Pharmacology of MDMA in Humans
Rafael de la Torre, Magı́ Farré, Pere N. Roset, Cándido Hernández López, Manuel Mas, Jordi Ortuño, E. Menoyo, Nieves Pizarro, Jordi Segura, Jordi Camı́
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences September 1, 2000 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2000.tb05199.x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Healthy volunteers |
| Intervention | MDMA |
| Dose | 50 to 150 mg |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Mydriasis Heart rate Blood pressure Drug Pharmacology Endocrinology Anesthesia |
| Citations | 178 |
| Key findings | MDMA at recreational doses produces dose-dependent increases in blood pressure, heart rate, pupil diameter, and hormonal measures, with peak effects at 1-2 hours and a biphasic temperature response. |
Abstract
Abstract MDMA given at recreational doses (range tested 50 to 150 mg) to healthy volunteers, produced mydriasis and marked increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and pupillary diameter. MDMA induced changes on oral temperature. The time course of this observation was biphasic, as a slight decrease at 1 h and a slight increase at 2 and 4 h were observed. MDMA induced a slight dose‐dependent impairment on psychomotor performance. MDMA produced a marked rise in plasma cortisol and prolactin concentrations. The elimination half‐life of MDMA was about 8‐9 h. Drug concentrations increased, and a parallel increase in physiologic and hormonal measures was observed. Both peak concentrations and peak effects were obtained between 1 and 2 h and decreased to baseline values 4‐6 h after drug administration.