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Neuropsychopharmacology (2014) 39, 16541663
& 2014 American College of Neuropsychopharmacology. All rights reserved 0893-133X/14 http://www.neuropsychopharmacology.org
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Effects of MDMA and Intranasal Oxytocin on Social and Emotional Processing
Matthew G Kirkpatrick1, Royce Lee1, Margaret C Wardle1, Suma Jacob2 and Harriet de Wit*,1
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; 2Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Chicago, IL, USA
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.
Neuropsychopharmacology (2014) 39, 16541663; doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/npp.2014.12
Web End =10.1038/npp.2014.12 ; published online 12 February 2014
Keywords: MDMA; oxytocin; mood; social behavior; emotion; humans
INTRODUCTIONThe amphetamine analog 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) is a common recreational drug, typically used in social settings and reportedly used because it produces feelings of empathy, sociability, and interpersonal closeness (Bravo, 2001; Kelly et al, 2006; Rodgers et al, 2006; Sumnall et al, 2006). In light of these effects, it is also being tested as an adjunct to psychotherapy for...