Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 3, 2026
The Trier Social Stress Test Protocol for Inducing Psychological Stress
Published on: October 19, 2011
MDMA does not alter responses to the Trier Social Stress Test in humans
Anya K Bershad1,2, Melissa A Miller1, Harriet de Wit3
1Interdisciplinary Scientist Training Program, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
Rationale:
±3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy") is a stimulant-psychedelic drug with unique social effects. It may dampen reactivity to negative social stimuli such as social threat and rejection. Perhaps because of these effects, MDMA has shown promise as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the effect of single doses of MDMA on responses to an acute psychosocial stressor has not been tested.
Objectives:
In this study, we sought to test the effects of MDMA on responses to stress in healthy adults using a public speaking task. We hypothesized that the drug would reduce responses to the stressful task.
Methods:
Volunteers (N = 39) were randomly assigned to receive placebo (N = 13), 0.5 mg/kg MDMA (N = 13), or 1.0 mg/kg MDMA (N = 13) during a stress and a no-stress session. Dependent measures included subjective reports of drug effects and emotional responses to the task, as well as salivary cortisol, heart rate, and blood pressure.
Results:
The stress task produced its expected increase in physiological responses (cortisol, heart rate) and subjective ratings of stress in all three groups, and MDMA produced its expected subjective and physiological effects. MDMA alone increased ratings of subjective stress, heart rate, and saliva cortisol concentrations, but contrary to our hypothesis, it did not moderate responses to the Trier Social Stress Test.
Conclusions:
Despite its efficacy in PTSD and anxiety, MDMA did not reduce either the subjective or objective responses to stress in this controlled study. The conditions under which MDMA relieves responses to negative events or memories remain to be determined.
Insights
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) did not reduce stress responses in healthy adults during a public speaking task. This study suggests MDMA
Area of Science:
- Psychopharmacology
- Neuroscience
- Stress Research
Background:
- 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) exhibits unique social effects, potentially dampening reactivity to negative social stimuli.
- MDMA has shown promise for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to its effects on social stimuli.
- The impact of MDMA on acute psychosocial stress responses in healthy adults remains uninvestigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of MDMA on responses to an acute psychosocial stressor in healthy adults.
- To test the hypothesis that MDMA would reduce stress responses during a public speaking task.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-nine healthy volunteers were randomized to receive placebo, 0.5 mg/kg MDMA, or 1.0 mg/kg MDMA.
- Participants underwent a stress session (public speaking task) and a no-stress session.
- Measures included subjective reports, salivary cortisol, heart rate, and blood pressure.
Main Results:
- The stress task increased physiological and subjective stress responses across all groups.
- MDMA administration led to expected subjective and physiological effects, including increased heart rate and cortisol.
- Contrary to the hypothesis, MDMA did not moderate responses to the Trier Social Stress Test.
Conclusions:
- MDMA did not attenuate subjective or objective responses to acute psychosocial stress in healthy adults.
- The specific conditions under which MDMA alleviates responses to negative events require further investigation.
