Ecstasy drug used to probe social brain in autism
NCT ID NCT07555132
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study gives 40 adults—half with autism, half without—a single dose of MDMA (the active ingredient in ecstasy) or a placebo to see how it changes oxytocin levels in the blood. Oxytocin is often called the 'love hormone' and helps with social bonding. The goal is not to treat autism but to understand whether the oxytocin system works differently in autistic individuals. Participants will be monitored for several hours after taking the drug.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine)
What this could lead to
If successful, this could reveal why social bonding feels different for some people with autism, pointing toward new ways to support social connection.
What could go wrong
This is a very early, small study (40 people) using a single dose of MDMA—not a treatment. It only measures short-term chemical changes, so it may not lead to any practical therapy.
Disclaimer
Read more
Show less
This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Show contact details
Enter your email to view the contact information for this study.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Study contacts
-
Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
-
Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
-
University Hospital Basel, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Basel, 4031, Switzerland
Contact
Contact
Contact
Contact
Contact
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact