A direct comparison of the behavioral and physiological effects of methamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in humans
M. Kirkpatrick, Erik W. Gunderson, Audrey Y. Perez, Margaret Haney, Richard W Foltin, C. Hart
Psychopharmacology June 30, 2011 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-011-2383-4 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Within-subject design Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 11 |
| Population | Adult volunteers |
| Interventions | Methamphetamine MDMA |
| Dose | 20, 40 mg; 100 mg |
| Duration | 13-day residential study with four 3-day blocks |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Citations | 119 |
| Key points | Methamphetamine and MDMA produce overlapping acute cardiovascular and positive subjective effects, but methamphetamine improves performance and disrupts sleep while MDMA increases negative subjective effects. |
Abstract
Despite their chemical similarities, methamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) produce differing neurochemical and behavioral responses in animals. In humans, individual studies of methamphetamine and MDMA indicate that the drugs engender overlapping and divergent effects; there are only limited data comparing the two drugs in the same individuals. This study examined the effects of methamphetamine and MDMA using a within-subject design. Eleven adult volunteers completed this 13-day residential laboratory study, which consisted of four 3-day blocks of sessions. On the first day of each block, participants received oral methamphetamine (20, 40 mg), MDMA (100 mg), or placebo. Drug plasma concentrations, cardiovascular, subjective, and cognitive/psychomotor performance effects were assessed before drug administration and after. Food intake and sleep were also assessed. On subsequent days of each block, placebo was administered and residual effects were assessed. Acutely, both drugs increased cardiovascular measures and “positive” subjective effects and decreased food intake. In addition, when asked to identify each drug, participants had difficulty distinguishing between the amphetamines. The drugs also produced divergent effects: methamphetamine improved performance and disrupted sleep, while MDMA increased “negative” subjective-effect ratings. Few residual drug effects were noted for either drug. It is possible that the differences observed could explain the differential public perception and abuse potential associated with these amphetamines. Alternatively, the route of administration by which the drugs are used recreationally might account for the many of the effects attributed to these drugs (i.e., MDMA is primarily used orally, whereas methamphetamine is used by routes associated with higher abuse potential).
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amphetamine-type central nervous system stimulants release norepinephrine more potently than they release dopamine and serotonin | 2000 | Experimental study | |
| Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) cause selective ablation of serotonergic axon terminals in forebrain: immunocytochemical evidence for neurotoxicity Rat brain | 1988 | Experimental study | |
| The molecular mechanism of "ecstasy" [3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA)]: serotonin transporters are targets for MDMA-induced serotonin release. Human platelet plasma membrane vesicles and bovine adrenal chromaffin granule membrane... | 1992 | Laboratory study | |
| Oxytocin-dependent reopening of a social reward learning critical period with MDMA | 2019 | Experimental study | |
| Effects of certain hallucinogenic amphetamine analogs on the release of [3H]-serotonin from rat brain synaptosomes Rat whole brain synaptosomes | 1982 | Experimental study |
Citations in the library
Cited by 57
- 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
- LSD Acutely Impairs Fear Recognition and Enhances Emotional Empathy and Sociality Neuropsychopharmacology June 1, 2016
- Human psychobiology of MDMA or ‘Ecstasy’: an overview of 25 years of empirical research Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental July 1, 2013
- Safety pharmacology of acute MDMA administration in healthy subjects Journal of Psychopharmacology February 21, 2017
- Plasma oxytocin concentrations following MDMA or intranasal oxytocin in humans Psychoneuroendocrinology April 19, 2014
and 52 more in the library
Cites 12
- Amphetamine-type central nervous system stimulants release norepinephrine more potently than they release dopamine and serotonin Synapse 2000
- Memory impairment in abstinent MDMA ("Ecstasy") users Neurology December 1, 1998
- Human Pharmacology of 3,4-Methylenedioxymeth-amphetamine ("Ecstasy"): Psychomotor Performance and Subjective Effects Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology August 1, 2000
- Transient memory impairment after acute dose of 75mg 3.4-Methylene-dioxymethamphetamine Journal of Psychopharmacology November 1, 2005
- Recreational ecstasy use and the neurotoxic potential of MDMA: current status of the controversy and methodological issues Drug and Alcohol Review May 1, 2006
and 7 more in the library