Ecstasy could ease severe nerve pain in new pilot trial

NCT ID NCT07301632

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: Unity Health Toronto Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 30, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This pilot study tests whether a single dose of MDMA (ecstasy) combined with psychological support can help people with severe chronic neuropathic pain. Forty adults with moderate-to-severe nerve pain will receive either MDMA or a placebo (methylphenidate) along with psychotherapy sessions before and after dosing. The main goal is to see if a larger trial is feasible, not yet to prove the treatment works.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: MDMA (ecstasy)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a new treatment option for people with severe chronic nerve pain that hasn't responded to other therapies.
What could go wrong: This is a very small early pilot study (40 people) testing feasibility, not effectiveness. MDMA can cause side effects like increased heart rate, anxiety, or confusion, and the psychological support component makes it hard to separate drug effects from therapy effects.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

CHRONIC NEUROPATHIC PAIN

Contacts and locations

Locations

St. Michael's Hospital
RECRUITING

Toronto, Ontario, M5B 1W8, Canada

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