unmet needs. Topics include treatments for disorders such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, and opioid use disorder.

???Research Spotlight: Open Calls & Clinical Trials

Opportunities to participate in psychedelic research.

United States

• Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for Smoking Cessation?– NYU Langone's Center for Psychedelic Medicine is recruiting individuals interested in quitting smoking for a study involving psilocybin-assisted therapy.
• Psilocybin for Chronic Low Back Pain?– The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is conducting a study to evaluate whether psilocybin therapy can help patients cope more effectively with chronic low back pain
• Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for Depression and Anxiety in Advanced Cancer?– NYU Langone's Center for Psychedelic Medicine is seeking participants for a study examining the effects of psilocybin-assisted therapy on depression and anxiety in patients with advanced cancer.
• Psilocybin for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?– Sheppard Pratt is recruiting participants with GAD for a study involving MM120 (a semisynthetic form of LSD) to assess its potential in improving anxiety symptoms.
• Psilocybin for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)?– Sheppard Pratt is also seeking participants with MDD for a trial evaluating the efficacy of MM120 in alleviating depressive symptoms.

United Kingdom

• Psychedelics and Couples Study?– Imperial College London is investigating the long-term effects of psychedelics, including MDMA and psilocybin, on romantic couples. They are seeking couples planning to use these substances together.
• Ketamine and Synaptogenesis Study?– Imperial College London is recruiting participants for a study exploring how ketamine affects synaptogenesis (the formation of new neural connections) and its potential role in treating depression. Researchers aim to better understand ketamine’s impact on brain plasticity and mental health.
• Psilocybin for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Study?– Imperial College London is seeking participants for a study investigating the effects of psilocybin on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The research aims to explore how psilocybin impacts symptoms and brain function in individuals with OCD.
• DMT and Synaptogenesis Study?– Imperial College London is recruiting participants to explore how DMT influences synaptogenesis (the formation of new neural connections). This study aims to understand its potential role in neuroplasticity and mental health treatments.