Enhanced Feelings of Connection in Conversations Induced by MDMA

 

Enhanced Feelings of Connection in Conversations Induced by MDMA

Researchers have delved into the potential of MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy) to foster profound feelings of connection in controlled environments. Their groundbreaking study reveals that individuals who consumed MDMA or methamphetamine reported heightened sensations of connection during conversations compared to those who received a placebo.

Key Findings:

1. MDMA and methamphetamine users experienced increased feelings of connection during conversations, which correlated positively with oxytocin levels.

2. Surprisingly, the feelings of closeness induced by methamphetamine did not correspond to oxytocin levels, shedding light on the unique empathogenic potential of MDMA.

3. These findings underscore the potential of MDMA to complement traditional psychotherapy, particularly for individuals dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, is a recreational psychedelic drug often associated with enhancing feelings of closeness and social connection. This "empathogenic" effect has piqued the interest of researchers exploring its potential applications as an adjunct to traditional talk therapy. Recent clinical trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of MDMA-assisted therapy in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Chicago, published in Scientific Reports on September 22, 2023, investigated the pharmacological effects of MDMA and its influence on social interactions.

In a series of meticulously controlled laboratory experiments, volunteers who took MDMA reported significantly greater feelings of connection with their conversation partners compared to those who had taken a placebo. Surprisingly, individuals who ingested methamphetamine, a stimulant known for its non-empathogenic effects and different brain receptor interactions, also reported similar feelings of connectedness as those who took MDMA.

Hanna Molla, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at UChicago and the study's first author, noted, "MDMA increased feelings of connection, or feeling in sync with their partner, and how meaningful the conversation was relative to when they took a placebo. But interestingly, we found the same exact effect with methamphetamine. Pharmacologically, there are distinctions between the drugs, so there might be some differences in terms of the underlying mechanisms to how these drugs produce feelings of closeness."

Under the supervision of Harriet de Wit, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at UChicago and senior author of the paper, the research team conducted experiments pairing healthy adult volunteers with unfamiliar partners.

In some sessions, participants were administered a 100 mg dose of MDMA in a capsule, while other times they received a placebo. The experiments were conducted under double-blind conditions to minimize expectancy bias.

Following drug administration, volunteers engaged in structured conversations with their partners, discussing casual topics such as favorite TV shows or holidays, without prompting deep or highly emotional responses.

A similar experiment was conducted with methamphetamine, administered at a 20 mg dose. Despite its reputation as a substance with abuse potential, methamphetamine is clinically prescribed in small amounts for conditions like narcolepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methamphetamine's receptor actions in the brain share some similarities with MDMA but also exhibit differences.

In both drug experiments, participants rated their partner and the overall quality of the conversation. Saliva samples were collected to measure oxytocin levels, a hormone associated with strengthening social bonds.

Volunteers who received MDMA reported feeling more connected and holding more positive feelings towards their conversation partners. The drug also elevated their oxytocin levels, positively correlating with their feelings of closeness.

Conversely, participants who took methamphetamine reported similar levels of closeness with their conversation partners, but these feelings were not associated with their oxytocin levels.

Researchers studying MDMA's effects believe that it could enhance traditional psychotherapy by strengthening the connection between patients and therapists. This, in turn, may facilitate more productive conversations and make patients feel more comfortable when discussing their emotions.

Harriet de Wit commented, "When we see that a drug like MDMA is used in a recreational setting, it may be because people believe it makes them more connected. As researchers, we're interested in what psychological components are involved. Everything we've seen with MDMA in controlled laboratory studies suggests that these effects would facilitate psychotherapy and make the process go better. There may be different ways to get people to feel more connected, one mediated by oxytocin as with MDMA, and the other mediated by something else. But it may be that just getting people to talk and have a long conversation makes them feel connected with each other."

Funding: The research presented in this press release received support from the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health under award number R01DA002812. Additional authors of the study include Royce Lee from the University of Chicago and Sonja Lyubomirsky from the University of California, Riverside. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.