Treatment of neuropathic pain with repeated low-dose MDMA: a case report.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to investigate the effects of MDMA, particularly low doses, on neuropathic pain in a patient with a history of traumatic life experiences and chemotherapy-induced pain.
Results Summary
The study found that both high (150-175 mg) and low (12.5-25 mg) doses of MDMA led to marked and sustained improvements in neuropathic pain, even after treatment cessation. However, the study is limited by its single-case design and lack of broader investigation into MDMA microdosing.
Population
A 64-year-old male with traumatic life experiences and chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain.
Effective Dosage
High doses (150-175 mg) and repeated low doses (12.5-25 mg) of MDMA.
Duration
Duration of intervention not specified, but effects were sustained after stopping treatment.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) at a dose of 200 µg | no change | acute subjective effects | A 64-year-old male patient who suffered from traumatic life experiences and neuropathic pain after oncological chemotherapy | - | did not experience any acute subjective effects | #1 |
LSD dose increased to 400 µg | increase | subjective acute effects | A 64-year-old male patient who suffered from traumatic life experiences and neuropathic pain after oncological chemotherapy | - | experienced subjective acute effects | #2 |
LSD dose increased to 400 µg | increase | lasting therapeutic effects | A 64-year-old male patient who suffered from traumatic life experiences and neuropathic pain after oncological chemotherapy | - | first lasting therapeutic effects were observed | #3 |
MDMA at high doses (150-175 mg) and repeated low doses (12.5-25 mg) | decrease | neuropathic pain | A 64-year-old male patient who suffered from traumatic life experiences and neuropathic pain after oncological chemotherapy | - | exhibited marked improvements | #4 |
MDMA at high doses (150-175 mg) and repeated low doses (12.5-25 mg) | decrease | neuropathic pain | A 64-year-old male patient who suffered from traumatic life experiences and neuropathic pain after oncological chemotherapy | - | improvements were sustained even after stopping repeated MDMA treatment | #5 |
low doses of MDMA | decrease | a pain disorder | - | - | documents benefits | #6 |
A 64-year-old male patient who suffered from traumatic life experiences and neuropathic pain after oncological chemotherapy was treated with medium to high doses of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and high doses and microdoses of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). At the beginning of treatment, the patient did not experience any acute subjective effects of LSD at a dose of 200 µg. After increasing the LSD dose to 400 µg, he experienced subjective acute effects, and the first lasting therapeutic effects were observed. After changing from LSD to MDMA at both high doses (150-175 mg) and repeated low doses (12.5-25 mg), the patient exhibited marked improvements in neuropathic pain that were sustained even after stopping repeated MDMA treatment. MDMA mini/microdosing has not yet been broadly investigated. This case documents benefits of low doses of MDMA for the treatment of a pain disorder. Further research is needed on effects of MDMA on pain.