The 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) reduces prosocial behavior in the social preference test in male and female rats.
Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior February 1, 2026 Daniel A Palacios-Lagunas, Juan C Hernández-mondragón, Kjell Fuxe et al. 1 citation
MDMA, known for promoting prosocial feelings in humans, unexpectedly reduced social behavior in male rats regardless of whether they lived alone or in groups. In female rats, the same reduction occurred only in those housed individually; group-housed females showed no change. The data also hinted that individual rats varied in their response to MDMA, suggesting personal differences matter. More research is needed to understand how such variation influences MDMA's effects.