Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 11, 2025
Using Facial Electromyography to Assess Facial Muscle Reactions to Experienced and Observed Affective Touch in Humans
Published on: March 15, 2019
MDMA modulates human sensorimotor cortical pathways during gentle touch
Hanna Molla1, Giovanni Novembre2, Anya Bershad3
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, IL, United States.
Abstract:
The stimulant ± 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) has been shown to enhance the perceived pleasantness of touch. However, the underlying neural processes contributing to touch-related effects of MDMA are not well understood. Using a double-blind, randomized, within-subject design, this study used fMRI to examine hemodynamic changes following MDMA (1.5 mg/kg) vs. lactose placebo administration during gentle touch stimulation in a healthy sample (N= 18). Participants were stroked on the forearm at a slower, more pleasant (3 cm/s), and a faster (30 cm/s), less pleasant speed. For the MDMA session, participants' affective ratings of touch stimulation were higher than their placebo ratings. Increase in plasma oxytocin (OT) levels was also greater during the MDMA session. On the neural level, primary sensorimotor areas showed greater hemodynamic changes during the MDMA than during the placebo session for both touch speeds, indicating a relatively early influence within somatosensory pathways. Changes in OT levels showed an interaction with drug in an occipitotemporal region, area MT+, associated with motion perception. However, posterior insula did not show preferential activation for the slower stroking speed. These initial findings provide a basis for extending our knowledge of the neural processes underlying the effect of MDMA on affective touch.
Insights
The stimulant 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) enhances the pleasantness of touch by influencing early somatosensory pathways. This study used fMRI to observe brain activity and found increased affective ratings and oxytocin levels with MDMA.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychopharmacology
- Somatosensory research
Background:
- 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is known to increase the pleasantness of tactile sensations.
- The neural mechanisms behind MDMA's effects on touch perception remain largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neural correlates of MDMA's influence on affective touch perception.
- To examine the role of oxytocin in mediating these effects.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, randomized, within-subject design was employed with 18 healthy participants.
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) measured brain activity during gentle touch stimulation at different speeds (3 cm/s and 30 cm/s) after MDMA or placebo administration.
- Plasma oxytocin levels were measured.
Main Results:
- Participants reported higher affective ratings for touch during the MDMA session compared to placebo.
- Increased plasma oxytocin levels were observed with MDMA.
- fMRI data revealed greater hemodynamic changes in primary sensorimotor areas during MDMA, suggesting an early influence on somatosensory processing.
- Oxytocin levels interacted with MDMA in the occipitotemporal region MT+, associated with motion perception.
Conclusions:
- MDMA modulates affective touch perception through early somatosensory pathway alterations.
- Oxytocin may play a role in the interaction between MDMA, touch perception, and motion processing.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the neural basis of MDMA's effects on tactile experience.
