The acute effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine and methamphetamine on driving: a simulator study.
Con Stough, Luke A. Downey, Rebecca King, Katherine Papafotiou, Phillip Swann, Edward Ogden
Accident; Analysis and Prevention March 2012 DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2011.08.017 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Double-blind, placebo-controlled, counterbalanced crossover experiment Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 61 |
| Population | Abstinent recreational users of illicit drugs (33 females, 28 males; mean age 25.45 years) |
| Interventions | MDMA methamphetamine placebo |
| Dose | 100 mg MDMA, 0.42 mg/kg methamphetamine |
| Duration | Driving assessed 3 h and 24 h post drug administration |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Key findings | At peak concentration, MDMA and methamphetamine both impaired simulated daytime driving relative to placebo, with MDMA producing worse overall driving performance than methamphetamine. Signaling adherence was also poorer under both drugs than placebo. The authors state this is the first illustration of how MDMA and methamphetamine affect driving performance and argue it supports legislation for testing illicit drugs in impaired or injured drivers. |
Abstract
Illicit drugs such as MDMA and methamphetamine are commonly abused drugs that have also been observed to be prevalent in drivers injured in road accidents. Their exact effect on driving and driving behavior has yet to be thoroughly investigated. Sixty-one abstinent recreational users of illicit drugs comprised the participant sample, with 33 females and 28 males, mean age 25.45 years. The three testing sessions involved oral consumption of 100 mg MDMA, 0.42 mg/kg methamphetamine, or a matching placebo. The drug administration was counter-balanced, double-blind, and medically supervised. At each session driving performance was assessed 3 h and 24 h post drug administration on a computerized driving simulator. At peak concentration overall impairment scores for driving (F(2,118)=9.042, p<0.001) and signaling (F(2,118)=4.060, p=0.020) were significantly different for the daytime simulations. Performance in the MDMA condition was worse than both the methamphetamine (p=0.023) and placebo (p<0.001) conditions and the methamphetamine condition was also observed to be worse in comparison to the placebo (p=0.055). For signaling adherence, poorer signaling adherence occurred in both the methamphetamine (p=0.006) and MDMA (p=0.017) conditions in comparison to placebo in the daytime simulations. The findings of this study have for the first time illustrated how both MDMA and methamphetamine effect driving performance, and provide support for legislation regarding testing for the presence of illicit drugs in impaired or injured drivers as deterrents for driving under the influence of illicit drugs.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on MDMA, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 8
- Human psychobiology of MDMA or ‘Ecstasy’: an overview of 25 years of empirical research Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental July 1, 2013
- Cannabis smoking impairs driving performance on the simulator and real driving: a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, crossover trial Fundamental and Clinical Pharmacology May 12, 2018
- Key interindividual determinants in MDMA pharmacodynamics Expert Opinion on Drug Metabolism & Toxicology January 5, 2018
- Driving under the influence of cocaine and MDMA: Relationship between blood concentrations and results from clinical test of impairment. Journal of Analytical Toxicology June 11, 2024
- Subjective and neurocognitive profiling of clinical doses of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in healthy volunteers: implications for therapeutic use Molecular Psychiatry April 8, 2026
and 3 more in the library
Cites 7
- Recreational MDMA use in Sydney: a profile of ‘Ecstasy’ users and their experiences with the drug British Journal of Addiction August 1, 1992
- Increased oxytocin concentrations and prosocial feelings in humans after ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) administration Social Neuroscience June 25, 2009
- The serotonin uptake inhibitor citalopram reduces acute cardiovascular and vegetative effects of 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (‘Ecstasy’) in healthy volunteers Journal of Psychopharmacology May 1, 2000
- Stimulant effects of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) 75 mg and methylphenidate 20 mg on actual driving during intoxication and withdrawal Addiction August 8, 2006
- MDMA, methamphetamine and their combination: possible lessons for party drug users from recent preclinical research Drug and Alcohol Review 2007
and 2 more in the library