Acute psychomotor effects of MDMA and ethanol (co-) administration over time in healthy volunteers
Gjh Dumont, Rik C. Schoemaker, Daan J Touw, Fred C.g.j. Sweep, Jk Buitelaar, Jma van Gerven, Rj Verkes
Journal of Psychopharmacology January 22, 2009 DOI: 10.1177/0269881108099214 (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 | 16 |
| Population | Healthy volunteers aged 18-29 |
| Interventions | MDMA Ethanol |
| Dose | 100 mg MDMA; blood alcohol concentration maintained at approximately 0.6‰ |
| Duration | 3-hour ethanol clamp; effects measured up to 150 minutes after MDMA administration |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Psychomotor learning Placebo Sedation Anesthesia Psychomotor disorder Crossover study Pharmacokinetics Ethanol |
| Citations | 37 |
| Key findings | Coadministration of MDMA and ethanol improved psychomotor speed but impaired psychomotor accuracy compared with placebo and reversed ethanol-induced sedation. |
Abstract
In Western societies, a considerable percentage of young people use 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ‘ecstasy’). The use of alcohol (ethanol) in combination with ecstasy is common. The aim of the present study was to assess the acute psychomotor and subjective effects of (co-) administration of MDMA and ethanol over time and in relation to the pharmacokinetics. We performed a four-way, double blind, randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled study in 16 healthy volunteers (nine men, seven women) between the ages of 18 and 29. MDMA (100 mg) was given orally while blood alcohol concentration was maintained at pseudo-steady state levels of approximately 0.6‰ for 3 h by a 10% intravenous ethanol clamp. MDMA significantly increased psychomotor speed but did not affect psychomotor accuracy and induced subjective arousal. Ethanol impaired both psychomotor speed and accuracy and induced sedation. Coadministration of ethanol and MDMA improved psychomotor speed but impaired psychomotor accuracy compared with placebo and reversed ethanol-induced sedation. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics showed maximal effects at 90—150 min after MDMA administration after which drug effects declined in spite of persisting MDMA plasma concentration, with the exception of ethanol-induced sedation, which manifested itself fully only after the infusion was stopped. In conclusion, results show that subjects were more aroused when intoxicated with both substances combined compared with placebo, but psychomotor accuracy was significantly impaired. These findings may have implications for general neuropsychological functioning as this may provide a sense of adequate performance that does not agree with a significant reduction in psychomotor accuracy.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on MDMA, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 14
- Dose-related effects of MDMA on psychomotor function and mood before, during, and after a night of sleep loss Psychopharmacology January 18, 2010
- MDMA interactions with pharmaceuticals and drugs of abuse Expert Opinion on Drug Metabolism & Toxicology March 31, 2020
- Adolescent pre‐exposure to ethanol and 3,4‐methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (MDMA) increases conditioned rewarding effects of MDMA and drug‐induced reinstatement Addiction Biology October 13, 2011
- Key interindividual determinants in MDMA pharmacodynamics Expert Opinion on Drug Metabolism & Toxicology January 5, 2018
- Cognitive functioning associated with acute and subacute effects of classic psychedelics and MDMA - a systematic review and meta-analysis. Scientific Reports June 26, 2024
and 9 more 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
- Human psychopharmacology of Ecstasy (MDMA): a review of 15 years of empirical research Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental December 1, 2001
- Which neuroreceptors mediate the subjective effects of MDMA in humans? A summary of mechanistic studies Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental December 1, 2001
- The confounding problem of polydrug use in recreational ecstasy/MDMA users: a brief overview Journal of Psychopharmacology March 1, 2006
and 10 more in the library