New Anxiety Treatments in 2026: From Psychedelic Medicine to Nerve Stimulation

What Is MM120 and How Does It Treat Anxiety?

MM120 represents one of the most significant developments in anxiety treatment in decades. Developed by MindMed, it is a proprietary, pharmaceutical-grade formulation of lysergide (commonly known by its street name LSD), administered as a single oral dose under supervised clinical conditions. The compound acts primarily on serotonin 5-HT2A receptors, the same receptor system targeted by other psychedelic compounds being investigated for psychiatric conditions.

In the Phase 2b VOYAGE trial, published in late 2025, 198 participants with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) were randomized to receive a single dose of MM120 (at varying dose levels from 25 mcg to 200 mcg) or placebo, accompanied by psychological support from trained therapists. The primary endpoint was change in the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) score at week 4, with follow-up extending to week 12.

The results were striking. Participants receiving the 100 mcg dose showed a mean HAM-A reduction of 7.7 points compared to placebo (p less than 0.001) at week 4, with the response rate (defined as 50% or greater improvement) reaching 65% compared to 36% for placebo. Remarkably, the therapeutic effect was sustained through the 12-week follow-up period, despite only a single administration. This sustained duration of effect from a single dose distinguishes MM120 from conventional anxiolytics, which typically require daily dosing.

The treatment session itself lasts approximately 8-10 hours, during which participants experience the acute effects of the compound, including altered perception, emotional processing, and heightened introspection. Trained therapists provide psychological support throughout the session, helping patients process difficult emotions and integrate insights. Most participants described the experience as meaningful and psychologically significant.

How Does Vagus Nerve Stimulation Work for Depression and Anxiety?

The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve in the body, extending from the brainstem to the abdomen. It serves as a major communication highway between the brain and the body, influencing heart rate, digestion, immune function, and, critically, the neural circuits involved in mood and emotional regulation. Stimulating this nerve can modulate activity in brain regions including the amygdala (fear center), prefrontal cortex (executive function), and locus coeruleus (norepinephrine production).

Implantable VNS for treatment-resistant depression was first approved by the FDA in 2005. The device, similar to a pacemaker, is surgically implanted under the skin of the chest, with a wire connecting to the left vagus nerve in the neck. It delivers regular, mild electrical impulses that gradually modify brain chemistry over weeks to months. Long-term studies have shown progressive improvement, with response rates reaching 50-60% after two years of treatment in patients who had failed multiple medication trials.

The newer frontier is transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS), a non-invasive approach that delivers electrical stimulation through the skin of the ear (auricular tVNS) or neck (cervical tVNS). Several randomized controlled trials published in 2024-2025 have shown promising results for both depression and anxiety. A meta-analysis of 12 trials found that tVNS produced significant reductions in anxiety symptoms (standardized mean difference of -0.56, 95% CI -0.78 to -0.34) compared to sham stimulation.

The advantages of non-invasive VNS are substantial: no surgery, minimal side effects (mild tingling sensation at the stimulation site), the ability to self-administer at home, and a favorable safety profile. Several devices are already cleared by regulatory authorities for conditions such as migraine and cluster headache, and applications for anxiety and depression are being actively pursued.

What Other New Approaches Are Being Studied?

Beyond MM120 and VNS, several other innovative approaches to anxiety and depression treatment are progressing through clinical development:

Zuranolone (Sage Therapeutics/Biogen): Originally approved in 2023 for postpartum depression under the brand name Zurzuvae, this oral neuroactive steroid is being investigated for generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder. It works by modulating GABA-A receptors, the same system targeted by benzodiazepines, but with a different mechanism that may avoid the dependence and withdrawal issues associated with traditional anxiolytics. Phase 3 trials for GAD are ongoing.

Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy (SAINT): This protocol uses focused transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) delivered in an intensive five-day course, rather than the traditional six-week TMS protocol. The SAINT protocol targets individual brain circuits identified through functional MRI, enabling personalized treatment. In early studies, remission rates for treatment-resistant depression exceeded 78%, far higher than conventional TMS (approximately 30-35%).

MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD: While the FDA declined approval of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD in 2024 due to concerns about trial methodology, revised Phase 3 trials with improved safety protocols are underway. The approach involves two to three supervised MDMA sessions integrated with intensive psychotherapy, targeting trauma-related anxiety and avoidance.

Digital therapeutics and AI-guided therapy: Software-based treatments, sometimes called "prescription apps," are being developed for anxiety disorders. These typically deliver CBT-based interventions through smartphones, with AI algorithms personalizing content based on patient responses. Several products have received FDA clearance as adjunctive treatments, though evidence for standalone efficacy remains limited.

What Should Patients Do Now?

While the emerging treatments described above are exciting, it is important to maintain perspective. Established, evidence-based treatments for anxiety disorders remain highly effective for the majority of patients. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has response rates of 60-80% for generalized anxiety disorder, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as escitalopram and sertraline provide significant symptom relief for approximately 50-60% of patients.

For patients who have not responded to initial treatment, several evidence-based next steps are available: switching to a different SSRI or SNRI, adding buspirone or hydroxyzine as adjunctive treatment, combining medication with psychotherapy (which is more effective than either alone), or trying acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) as an alternative psychological approach.

If you are interested in newer treatments, the best approach is to discuss options with your psychiatrist or primary care provider. Many academic medical centers offer clinical trials for investigational anxiety treatments, and participation can provide access to cutting-edge therapies under close medical supervision. ClinicalTrials.gov is the most comprehensive database for finding open studies.