The effect of MDMA on anterior pituitary hormones: a secondary analysis of a randomized placebo-controlled trial.
Cihan Atila, Sara-Jessica Camerin, Matthias E. Liechti, Mirjam Christ-Crain
Endocrine connections June 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1530/EC-25-0254 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Secondary analysis of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover, randomized trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 15 |
| Population | Healthy adults (median age 35 years, 53% female, mean BMI 23.2 kg/m2) |
| Intervention | MDMA |
| Dose | 100 mg |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Hormones Medical research Stress response Clinical trials |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key findings | MDMA strongly activates the HPA axis, increasing ACTH and cortisol, with no effect on other anterior pituitary axes. |
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), a psychoactive substance, has been proposed as a novel provocation test for oxytocin deficiency. Limited evidence suggests that MDMA may also stimulate the anterior pituitary. Therefore, this analysis aimed to investigate the acute effect of MDMA on the anterior pituitary in healthy adults. This secondary analysis utilized data from a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover, randomized trial. Healthy participants received a single oral dose of MDMA (100 mg) or placebo in random order. Plasma hormone levels of the anterior pituitary (adrenocorticotropic hormone [ACTH], thyroid-stimulating hormone [TSH], luteinizing hormone [LH], prolactin, growth hormone [GH] and their peripheral endocrine glands (cortisol, free thyroxine [fT4], testosterone, estradiol) were measured at baseline and 120 minutes after drug-intake. Plasma hormone changes following MDMA vs placebo were compared using paired Wilcoxon test. Fifteen healthy participants (median [IQR] age: 35 years [26-48]; 53% female) with a mean (SD) BMI of 23.2 kg/m2 (2.1), were included. MDMA stimulated the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, with plasma ACTH increasing from 12 ng/L [11, 15] at baseline to 38 ng/L [25, 59] at 120 minutes, resulting in a significant change of ACTH (p<0.001). This was accompanied by a cortisol increase from 347 nmol/L [252, 409] to 566 nmol/L [457, 701], resulting in a significant change of cortisol (p=0.006). Prolactin showed a mild change of 4 µg/L [-1,12] (p=0.062). No effects of MDMA were observed on the remaining anterior pituitary axes. MDMA strongly activates the HPA axis, in addition to stimulating oxytocin, suggesting that MDMA may serve as a novel stimulation test for assessing the two pituitary axes simultaneously. Further validation in larger patient populations is necessary.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on MDMA, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 15
- Human Pharmacology of MDMA Therapeutic Drug Monitoring March 19, 2004
- Cardiovascular and neuroendocrine effects and pharmacokinetics of 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine in humans. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics July 1, 1999
- MDMA enhances emotional empathy and prosocial behavior Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience October 4, 2013
- Duloxetine Inhibits Effects of MDMA (“Ecstasy") In Vitro and in Humans in a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Laboratory Study PLoS One May 4, 2012
- The Norepinephrine Transporter Inhibitor Reboxetine Reduces Stimulant Effects of MDMA (“Ecstasy”) in Humans Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics June 15, 2011
and 10 more in the library