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.
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.”
Authors: Matthew G. Kirkpatrick, Royce Lee, Margaret C. Wardle, Suma Jacobs & Harriet de Wit
Find this paper
Effects of MDMA and Intranasal oxytocin on social and emotional processing
https://doi.org/10.1038/npp.2014.12
Open Access | Google Scholar | Backup | 🕊
Study details
Compounds studied
MDMA
Topics studied
Personality
Study characteristics
Original
Placebo-Controlled
Double-Blind
Within-Subject
Participants
65
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 52.5 - 105mg | 1x
Linked Research Papers
Notable research papers that build on or are influenced by this paper
Intimate insight: MDMA changes how people talk about significant othersThis randomized placebo-controlled within-subjects study (n=35) investigated the effects of MDMA (105mg/70kg) on speech content, with regard to the frequency of words related to affect, social interaction, and cognition, while discussing a close personal relationship (e.g. a friend or family member) with a research assistant. Using both linguistic inventory and machine learning methods, results showed that participants were more likely to use words with sexual and social content, and more words associated with positive and negative emotions, under the influence of MDMA.
Plasma oxytocin concentrations following MDMA or intranasal oxytocin in humans
This double-blind trial (n=14) compared the effects of MDMA (52.5-105 mg/70kg), intranasal oxytocin (20 IU or 40 IU), and placebo on plasma oxytocin concentrations. MDMA (105 mg/70kg only) increased plasma oxytocin levels to a mean peak of 83.7 pg/ml at approximately 90–120 min compared to a 48.0 pg/ml, 30–60 min increase after oxytocin administration.