Ecstasy brain scans reveal how drugs rewire risk and reward
NCT ID NCT04060108
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This completed study at Stanford University used brain scans to see how MDMA (ecstasy) changes the way our brains process risk and reward. Twenty-two healthy adults who had used MDMA before took either a low dose, high dose, or placebo. They then performed tasks while their brain activity was measured. The goal was to understand the brain circuits involved, which could inform future addiction research.
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 successful, this could help scientists understand how drugs like MDMA change brain activity, potentially guiding future addiction treatments.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study in healthy volunteers, not a treatment trial. Results may not apply to people with addiction or other conditions.
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.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
-
Stanford Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Department
Palo Alto, California, 94305, United States
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