Recreational 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA) or ‘ecstasy’ and self-focused compassion: Preliminary steps in the development of a therapeutic psychopharmacology of contemplative practices
Journal article
Authors | Kamboj, Sunjeev K, Kilford, Emma J., Minchin, Stephanie, Moss, Abigail, Lawn, Will, Das, Ravi K., Falconer, Caroline J., Gilbert, Paul, Curran, H Valerie and Freeman, Tom P. |
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Abstract | 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA) produces diverse pro-social effects. Cognitive training methods rooted in Eastern contemplative practices also produce these effects through the development of a compassionate mindset. Given this similarity, we propose that one potential mechanism of action of MDMA in psychotherapy is through enhancing effects on intrapersonal attitudes (i.e. pro-social attitudes towards the self). We provide a preliminary test of this idea. Recreational MDMA (ecstasy)-users were tested on two occasions, having consumed or not consumed ecstasy. Selfcritical and self-compassionate responses to self-threatening scenarios were assessed before (T1) and after (T2) ecstasyuse (or no use), and then after compassionate imagery (T3). Moderating roles of dispositional self-criticism and avoidant attachment were examined. Separately, compassionate imagery and ecstasy produced similar sociotropic effects as well as increases and reductions in self-compassion and self-criticism respectively. Higher attachment-related avoidance was associated with additive effects of compassionate imagery and ecstasy on self-compassion. Findings were in line with MDMA’s neuropharmacological profile, its phenomenological effects and proposed adjunctive use in psychotherapy. However, although conditions were balanced, the experiment was non-blind and MDMA dose/purity was not determined. Controlled studies with pharmaceutically pure MDMA are still needed to test these effects rigorously. |
3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA) produces diverse pro-social effects. Cognitive training methods rooted | |
Keywords | MDMA; Compassion-focused therapy; Compassion; Psychotherapy; Self-criticism |
Year | 2015 |
Journal | Journal of Psychopharmacology |
Publisher | Sage |
ISSN | 02698811 |
14617285 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881115587143 |
Web address (URL) | http://hdl.handle.net/10545/621749 |
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | |
hdl:10545/621749 | |
Publication dates | 18 May 2015 |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 14 Jul 2017, 16:08 |
Rights | Archived with thanks to Journal of Psychopharmacology |
Contributors | University College London and University of Derby |
File | File Access Level Open |
https://repository.derby.ac.uk/item/940wz/recreational-3-4-methylenedioxy-n-methylamphetamine-mdma-or-ecstasy-and-self-focused-compassion-preliminary-steps-in-the-development-of-a-therapeutic-psychopharmacology-of-contemplative-practices
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