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Acute effects of MDMA on trust, cooperative behaviour and empathy: A double-blind, placebo-controlled experiment

Anna Borissova1,2, Bart Ferguson3, Matthew B Wall1,4,5

  • 1Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, UCL, London, UK.

Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
|June 16, 2020
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) did not improve prosocial behaviors like empathy or trust in a lab setting, despite subjective reports of increased closeness. Further research is needed to understand MDMA

Area of Science:

  • Psychopharmacology
  • Social Psychology
  • Clinical Psychology

Background:

  • 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is being investigated for its potential therapeutic applications, particularly as an adjunct to psychotherapy.
  • MDMA is known for its acute prosocial effects, which may enhance trust, empathy, and cooperative behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the acute effects of MDMA on measures of empathy, trust, and cooperative behavior.
  • To assess subacute changes in mood three days following MDMA administration.

Main Methods:

  • A double-blind, repeated-measures, placebo-controlled experiment involving 25 participants.
  • Participants received either MDMA (100 mg) or a placebo in two acute sessions, followed by subacute mood assessments three days later.
  • Prosocial behaviors were measured using various tasks, including trust investment, empathy stories, and game theory scenarios. Plasma MDMA levels were also monitored.

Main Results:

  • MDMA significantly increased self-reported 'closeness to others' and 'euphoria' but did not alter task-based measures of empathy, trust, or cooperative behavior.
  • Bayesian analyses indicated no significant difference between MDMA and placebo in their effects on empathy and cooperative behavior.
  • Subacute mood assessments revealed no significant changes following MDMA administration.

Conclusions:

  • Despite observed subjective effects and increased plasma MDMA levels, MDMA did not enhance prosocial behavior in a controlled laboratory environment.
  • The findings suggest that the prosocial effects of MDMA may not translate to measurable improvements in laboratory-based assessments of trust and cooperation.
Keywords:
MDMAcooperative behaviourempathyprosocialtrust

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