Increased oxytocin concentrations and prosocial feelings in humans after ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) administration
Glenn Dumont, Fred C.g.j. Sweep, R. van der Steen, Rick Hermsen, A. Rogier T. Donders, Daan J Touw, Joop van Gerven, Jan K. Buitelaar, Robbert J. Verkes
Social Neuroscience June 25, 2009 DOI: 10.1080/17470910802649470 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Placebo-controlled Double-blind Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 15 |
| Population | Healthy volunteers |
| Intervention | MDMA |
| Dose | 100 mg |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Prosocial behavior Oxytocin Feeling Placebo Hallucinogen Developmental psychology |
| Citations | 238 |
| Key findings | MDMA induces oxytocin release in humans, and the increase in oxytocin is correlated with prosocial feelings more strongly than blood MDMA levels are. |
Abstract
MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine or "ecstasy") is a recreationally used drug with remarkable and characteristic prosocial effects. In spite of abundant attention in the scientific literature, the mechanism of its prosocial effects has not been elucidated in humans. Recently, research in animals has suggested that the neuropeptide oxytocin may induce these effects. In a double blind, randomized, crossover, and placebo-controlled study in 15 healthy volunteers we assessed blood oxytocin and MDMA concentrations and subjective prosocial effects after oral administration of 100 mg MDMA or placebo. MDMA induced a robust increase of blood oxytocin concentrations and an increase of subjective prosocial feelings. Within subjects, the variations in these feelings were significantly and positively correlated with variation in oxytocin levels, and the correlations between these feelings and oxytocin were significantly stronger than those between these feelings and blood MDMA levels. MDMA induces oxytocin release in humans, which may be involved in the characteristic prosocial effects of ecstasy.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on MDMA, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 145
- 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. Journal of Psychopharmacology July 19, 2010
- Global Street Food: la cocina de la calle Diseño interior 2009
- A randomized, controlled pilot study of MDMA (±3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine)-assisted psychotherapy for treatment of resistant, chronic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Journal of Psychopharmacology October 31, 2012
- Durability of improvement in post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and absence of harmful effects or drug dependency after 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted psychotherapy: a prospective long-term follow-up study. Journal of Psychopharmacology 2013
- MDMA enhances emotional empathy and prosocial behavior Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience October 4, 2013
and 140 more in the library
Cites 6
- A review of acute effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine in healthy volunteers Journal of Psychopharmacology March 1, 2006
- Acute Psychological and Neurophysiological Effects of MDMA in Humans Journal of Psychoactive Drugs June 1, 2002
- The psychotherapeutic potential of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine): an evidence-based review. Psychopharmacology April 1, 2007
- Acute neuropsychological effects of MDMA and ethanol (co-)administration in healthy volunteers Psychopharmacology February 28, 2008
- Is there a case for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy in the UK? Journal of Psychopharmacology February 28, 2007
and 1 more in the library