MDMA as well as amphetamine and alcohol increase feelings of social closeness in healthy adults.

Psychoactive drugs like alcohol and stimulants are often used in social settings, but little is known about how they alter social interactions. This study tested whether MDMA, methamphetamine, and alcohol increase feelings of connection between strangers having a conversation, and also compared conversations with deeper topics versus small talk without drugs. All four conditions—deeper conversations, MDMA, methamphetamine, and alcohol—significantly increased feelings of connection and closeness compared to control conditions (small talk or placebo). The authors suggest these feelings of connection may contribute to the rewarding effects of drugs when used socially.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Psychoactive drugs such as alcohol and stimulants are typically used in social settings such as bars, parties or small groups. Yet, relatively little is known about how social contexts affect responses to drugs, or how the drugs alter social interactions. It is possible that positive social contexts enhance the rewarding properties of drugs, perhaps increasing their potential for repeated use and abuse. In addition, drugs may enhance the rewarding effects of social interactions by increasing feelings of social closeness and connectedness. To examine these relations, we investigated the effects of several drugs (MDMA, methamphetamine, alcohol) on feelings of connection between two strangers engaged in a conversation. We also investigated feelings of connection between two participants who discussed either 'shallow' or deeper topics in two conversations, without any drugs. All four conditions: deeper conversations, MDMA, methamphetamine and alcohol significantly increased feelings of connection and closeness compared with control conditions (small talk or placebo). We postulate that these feelings of connection could contribute to the drugs' rewarding effects when the drugs are used in social contexts.