Methylenedioxymethamphetamine is a connectogen with empathogenic, entactogenic, and still further connective properties: It is time to reconcile “the great entactogen—empathogen debate”

MDMA is described by two terms—empathogen (promoting empathy and openness) and entactogen (promoting introspection and self-awareness). A review of the origin and usage of these terms finds no consistent reason why researchers choose one over the other. The authors argue that both properties stem from a single holistic experience: an intense feeling of connection. Entactogen refers to deep connection with oneself, empathogen to deep connection with others. They propose the new term connectogen to unify these effects, noting that MDMA may also foster connection with the here-and-now, the body, the world, and spiritual principles. The paper compares MDMA's connectogenic properties with those of classic psychedelics.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Science on methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and MDMA-like substances is faced with the unique situation that this class of psychoactive agents is referred to with two basic names for its effects on the mind: empathogens and entactogens. Empathogen usually refers to the prosocial, empathetic, and openness properties of MDMA, while entactogen usually refers to the introspective and self-awareness properties of this substance. We review the origin and usage of the two terms, and also review recent findings that support that MDMA is an empathogen and an entactogen. Mostly no specified reasons can be detected whether research groups employ the term “entactogenic,” “empathogenic,” both, or neither, in their publications. A case is made that the use of two basic names for the effects on the mind for the same class of psychoactive substances is not warranted because a holistic principle underlies empathogenic and entactogenic properties of MDMA: an intense feeling of connection. Entactogenic characterizes being deeply connected to oneself, and empathogenic being deeply connected to others. We therefore suggest the name connectogen as the new basic name for the mind effects of MDMA and MDMA-like substances, a term having the connotation of producing a joining together/producing a connection. Thus, MDMA is basically a connectogen with at least the two major connective properties: entactogenic (intrapersonal) and empathogenic (interpersonal). Furthermore, first evidence shows that MDMA might also have further connectogenic properties such as a strong sense of connection with the here-and-now, the body, the world, and with spiritual principles. Finally, we compare connectogenic properties of MDMA with connectogenic properties of classic psychedelics, and lay out some future research in this regard.