Acute psychomotor, memory and subjective effects of MDMA and THC co-administration over time in healthy volunteers
Journal of Psychopharmacology – September 03, 2010
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Co-administration of MDMA and THC significantly enhances the subjective effects of each drug without worsening cognitive impairment. In a study involving 16 healthy volunteers aged 18 to 27, THC produced greater cognitive deficits than MDMA alone. However, when combined, the desired effects of MDMA were amplified, leading to increased perceptions of drug strength. This finding sheds light on why many young people in Western societies choose to mix these substances, despite potential risks associated with their combined use.
Abstract
In Western societies a considerable percentage of young people expose themselves to the combination of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ‘ecstasy’) and cannabis. The aim of the present study was to assess the acute effects of co-administration of MDMA and THC (the main psychoactive compound of cannabis) on pharmacokinetics, psychomotor performance, memory and subjective experience over time. We performed a four-way, double blind, randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled study in 16 healthy volunteers (12 male, four female) between the ages of 18 and 27. MDMA (100 mg) was given orally, THC (4, 6, and 6 mg, interval of 90 min) was vaporized and inhaled. THC induced more robust cognitive impairment compared with MDMA, and co-administration did not exacerbate single drug effects on cognitive function. However, co-administration of THC with MDMA increased desired subjective drug effects and drug strength compared with the MDMA condition, which may explain the widespread use of this combination.