Embracing Neurodiversity in Psychedelic Science: A Mixed-Methods Inquiry into the MDMA Experiences of Autistic Adults

ABSTRACT

This exploratory inquiry analyzed subjective experiences autistic adults reported after they took the drug 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), also known as ecstasy, in nonclinical settings. Using a secure, globally available website, this study collected data from participants in 13 countries who were experienced with MDMA (n = 100). A subset of survey respondents (n = 24) were then invited to participate in qualitative interviews. The researcher applied thematic content analysis of interview transcripts to create a comprehensive account of emergent themes. MDMA has well-documented acute effects that promote pro-social attitudes such as caring and trust in neurotypical, or typically developing, populations. Findings from this study suggested that MDMA-assisted therapy may be an effective catalyst in autistic adults for intra- and interpersonal change. In addition, participants reported accounts of lasting transformation and healing from conditions such as trauma and social anxiety that are common in autistic populations. No participants reported long-term adverse outcomes as a result of using MDMA/ecstasy. Qualitative findings support a case for future clinical trials of MDMA-assisted therapy with autistic adults who present with social adaptability challenges.

KEYWORDS:

• MDMA
• Asperger’s
• autism
• social anxiety

Acknowledgments

The author thanks the members of her dissertation committee: Arthur Hastings, Ph.D. (Chairperson), Charles S. Grob, M.D., and Lynne Henderson, Ph.D. In addition, she would like to thank Kaelyn Langer-Mendonca, Ph.D., and Cindy Sauln, Ph.D., for volunteering to provide inter-rater services; Nick Walker, M.A., for neurodiversity consulting; the study participants for contributing data and valuable insights; and the library staff at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology for general research support.

Additional information

Funding

The author received scholarships from the Betsy Gordon Foundation and the James Fadiman Scholarship Fund in support of this doctoral research.