Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

CNS Stimulants: Psychedelic Agents01:22

CNS Stimulants: Psychedelic Agents

283
Hallucinogens, also known as psychedelic drugs, are a class of substances known for their ability to alter perception, cognition, and emotions. Despite their profound effects on the mind, these drugs are non-addictive, setting them apart from many other abused substances. The mechanism of action of these drugs lies in their impact on the 5-HT2A receptor in the brain. Upon activation, this receptor couples to Gq-type G proteins, triggering a cascade that releases intracellular calcium. This...
283
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena01:15

Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena

770
Drug dependence, abuse, and addiction are complex phenomena that can precipitate various abnormal states. Physical dependence refers to a state of pharmacological adaptation to a drug. This adaptation often results in tolerance—a reduced response to the drug after repeated administrations. When the drug use is abruptly stopped, withdrawal symptoms occur due to the body's need to readjust from the pharmacologically induced imbalance. However, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms do not...
770
Stimulants01:29

Stimulants

412
Stimulants are substances that enhance neural activity and elevate dopamine levels in the brain, leading to their highly addictive nature. These drugs include cocaine, amphetamines, MDMA, caffeine, and nicotine, each with distinct mechanisms of action and varied health implications.
Cocaine can be administered via snorting, injection, or smoking. It primarily functions by blocking the reuptake of dopamine, resulting in a euphoric high characterized by an intense sensation of happiness and...
412
Hallucinogens and Psychedelics01:27

Hallucinogens and Psychedelics

310
Hallucinogens are psychoactive substances that profoundly alter perceptual experiences, generating unreal visual and sensory images. Often referred to as psychedelic drugs — a term derived from the Greek words "psyche" (mind) and "delos" (revealing) — these substances include marijuana and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), among others. These drugs vary in intensity and effects.
Marijuana, derived from the dried leaves and flowers of the hemp plant, contains...
310
An Overview of Psychoactive Drugs01:28

An Overview of Psychoactive Drugs

320
Psychoactive drugs impact brain function, influencing perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, and behavior. These substances are grouped based on their effects and the mechanisms by which they act.
Stimulants such as cocaine, amphetamines, and nicotine enhance brain activity, leading to increased alertness, attention, and energy. These drugs typically raise heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. While they can induce feelings of euphoria, their misuse can result in severe health...
320
Long-term Depression01:03

Long-term Depression

2.7K
Long-term depression, or LTD, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTD is the process of synaptic weakening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic weakening of LTD works in opposition to synaptic strengthening by long-term potentiation (LTP) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
Calcium Ion Concentration Mechanism
If over...
2.7K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same authorSame journal

Dose-effect analysis of 6-APB ("Benzofury") on fear memory, motor behavior, and reward.

Psychopharmacology·2026
Same author

Chronic 17β-estradiol treatment improves negative valence, anhedonic profile, and social interactions in ovariectomized, middle-aged female rats.

Frontiers in behavioral neuroscience·2025
Same author

Inhibition of prefrontal glutamatergic neuron activity during the recovery period following chronic stress disrupts fear memory in male rats: potential role of the infralimbic cortex.

Learning & memory (Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.)·2025
Same author

Correction to: MDMA and memory, addiction, and depression: dose-effect analysis.

Psychopharmacology·2022
Same author

Adaptive Homeostatic Strategies of Resilient Intrinsic Self-Regulation in Extremes (RISE): A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Novel Behavioral Treatment for Chronic Pain.

Frontiers in psychology·2021
Same author

Altered Phosphorylation of the Proteasome Subunit Rpt6 Has Minimal Impact on Synaptic Plasticity and Learning.

eNeuro·2021

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 3, 2025

A General Method for Evaluating Deep Brain Stimulation Effects on Intravenous Methamphetamine Self-Administration
09:16

A General Method for Evaluating Deep Brain Stimulation Effects on Intravenous Methamphetamine Self-Administration

Published on: January 22, 2016

15.4K

MDMA and memory, addiction, and depression: dose-effect analysis.

Madeline M Pantoni1,2, Jinah L Kim3, Kaitlin R Van Alstyne3

  • 1Molecular Cognition Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA. maddie.pantoni@gmail.com.

Psychopharmacology
|February 18, 2022
PubMed
Summary

This study shows that 3 mg/kg is the threshold for 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-induced amnesia in mice. Low doses of MDMA (< 1 mg/kg) did not impair memory or show addictive potential, suggesting safety for therapeutic use.

Keywords:
3,4-MethylenedioxymethamphetamineAddictionBehavioral sensitizationConditioned place preferenceDepressionMDMAMemoryMicePavlovian fear conditioningStimulant

More Related Videos

A Plate-Based Assay for the Measurement of Endogenous Monoamine Release in Acute Brain Slices
07:56

A Plate-Based Assay for the Measurement of Endogenous Monoamine Release in Acute Brain Slices

Published on: August 11, 2021

3.5K
Single Cell Measurement of Dopamine Release with Simultaneous Voltage-clamp and Amperometry
07:30

Single Cell Measurement of Dopamine Release with Simultaneous Voltage-clamp and Amperometry

Published on: November 21, 2012

14.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Oct 3, 2025

A General Method for Evaluating Deep Brain Stimulation Effects on Intravenous Methamphetamine Self-Administration
09:16

A General Method for Evaluating Deep Brain Stimulation Effects on Intravenous Methamphetamine Self-Administration

Published on: January 22, 2016

15.4K
A Plate-Based Assay for the Measurement of Endogenous Monoamine Release in Acute Brain Slices
07:56

A Plate-Based Assay for the Measurement of Endogenous Monoamine Release in Acute Brain Slices

Published on: August 11, 2021

3.5K
Single Cell Measurement of Dopamine Release with Simultaneous Voltage-clamp and Amperometry
07:30

Single Cell Measurement of Dopamine Release with Simultaneous Voltage-clamp and Amperometry

Published on: November 21, 2012

14.0K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychopharmacology
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) shows therapeutic promise but its behavioral toxicity and dose-effect relationship are unclear.
  • Previous reviews suggest low-dose MDMA (< 3 mg/kg) does not impair memory, but high doses (≥ 3 mg/kg) yield mixed results.
  • An empirical dose-ranging study is needed to clarify MDMA's effects on behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate if 3 mg/kg is the threshold for MDMA-induced amnesia.
  • To further elucidate the dose-effect relationship of MDMA on memory, addiction, and depression behaviors.
  • To inform safe dosing strategies for potential MDMA-assisted therapies.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic examination of MDMA effects across a dose range (0.01–10 mg/kg) in mice.
  • Behavioral assays included Pavlovian fear conditioning, behavioral sensitization, conditioned place preference, conditioned responding, and the Porsolt forced swim test.
  • Dose-dependent effects on memory, addiction potential, and depressive behaviors were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • High MDMA doses (≥ 3 mg/kg) induced amnesia in fear conditioning memory.
  • High MDMA doses also showed some evidence of addictive potential and antidepressant effects.
  • Low MDMA doses (≤ 1 mg/kg) did not produce amnesia, addictive potential, or antidepressant effects.

Conclusions:

  • 3 mg/kg serves as the threshold dose for MDMA-induced amnesia.
  • Careful dose selection is critical for MDMA's therapeutic application, avoiding high doses (≥ 3 mg/kg) due to amnesia and addiction risks.
  • Low and ultra-low MDMA doses (< 1-2 mg/kg) appear safe and warrant further investigation for therapeutic potential.