Gregor Domes

2 papers in the library · 356 citations · publishing 2013

Papers

MDMA enhances emotional empathy and prosocial behavior

Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience October 4, 2013 Cédric M. Hysek, Yasmin Schmid, Linda D. Simmler et al. 356 citations

MDMA (ecstasy) enhances emotional empathy and prosocial behavior in men but impairs recognition of negative emotions like fear, anger, and sadness, especially in women. In a placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover trial with 32 healthy volunteers, MDMA increased explicit and implicit emotional empathy on the Multifaceted Empathy Test and boosted prosocial choices on the Social Value Orientation test in men. It did not affect cognitive empathy but worsened identification of negative facial expressions on the Face Emotion Recognition Task, particularly in women. MDMA also raised plasma cortisol, prolactin, and oxytocin levels, markers linked to social behavior. These effects may explain MDMA's recreational sociability and its potential therapeutic use in psychotherapy for social dysfunction or PTSD.

DOI: 10.1093/scan/nst161 Full text MDMA Ecstasy Prosocial behavior Empathy +4

Does a 360° VR nature environment augment relaxation during a MBSR breathing meditation?

Saskia Seel, Katja Braun, Anne-Marie Frantz et al.

A randomized controlled trial compared a guided mindfulness breathing meditation delivered via audio-only, a 2D video, or immersive 360° virtual reality (VR). All 100 healthy adults showed relaxation over time—lower heart rate and skin conductance, increased subjective relaxation—but the VR condition provided no additional physiological benefit. VR was rated as more immersive than 2D display. Exploratory analyses found unique interaction effects for sleepiness and heart rate variability in specific groups. The authors suggest immersive VR may not enhance relaxation in mindfulness-experienced, low-stress populations and recommend testing in clinically stressed groups.

DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6954558/v1