This pre-registered randomized placebo-controlled study (n=34) investigates the effects of MDMA (100mg) administration on personality traits and affective states in healthy adults. While no statistical significance was found for the primary hypotheses, medium effect sizes were observed for increased Openness (d = 0.79) and Positive Affect (d = 0.51) 48 hours after MDMA administration compared to placebo.
Abstract of Rapid Effects of MDMA Administration on Self-Reported Personality Traits and Affect State
“3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) assisted therapy has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for PTSD and emerging research suggests a change in personality traits may be a factor in treatment response. Most prior research on MDMA and personality has focused on cross-sectional comparisons of MDMA users and non-users; as such, well-controlled research assessing personality and affective states change following MDMA vs placebo administration is needed. In the current pre-registered study, we investigated the impact of MDMA administration on five-factor model (FFM) traits and affective states before and 48 h after drug administration in a randomized, placebo-controlled study of healthy adults (N = 34). Statistical significance was not observed for the four a priori hypotheses; however, medium effect sizes were found between MDMA administration and trait Openness and Positive Affect 48 h following drug administration, compared to placebo (d = .79 and .51, respectively). This study provides initial results to help guide future well-powered studies with large samples and longer follow-up timepoints to continue to investigate how MDMA impacts personality and emotional experience, which may inform optimization of MDMA treatment approaches.“
Authors: Jessica L. Maples-Keller, Courtland S. Hyatt, Nathaniel L. Phillips, Brinkley M. Sharpe, Andrew Sherrill, Carly Yasinski, Collin Reiff, Jeffrey Rakofsky, Sheila A. M. Rauch, Boadie W. Dunlop & Barbara O. Rothbaum
Summary of Rapid Effects of MDMA Administration on Self-Reported Personality Traits and Affect State
The introduction of the research article outlines the therapeutic potential of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), particularly in the context of treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). MDMA is characterised by its empathogenic properties, meaning it fosters feelings of emotional closeness and connection to others, which may enhance therapeutic outcomes when used in conjunction with psychotherapy. The authors note that while previous studies have highlighted the efficacy of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD, there has been limited research focusing specifically on how MDMA affects personality traits and emotional states in controlled settings.
The authors emphasise the need for well-controlled studies that assess changes in personality and affective states following MDMA administration. Most prior research in this area has relied on cross-sectional comparisons between MDMA users and non-users, leading to a gap in understanding the causal effects of MDMA on personality traits. The current study aims to address this gap by investigating the rapid impacts of MDMA on five-factor model (FFM) personality traits and affective states in a placebo-controlled trial involving healthy adults.
Methods
Participants
Find this paper
https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2024.2420044
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Cite this paper (APA)
Maples-Keller, J. L., Hyatt, C. S., Phillips, N. L., Sharpe, B. M., Sherrill, A., Yasinski, C., ... & Rothbaum, B. O. (2024). Rapid Effects of MDMA Administration on Self-Reported Personality Traits and Affect State: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial in Healthy Adults. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 1-9.
Study details
Compounds studied
MDMA
Topics studied
Healthy Subjects
Personality
Study characteristics
Original
Placebo-Controlled
Double-Blind
Randomized
Theory Building
Participants
34
Humans
Compound Details
The psychedelics given at which dose and how many times
MDMA 100 mg | 1x