UNLESS YOU SWALLOW IT –
March 7, 2024 – Professor David Nutt, director of the Neuropsychopharmacology Unit at Imperial College London’s division of brain sciences, who researches psychedelics, said in an email that the study results “are very exciting data in what can be a difficult to treat population (anxiety).” While it was not the study’s primary purpose, results did show that MM120 also improved signs of depression, Karlin said. “We saw rapid and robust improvement on depression symptoms in people — depression and anxiety have overlapping disease definitions.”
No use of psychotherapy
Most research with MDMA and psilocybin has relied on the use of trained therapists who meet and establish a rapport with participants before the drug is administered. Those therapists are then on hand during the “trip” to help each person assimilate the experience, thus helping assure the lasting impact of any psychological insights.
The MM120 study, however, was accomplished without the use of psychotherapy during the session. Instead, monitors sat in the room to assure safety, but spent their time “mostly reading books,” Karlin said.
