Does ±3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy) induce subjective feelings of social connection in humans? A multilevel meta-analysis
PLoS ONE October 25, 2021 Annie Regan, Seth Margolis, Harriet de Wit et al. 18 citations
MDMA produces a moderate-to-large increase in self-reported feelings of sociability—such as feeling loving, talkative, and friendly—according to a meta-analysis of 27 placebo-controlled studies involving 592 participants. The overall effect size was d = 0.86, indicating a substantial boost in sociability-related outcomes. This finding suggests MDMA could have powerful implications for social interactions and clinical settings, such as in psychotherapy. The analysis highlights the need for larger experimental studies and further investigation into the mechanisms linking MDMA to enhanced social connection.