A Pilot Study of MDMA-Assisted Therapy for the Treatment of Narcissism
Why We Are Doing This Study
We’re conducting a pilot study to evaluate the safety and potential benefits of MDMA-Assisted Therapy (MDMA-AT) for individuals with pathological narcissism or narcissistic personality disorder. The study involves three non-directive therapy sessions with MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine).
Participant Recruitment
If you are treating a patient with pathological narcissism who is informed about their diagnosis, please consider sharing this website with them to determine their eligibility. Importantly, participants must concurrently attend regular therapy sessions with you throughout the study duration.
Understanding Pathological Narcissism
Pathological narcissism involves expressions of both narcissistic grandiosity and vulnerability. These individuals exhibit an inflated sense of self-importance, entitlement, a need for excessive admiration, impaired empathy, fragile self-esteem, deep-seated shame, inferiority, hypersensitivity to criticism, and emotional instability. They often adopt maladaptive strategies to maintain an image of exceptionalism to mask their vulnerabilities, impacting their ability to form genuine, reciprocal relationships.
Study Details
The study spans approximately 10 months and includes 20 visits, with three sessions involving MDMA.
Eligibility Criteria
- Between 18 and 64 years old.
- Ongoing (> 6 months) individual psychotherapy.
- Ability to wean off psychoactive medications during the study.
- Exclusion of individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding, have an unstable medical condition, a history of active suicidality in the past year, or substance use disorders.
- Participants must agree to allow their personal psychotherapist and a chosen family member to fill out confidential questionnaires on their narcissistic behaviors before and after the MDMA treatments.
Safety Measures
This study has received approval from the FDA and the University of Washington Institutional Review Board (IRB). The MDMA used is pharmaceutical-grade, synthesized by PharmAla Biotech. However, MDMA is not currently FDA-approved, and its benefits in this setting are unknown.
Your Support is Invaluable
If you have suitable patients, please refer them to this website. Your support and collaboration are invaluable. If you have any questions about the study or want to contact the investigators, please email us.