The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show

Neuroscientist Explains MDMA and The Science of Social Connection | Dr. Ben Rein Ph.D.

10 snips
Nov 11, 2025
Guest
Ben Rein
Dr. Ben Rein, a neuroscientist and author of "Why Brains Need Friends," delves into the fascinating world of social connection and the neurobiology of empathy. He discusses how loneliness can be as harmful as smoking and the therapeutic benefits of MDMA for PTSD. The conversation explores ketamine’s alternative effects, the dangers of digital interactions on empathy, and the surprising role of Botox in emotional expression. Rein also highlights practical tips for enhancing likability, emphasizing the biological importance of social bonds for overall brain health.
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INSIGHT

MDMA Lowers Alarm To Reprocess Trauma

  • MDMA acts as an empathogen that reduces amygdala reactivity and increases social connection during therapy.
  • This lets patients revisit traumatic memories with a quieter alarm, enabling therapeutic reprocessing.
ANECDOTE

Shulgin's Rediscovery Sparked MDMA Therapy

  • Alexander Shulgin rediscovered MDMA in the 1970s and shared it with therapists, sparking early therapeutic use.
  • MDMA then entered party culture and became illegal despite clinical promise.
INSIGHT

Empathy Tied To Serotonin In Nucleus Accumbens

  • Ben Rein's research links MDMA's empathogenic effects to serotonin release in the nucleus accumbens.
  • Targeting that circuit could produce pro-social drugs without MDMA's stimulant harms.
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