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MDMA enhances positive affective responses to social feedback.

Anya K. Bershad, David T Hsu, Harriet de Wit

Journal of Psychopharmacology March 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1177/02698811231224153 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial Peer reviewed
Sample size 36
Population Healthy adult volunteers ages 18-40
Interventions MDMA Methamphetamine
Dose 0.75 mg/kg, 1.5 mg/kg, 20 mg
Topics MDMA
Keywords Social acceptance Social feedback Social rejection
Citations 9
Registration NCT03790618
Key findings The high dose of MDMA increased positive affective responses to social feedback.

Abstract

The prosocial compound ± 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is an amphetamine derivative that has shown promise as an adjunct to psychotherapy in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. MDMA increases positive responses to social images, and it has been suggested that the ability of MDMA to positively bias social perception may underlie its therapeutic efficacy as a psychotherapy adjunct. However, the effect of the compound on affective responses to positive or negative social feedback has not been tested. In this study, we aimed to test the effects of MDMA compared to placebo and the prototypical stimulant, methamphetamine (MA), on responses to positive and negative social feedback. This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial (NCT03790618), comparing the effects of two doses of MDMA (0.75 mg/kg, 1.5 mg/kg) to both placebo and MA (20 mg) on responses to a personalized social feedback task, similar to a dating app, in healthy adult volunteers ages 18-40 (N = 36, 18 women, 18 men). The high dose of MDMA increased positive affective responses to social feedback. These findings suggest one process by which MDMA may facilitate social connection. Further work is needed to understand how MDMA affects responses to more generalized types of social feedback and to understand these effects in clinical populations.

Comparable studies

Other randomized controlled trials on MDMA, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study. Patients with severe PTSD, including those with comorbidities such as dissociation,... 2021 Randomized controlled trial n = 90
The safety and efficacy of {+/-}3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted psychotherapy in subjects with chronic, treatment-resistant posttraumatic stress disorder: the first randomized controlled pilot study. Patients with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder refractory to both psychotherapy... 2010 Randomized controlled trial n = 20
3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder in military veterans, firefighters, and police officers: a randomised, double-blind, dose-response, phase 2 clinical trial. Military veterans and first responders aged 18 or older with chronic PTSD lasting 6... 2018 Randomized, double-blind, dose-response, phase 2 clinical trial n = 26
A randomized, controlled pilot study of MDMA (±3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine)-assisted psychotherapy for treatment of resistant, chronic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Patients with treatment-resistant PTSD 2012 Randomized controlled trial n = 12
MDMA-assisted therapy for moderate to severe PTSD: a randomized, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Adults with moderate to severe post-traumatic stress disorder 2023 Randomized controlled trial n = 104

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