This randomized, controlled trial (n=18 MDMA, n=19 methamphetamine) investigates the effects of MDMA (100 mg) and methamphetamine (MA; 20 mg) on feelings of connectedness during a semi-structured casual conversation with an unfamiliar partner. The study finds that MDMA and MA increased feelings of connection and elevated oxytocin levels compared to placebo. However, a correlation between increased oxytocin levels and feelings of closeness was observed only in the MDMA group, highlighting MDMA’s unique empathogenic effects.
Abstract of Drug-induced social connection
“MDMA is a stimulant-like drug with distinctive empathogenic effects. Its pro-social effects, such as feelings of connectedness, may contribute to both its popularity as a recreational drug and its apparent value as an adjunct to psychotherapy. However, little is known about the behavioral processes by which MDMA affects social interactions. This investigation examined the effects of MDMA (100 mg versus placebo; N = 18) on feelings of connectedness with an unfamiliar partner during a semi-structured casual conversation. A separate study examined the effects of a prototypic stimulant methamphetamine (MA; 20 mg versus placebo; N = 19) to determine the pharmacological specificity of effects. Oxytocin levels were obtained in both studies. Compared to placebo, both MDMA and MA increased feelings of connection with the conversation partners. Both MDMA and MA increased oxytocin levels, but oxytocin levels were correlated with feeling closer to the partner only after MDMA. These findings demonstrate an important new dimension of the pro-social effects of MDMA, its ability to increase feelings of connectedness during casual conversations between two individuals. Surprisingly, MA had a similar effect. The findings extend our knowledge of the social effects of these drugs, and illustrate a sensitive method for assessing pro-social effects during in-person dyadic encounters.”
Authors: Hanna Molla, Royce Lee, Sonja Lyubomirsky & Harriet de Wit
Summary of Drug-induced social connection
The drug MDMA promotes sociability and feelings of connection with others, and may also contribute to its effectiveness as an adjunct in treating posttraumatic stress disorder. However, researchers have limited understanding of how psychoactive drugs affect social processes.
MDMA has been shown to produce prosocial effects in laboratory animals and humans, and it also affects socio-emotional processing during computerized tasks in ways that are likely to impact social function. However, few studies have directly examined the effect of MDMA on participants’ behaviour and feelings during real-life interpersonal interactions.
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https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-43156-0
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Cite this paper (APA)
Molla, H., Lee, R., Lyubomirsky, S., & de Wit, H. (2023). Drug-induced social connection: both MDMA and methamphetamine increase feelings of connectedness during controlled dyadic conversations. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 15846.
Study details
Compounds studied
MDMA
Topics studied
Healthy Subjects
Study characteristics
Original
Double-Blind
Randomized
Participants
37
Humans
Authors
Authors associated with this publication with profiles on Blossom
Harriet de WitHarriet de Wit is a Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at the University of Chicago. Her research focuses on the physiological, subjective (i.e., mood-altering), and behavioral effects of drugs in healthy human volunteers.
Institutes
Institutes associated with this publication
University of ChicagoResearch with psychedelics is taking place at the Human Behavioral Pharmacology Lab at the University of Chicago.
Compound Details
The psychedelics given at which dose and how many times
MDMA 100 mg | 1xLinked Clinical Trial
Drug Effects on Interpersonal InteractionThis double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial (n=30) investigated the effects of MDMA (100mg) compared to placebo on feelings of closeness and mood in semi-structured dyadic conversations.