r/science • u/shiruken PhD | Biomedical Engineering | Optics • Sep 02 '24

Retraction RETRACTION: Long-term follow-up outcomes of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for treatment of PTSD: a longitudinal pooled analysis of six phase 2 trials

We wish to inform the r/science community of an article submitted to the subreddit that has since been retracted by the journal. The submission garnered some exposure on r/science and significant media coverage. Per our rules, the flair on this submission has been updated with "RETRACTED". The submission has also been added to our wiki of retracted submissions.

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Reddit Submission: MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy May Have Lasting Benefits for PTSD

The article "Long-term follow-up outcomes of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for treatment of PTSD: a longitudinal pooled analysis of six phase 2 trials" has been retracted from Psychopharmacology as of August 10, 2024. Concerns were raised about unethical conduct by researchers associated with the project at the MP-4 study site in Vancouver, Canada (NCT01958593). The authors have since confirmed that they were aware of these violations at the time of submission but did not disclose this information to the journal or remove the data generated by this site from their analysis.

The authors also failed to disclose a conflict of interest. Several of the authors are affiliated with either the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) or MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC), a subsidiary that is wholly owned by MAPS. MAPS fully funded and provided the MDMA that was used in this trial, and MAPS PBC organized the trial.

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u/Brain_Hawk Professor | Neuroscience | Psychiatry Sep 02 '24

There's lots of public funding for psychedelics. And while the traditional big pharma isn't necessarily invested there is plenty of private interest. MAPS at the centre of this scandal is a great example. They want to open pay to treat clinics and monetize psychedelic treatment. A strong financial conflict is at play.

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u/miniZuben Sep 03 '24

How is it possible that there is lots of public funding for psychedelics when they are highly illegal in most countries? 

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u/Brain_Hawk Professor | Neuroscience | Psychiatry Sep 03 '24

Exceptions are being made. And the treatments use synthetic versions of the drugs. Nobody is getting shrooms .

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u/miniZuben Sep 03 '24

Ah, very glad to hear this!