MDMA enhances “mind reading” of positive emotions and impairs “mind reading” of negative emotions

Hysek, Cédric M.; Domes, Gregor; Liechti, Matthias E.

doi:10.1007/s00213-012-2645-9

Cited by 132 publications

(189 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Thus, MDMA mainly seems to enhance pleasure in touching and physical closeness rather than actual sexual engagement and is also reported to impair sexual performance (Frohmader et al, 2010;Passie et al, 2005;Theall et al, 2006;Zemishlany et al, 2001). Neurochemically, MDMA enhances 5-HT and NE and weakly also DA transmission (Hysek et al, 2012b) but additionally, MDMA also releases oxytocin and prolactin (Hysek et al, 2012a;Hysek et al, 2013). Dopamine, NE and oxytocin enhance and 5-HT and prolactin inhibit sexual excitation Pfaus, 2009).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, MDMA has been shown to acutely alter related components of social cognition including recognition of facial emotions (Bedi et al, 2010;Hysek et al, 2012a;Hysek et al, 2013;Hysek et al, 2014;Kirkpatrick et al, 2014) and emotional empathy (Hysek et al, 2013;Kuypers et al, 2014;Schmid et al, 2014). Additionally, changes in 5-HT levels may influence cognitions sustaining intimate relationships.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of methylphenidate and MDMA on appraisal of erotic stimuli and intimate relationships

Schmid

Hysek

Preller

et al. 2015

European Neuropsychopharmacology

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Methylphenidate mainly enhances dopamine neurotransmission whereas 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy") mainly enhances serotonin neurotransmission. However, both drugs also induce a weaker increase of cerebral noradrenaline exerting sympathomimetic properties. Dopaminergic psychostimulants are reported to increase sexual drive, while serotonergic drugs typically impair sexual arousal and functions. Additionally, serotonin has also been shown to modulate cognitive perception of romantic relationships. Whether methylphenidate or MDMA alter sexual arousal or cognitive appraisal of intimate relationships is not known. Thus, we evaluated effects of methylphenidate (40mg) and MDMA (75mg) on subjective sexual arousal by viewing erotic pictures and on perception of romantic relationships of unknown couples in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study in 30 healthy adults. Methylphenidate, but not MDMA, increased ratings of sexual arousal for explicit sexual stimuli. The participants also sought to increase the presentation time of implicit sexual stimuli by button press after methylphenidate treatment compared with placebo. Plasma levels of testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone were not associated with sexual arousal ratings. Neither MDMA nor methylphenidate altered appraisal of romantic relationships of others. The findings indicate that pharmacological stimulation of dopaminergic but not of serotonergic neurotransmission enhances sexual drive. Whether sexual perception is altered in subjects misusing methylphenidate e.g., for cognitive enhancement or as treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is of high interest and warrants further investigation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of methylphenidate and MDMA on appraisal of erotic stimuli and intimate relationships

Schmid

Hysek

Preller

et al. 2015

European Neuropsychopharmacology

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“…Because 125 mg MDMA did not alter overall mind reading accuracy (Hysek et al, 2012a) or cognitive empathy (Hysek et al, 2013) we did not expect that 75 mg MDMA would produce general impairments in cognitive empathy or ToM (Hysek et al, 2012a;Hysek et al, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Differential effects of MDMA and methylphenidate on social cognition

et al. 2014

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“…For example, our laboratory investigated the mode of action of MDMA in humans by blocking the NET, SERT, or DAT or combinations thereof (Hysek et al, 2011;Hysek et al, 2012c;Hysek et al, 2014;Liechti et al, 2000;Schmid et al, 2014;Schmid et al, 2015). These studies showed that NET and α 1 -adrenergic stimulation are crucially involved in MDMA-induced sympathomimetic activation, including elevations of blood pressure and body temperature (Hysek et al, 2012a;Hysek et al, 2013;Hysek et al, 2011;Schmid et al, 2015) and that the SERT-mediated release of 5-HT is involved in the subjective entactogenic/empathogenic effects of MDMA (Hysek et al, 2012b;Hysek et al, 2012c;Liechti et al, 2000). Interactions with the DAT and activation of the DA system are generally considered responsible for the reinforcing and addictive properties of a substance (Howell & Wilcox, 2002).…”

Section: Methods For Studying Transporter and Receptor Pharmacology Imentioning

confidence: 99%

Interactions of Cathinone NPS with Human Transporters and Receptors in Transfected Cells

Simmler

Liechti

2016

Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences

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Pharmacological assays carried out in transfected cells have been very useful for describing the mechanism of action of cathinone new psychoactive substances (NPS). These in vitro characterizations provide fast and reliable information on psychoactive substances soon after they emerge for recreational use. Well-investigated comparator compounds, such as methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, cocaine, and lysergic acid diethylamide, should always be included in the characterization to enhance the translation of the in vitro data into clinically useful information. We classified cathinone NPS according to their pharmacology at monoamine transporters and receptors. Cathinone NPS are monoamine uptake inhibitors and most induce transportermediated monoamine efflux with weak to no activity at pre-or postsynaptic receptors. Cathinones with a nitrogen-containing pyrrolidine ring emerged as NPS that are extremely potent transporter inhibitors but not monoamine releasers. Cathinones exhibit clinically relevant differences in relative potencies at serotonin vs. dopamine transporters. Additionally, cathinone NPS have more dopaminergic vs. serotonergic properties compared with their non-β-keto amphetamine analogs, suggesting more stimulant and reinforcing properties. In conclusion, in vitro pharmacological assays in heterologous expression systems help to predict the psychoactive and toxicological effects of NPS.

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MDMA enhances “mind reading” of positive emotions and impairs “mind reading” of negative emotions

Cited by 132 publications

References 49 publications

Effects of methylphenidate and MDMA on appraisal of erotic stimuli and intimate relationships

Effects of methylphenidate and MDMA on appraisal of erotic stimuli and intimate relationships

Differential effects of MDMA and methylphenidate on social cognition

Interactions of Cathinone NPS with Human Transporters and Receptors in Transfected Cells

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