MDMA alters emotional processing and facilitates positive social interaction

Summary

MDMA (ecstasy) slows the ability to perceive angry facial expressions, heightens physiological responses to happy expressions, and increases the use of positive words and perceptions of empathy and regard during social interactions. In a double-blind study with 36 healthy volunteers who had previously used ecstasy, doses of 0.75 and 1.5 mg/kg produced these prosocial effects, which were not strongly linked to participants' desire to take the drug again. The findings suggest MDMA alters basic emotional processing by dampening negative emotion recognition and amplifying positive responses, which may contribute to its therapeutic value in psychotherapy but appears less related to its abuse potential.

Study at a glance

Abstract

±3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “ecstasy”) produces “prosocial” effects, such as feelings of empathy and closeness, thought to be important to its abuse and its value in psychotherapy. However, it is not fully understood how MDMA alters basic emotional processes to produce these effects, or whether it produces corresponding changes in actual social behavior. Here, we examined how MDMA affects perceptions of and responses to emotional expressions, and tested its effects on behavior during a social interaction. We also examined whether MDMA’s prosocial effects related to a measure of abuse liability. Over three sessions, 36 healthy volunteers with previous ecstasy use received MDMA (0.75, 1.5 mg/kg) and placebo under double-blind conditions. We measured (i) mood and cardiovascular effects, (ii) perception of and psychophysiological responses to emotional expressions, (iii) use of positive and negative words in a social interaction, and (iv) perceptions of an interaction partner. We then tested whether these effects predicted desire to take the drug again. MDMA slowed perception of angry expressions, increased psychophysiological responses to happy expressions, and increased positive word use and perceptions of partner empathy and regard in a social interaction. These effects were not strongly related to desire to take the drug again. MDMA alters basic emotional processes by slowing identification of negative emotions and increasing responses to positive emotions in others. Further, it positively affects behavior and perceptions during actual social interaction. These effects may contribute to the efficacy of MDMA in psychotherapy, but appear less closely related to its abuse potential.