Effects of MDMA and Intranasal oxytocin on social and emotional processing
This double-blind trial (n=65) compared the effects of MDMA (52.5-105 mg/70kg), intranasal oxytocin (20 IU or 40 IU), and placebo on social and emotional processing. MDMA impaired recognition of angry and fearful facial expressions, and the larger dose increased the desire to be with others. At the same time, oxytocin produced small but significant increases in feelings of sociability and enhanced recognition of sad facial expressions.
Authors
- Harriet de Wit
- Richard Lee
- Matthew Kirkpatrick
Published
Abstract
MDMA (± 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, 'ecstasy') is used recreationally, reportedly because it increases feelings of empathy, sociability, and interpersonal closeness. One line of evidence suggests that MDMA produces these effects by releasing oxytocin, a peptide involved in social bonding. In the current study, we investigated the acute effects of MDMA and oxytocin on social and emotional processing in healthy human volunteers. MDMA users (N = 65) participated in a 4-session, within-between-subjects study in which they received oral MDMA (0.75, 1.5 mg/kg), intranasal oxytocin (20 or 40 IU), or placebo under double-blind conditions. The primary outcomes included measures of emotion recognition and sociability (desire to be with others). Cardiovascular and subjective effects were also assessed. As expected, MDMA dose-dependently increased heart rate and blood pressure and feelings of euphoria (eg, 'High' and 'Like Drug'). On measures of social function, MDMA impaired recognition of angry and fearful facial expressions, and the larger dose (1.5 mg/kg) increased desire to be with others, compared with placebo. Oxytocin produced small but significant increases in feelings of sociability and enhanced recognition of sad facial expressions. Additionally, responses to oxytocin were related to responses to MDMA with subjects on two subjective measures of sociability. Thus, MDMA increased euphoria and feelings of sociability, perhaps by reducing sensitivity to subtle signs of negative emotions in others. The present findings provide only limited support for the idea that oxytocin produces the prosocial effects of MDMA.
Research Summary of 'Effects of MDMA and Intranasal oxytocin on social and emotional processing'
Introduction
MDMA (±3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, 'ecstasy') is widely used in social settings and is reported to increase empathy, sociability and interpersonal closeness. Previous laboratory studies indicate that MDMA produces both positive subjective states (for example, friendliness and feeling close to others) and objective changes in social cognition, such as improved recognition of positive mental states and reduced sensitivity to negative expressions. One proposed mechanism for these prosocial effects is MDMA-induced release of oxytocin, a peptide implicated in social bonding; both animal and human data show that MDMA raises oxytocin levels and that intranasal oxytocin can alter social behaviour, although results across studies have been mixed. Kirkpatrick and colleagues set out to compare directly the acute effects of oral MDMA and intranasal oxytocin on social and emotional processing in the same individuals. They hypothesised that both agents would dose-dependently increase self-reported sociability and enhance objective markers of social function, but that only MDMA would produce cardiovascular stimulation and pronounced positive mood. The study therefore tested two MDMA doses (0.75 and 1.5 mg/kg), two intranasal oxytocin doses (20 and 40 IU) and placebo in a mixed within–between design, assessing subjective, physiological and behavioural endpoints relevant to social processing.
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Study Details
- Study Typeindividual
- Journal
- Compound
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- APA Citation
Kirkpatrick, M. G., Lee, R., Wardle, M. C., Jacob, S., & de Wit, H. (2014). Effects of MDMA and Intranasal oxytocin on social and emotional processing. Neuropsychopharmacology, 39(7), 1654-1663. https://doi.org/10.1038/npp.2014.12
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