Does ±3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy) induce subjective feelings of social connection in humans? A multilevel meta-analysis
Annie Regan, Seth Margolis, Harriet de Wit, Sonja Lyubomirsky
PLoS One October 25, 2021 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258849 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Meta-analysis Placebo-controlled Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 592 |
| Population | Participants in placebo-controlled studies of MDMA |
| Intervention | MDMA |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Feeling Meta-analysis Placebo Multilevel model Clinical psychology Developmental psychology |
| Citations | 18 |
| Key findings | MDMA has a moderate-to-large effect (d = 0.86) on self-reported sociability-related outcomes. |
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a psychostimulant known for producing positive subjective effects and for enhancing social functioning and social connection in both clinical and recreational settings. Over the past two decades, scientists have begun to study the psychological effects of MDMA through rigorous placebo-controlled experimental work. However, most existing studies have small N s, and the average sizes of the reported effects are unknown, creating uncertainty about the impact of these findings. The goal of the present study was to quantify the strength of MDMA’s effects on self-reported social connection by aggregating sociability-related outcomes across multiple placebo-controlled studies. To this end, we conducted a multilevel meta-analysis based on 27 studies, 54 effect sizes, and a total of 592 participants. The results revealed a moderate-to-large effect ( d = 0.86; 95% CI [0.68, 1.04]; r = .39; 95% CI [.32, .46]) of MDMA on self-reported sociability-related outcomes (e.g., feeling loving, talkative, and friendly). Given the magnitude of its effect on felt sociability, we propose that MDMA may have powerful implications for a variety of social contexts and for clinical settings, in particular. Finally, we discuss potential mechanisms underlying the relationship between MDMA and sociability-related feelings, as well as future directions for experimental work in this area.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| A review of the acute subjective effects of MDMA/ecstasy | 2006 | Systematic review | |
| Adverse events in clinical treatments with serotonergic psychedelics and MDMA: A mixed-methods systematic review Patients in clinical trials with MDMA or serotonergic psychedelics | 2022 | Systematic review | n = 598 |
| Treating posttraumatic stress disorder with MDMA-assisted psychotherapy: A preliminary meta-analysis and comparison to prolonged exposure therapy Patients with PTSD | 2016 | Meta-analysis | |
| The neuropsychology of ecstasy (MDMA) use: a quantitative review MDMA users | 2007 | Meta-analysis | |
| Drug-drug interactions between psychiatric medications and MDMA or psilocybin: a systematic review | 2022 | Systematic review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 14
- The Psychedelic Future of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment Current Neuropharmacology January 5, 2024
- Understanding the Mechanisms of Action and Effects of Drugs of Abuse. Molecules June 24, 2023
- MDMA and MDMA-Assisted Therapy. American Journal of Psychiatry 2025
- Altered stakes: Identifying gaps in the informed consent process for psychedelic-assisted therapy trials Journal of Psychedelic Studies November 20, 2023
- Can psychedelics enhance group psychotherapy? A discussion on the therapeutic factors. Journal of Psychopharmacology February 28, 2023
and 9 more in the library
Cites 44
- Subjective Reports of the Effects of MDMA in a Clinical Setting Journal of Psychoactive Drugs October 1, 1986
- Prediction of Psilocybin Response in Healthy Volunteers PLoS One February 17, 2012
- MDMA enhances emotional empathy and prosocial behavior Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience October 4, 2013
- Reduction in social anxiety after MDMA-assisted psychotherapy with autistic adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study. Psychopharmacology November 1, 2018
- Hallucinogens in Mental Health: Preclinical and Clinical Studies on LSD, Psilocybin, MDMA, and Ketamine Journal of Neuroscience November 30, 2020
and 39 more in the library