MAPS and Columbia University Launch Study on MDMA-Assisted Couples Therapy
Event summary
- MAPS partners with Columbia University to study real-world MDMA-assisted couples therapy practices.
- Anonymous survey and optional interviews will document practitioner methods, training, and safety protocols.
- Study aims to inform ethical guidelines, clinical trial protocols, and policy recommendations for non-diagnostic therapeutic uses of MDMA.
- Enrollment goal is 50–100 survey responses with 10–20 in-depth interviews.
- Project led by Dr. Jae Sevelius of Columbia University, supported by MAPS researchers.
The big picture
This collaboration marks a strategic push to legitimize psychedelic therapies beyond traditional diagnostic frameworks, aligning with broader industry trends toward wellness and relationship-focused applications. The study’s focus on real-world practices could bridge the gap between unregulated use and evidence-based clinical protocols, potentially expanding MDMA’s therapeutic applications.
What we're watching
- Regulatory Pathways
- Whether findings will accelerate FDA or international approval for MDMA in non-diagnostic therapeutic settings.
- Ethical Standards
- How documented practices shape future guidelines for psychedelic-assisted couples therapy.
- Market Expansion
- The pace at which MAPS can secure additional funding to advance clinical research based on study outcomes.
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