Wellness-uptodate

Researchers are exploring the potential use of MDMA, commonly known as “ecstasy” or “molly,” as a tool to treat loneliness. Amid concerns about a growing loneliness epidemic, early studies suggest that MDMA could enhance social connectedness and reduce defensiveness. In a recent small-scale study involving 18 participants, those who took MDMA reported increased feelings of connection during social interactions. While the study is limited, researchers believe it has implications for MDMA-assisted therapy, particularly in helping patients feel safe and trusting for deeper emotional exploration. MDMA is currently being investigated for its therapeutic potential and has cleared clinical trials for treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The drug, along with psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin, has been shown to boost social behaviors in both humans and animals. These substances may induce a sense of dissolution of the self-other boundary, leading to increased empathy and social bon...

A review, recently published  in the Journal of Cannabis Research , focuses on the use of cannabidiol (CBD) for therapeutic purposes. Also examines the clinical evidence supporting its effectiveness in various conditions. Currently, only one CBD product called Epidiolex is approved to treat seizures in specific syndromes. This review highlights the areas where purified CBD has the most clinical evidence for its potential benefits. These include: Anxiety (positive data from 24 different studies) Psychosis and schizophrenia (positive data from 9), PTSD (positive data from 6), and Substance abuse (positive data from 5 ). Since the 1970s, researchers have studied how cannabidiol (CBD) affects anxiety and stress in both healthy volunteers and patient groups. Acute dosages of CBD have been shown in investigations involving healthy volunteers to lessen the anxiety that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) administration causes. CBD taken orally in a single dose was found effective in ...