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MDMA enhances positive affective responses to social feedback.

Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
March 1, 2024
Anya K Bershad et al. (3 authors)
Randomized Controlled TrialJournal ArticleResearch Support, N.I.H., ExtramuralHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to test the effects of MDMA compared to placebo and methamphetamine on responses to positive and negative social feedback in healthy adults.

Results Summary

The high dose of MDMA increased positive affective responses to social feedback, suggesting a mechanism by which MDMA may facilitate social connection.

Population

Healthy adult volunteers ages 18-40 (N=36, 18 women, 18 men).

Effective Dosage

0.75 mg/kg and 1.5 mg/kg MDMA, 20 mg methamphetamine.

Duration

Not specified in the abstract.

Interactions

None mentioned.

Extracted Claims (4)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
MDMA
neutral
treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder
-
-
has shown promise as an adjunct to psychotherapy
#1
MDMA
increase
social images
-
-
increases positive responses
#2
MDMA
increase
social perception
-
-
positively bias
#3
MDMA
increase
social feedback
healthy adult volunteers ages 18-40
-
increased positive affective responses
#4
Abstract

BACKGROUND: The prosocial compound ± 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is an amphetamine derivative that has shown promise as an adjunct to psychotherapy in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. MDMA increases positive responses to social images, and it has been suggested that the ability of MDMA to positively bias social perception may underlie its therapeutic efficacy as a psychotherapy adjunct. However, the effect of the compound on affective responses to positive or negative social feedback has not been tested. AIMS: In this study, we aimed to test the effects of MDMA compared to placebo and the prototypical stimulant, methamphetamine (MA), on responses to positive and negative social feedback. METHODS: This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial (NCT03790618), comparing the effects of two doses of MDMA (0.75 mg/kg, 1.5 mg/kg) to both placebo and MA (20 mg) on responses to a personalized social feedback task, similar to a dating app, in healthy adult volunteers ages 18-40 (N = 36, 18 women, 18 men). RESULTS/OUTCOMES: The high dose of MDMA increased positive affective responses to social feedback. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATIONS: These findings suggest one process by which MDMA may facilitate social connection. Further work is needed to understand how MDMA affects responses to more generalized types of social feedback and to understand these effects in clinical populations.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
MaleAdultHumansFemaleN-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamineFeedbackMethamphetamineStress Disorders, Post-TraumaticAmphetamineDouble-Blind MethodHallucinogens
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality85/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations5
Citations/Year5.0
Relative Citation Ratio2.23
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.50
Weight Score2.98
Normalized Score0.67
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MDMA enhances positive affective responses to social feedbac... | Panacea Index