The empathogen 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, but not methamphetamine, increases feelings of global trust

Background

The empathogen and psychostimulant 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is thought to boost both subjective well-being and social connection. Although MDMA is considered to enhance social connection to a greater extent than other stimulant drugs, few studies have compared MDMA to other stimulants. In addition, previous studies have focused on social positivity effects (e.g., increased trust) for specific in-lab interaction partners without considering more generalized social positivity effects (e.g., trust in one’s community).

Aims

We tested the effects of MDMA on subjective ratings of well-being and global social connection, including feelings of trust toward one’s community and society. The effects of MDMA were compared to a prototypic stimulant, methamphetamine (MA).

Methods

Across two studies, we examined differences in subjective well-being and global social well-being 90 minutes after a conversation on MDMA (study 1; N = 15; 100 mg) and after a conversation on MA (study 2; N = 20; 20 mg) compared to a placebo.

Results

After MDMA, participants reported significantly higher global trust, t (14) = −2.583, p = 0.022, and marginally higher self-worth, t (14) = −2.000, p = 0.065, compared with after the placebo. Furthermore, MA did not alter scores of subjective well-being and social connection.

Conclusions

Our findings extend previous research by demonstrating that MDMA increases feelings of trust in the social world beyond lab-specific interaction partners. These findings are consistent with user reports of generalized social well-being effects and support the idea that MDMA may have clinical value from a social psychological perspective.