Acute psychomotor, memory and subjective effects of MDMA and THC co-administration over time in healthy volunteers
Gjh Dumont, J. G. Coen van Hasselt, M. de Kam, Jma van Gerven, Daan J Touw, Jk Buitelaar, Rj Verkes
Journal of Psychopharmacology September 3, 2010 DOI: 10.1177/0269881110376687 (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 18–27 |
| Interventions | MDMA THC |
| Dose | 100 mg MDMA orally; 4, 6, and 6 mg THC vaporized (interval of 90 min) |
| Topics | Cannabis MDMA |
| Keywords | Psychomotor learning Crossover study Placebo Dronabinol Hallucinogen Anesthesia Drug Pharmacology Cognition |
| Citations | 38 |
| Key findings | Co-administration of MDMA and THC did not worsen cognitive impairment beyond THC alone but increased desired subjective drug effects and drug strength compared with MDMA alone. |
Abstract
In Western societies a considerable percentage of young people expose themselves to the combination of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ‘ecstasy’) and cannabis. The aim of the present study was to assess the acute effects of co-administration of MDMA and THC (the main psychoactive compound of cannabis) on pharmacokinetics, psychomotor performance, memory and subjective experience over time. We performed a four-way, double blind, randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled study in 16 healthy volunteers (12 male, four female) between the ages of 18 and 27. MDMA (100 mg) was given orally, THC (4, 6, and 6 mg, interval of 90 min) was vaporized and inhaled. THC induced more robust cognitive impairment compared with MDMA, and co-administration did not exacerbate single drug effects on cognitive function. However, co-administration of THC with MDMA increased desired subjective drug effects and drug strength compared with the MDMA condition, which may explain the widespread use of this combination.