Effects of MDMA on sociability and neural response to social threat and social reward
Open accessAbstract
Rationale +/-3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy") reportedly produces unique subjective effects, including increased sociability, feelings of closeness with others, and reduced interpersonal defensiveness. Despite their apparent importance in recreational and potential psychotherapeutic use of MDMA, the defining characteristics and neurobiological mechanisms of these interpersonal effects are poorly understood.Materials and methods We investigated acute effects of MDMA on self-reported sociability and neuronal activation in response to socially threatening (angry and fearful faces) and socially rewarding (happy faces) stimuli. Assessment of social threat response focused on amygdala activation, whereas assessment of social reward focused on ventral striatum activation. Healthy volunteers (N = 9) reporting past ecstasy use completed three experimental sessions, receiving MDMA (0.75 and 1.5 mg/kg) and placebo (PBO) under double-blind conditions. During peak drug effects, participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging while viewing standardized images depicting emotional facial expressions including angry, fearful, happy, and neutral expressions. They also completed standardized self-report measures of sociability.Results MDMA (1.5 mg/kg) increased self-reported sociability compared to MDMA (0.75 mg/kg) and PBO. MDMA (1.5 mg/kg) attenuated left amygdala response to angry facial expressions compared to PBO, but MDMA did not affect amygdala reactivity to fearful expressions. MDMA (0.75 mg/kg) enhanced ventral striatum response to happy expressions relative to PBO.Conclusions These data present the first evidence that MDMA may increase sociability in humans both by diminishing responses to threatening stimuli and enhancing responses to rewarding social signals.
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- Findingown data
MDMA raised peak DEQ ratings of feeling any drug effect.
“MDMA increased peak DEQ ratings of feeling any drug effect (DEQ Feel Drug; see Table 2).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
At 1.5 mg/kg, MDMA reduced primary motor cortex activation during a motor-visual task compared with placebo.
“In M1, MDMA (1.5mg/kg) also reduced activation compared to PBO ((10, −12, 76), t(8) = 5.82, p < .005, (−12, −28, 74), t(8) = 4.77, p < .005, (66, −6, 14), t(8) = 3.80, p < .005, (16, −36, 70), t(8) = 3.54, p < .005).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
The 0.75 mg/kg dose of MDMA raised ventral striatum reactivity to happy faces compared with placebo.
“MDMA (0.75mg/kg) enhanced ventral striatum response to happy expressions relative to PBO.”
- Also stated in: § RESULTS · plain
“T-tests indicated that VS activation to happy versus neutral faces was greater on MDMA (0.75mg/kg) than PBO (t(8) = 6.13, p < .001).”
- Also stated in: § RESULTS · hedged
“Analyses of BOLD signal responses extracted from spheres about peak activation for VS happy versus neutral faces also indicated an overall drug effect (F(2,16) = 8.41, p < .005), with VS activation (happy versus neutral faces) greater in both MDMA conditions than PBO (0.75mg/kg: t(8) = 5.51, p < .005; 1.5mg/kg: t(8) = 2.44, p < .05; Figure 4).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Also stated in: § RESULTS · plain
- Findingown data
At 1.5 mg/kg, MDMA reduced primary visual cortex activation during a motor-visual task compared with placebo.
“In V1, MDMA (1.5mg/kg) decreased activation relative to PBO ((6,−82, 6), t(8) = 3.81, p < .005, (12, −92, 16), t(8) = 3.72, p < .005).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
MDMA at 1.5 mg/kg increased self-reported sociability compared with 0.75 mg/kg and placebo.
“MDMA (1.5mg/kg) increased self-reported sociability compared to MDMA (0.75mg/kg) and PBO.”
- Also stated in: § RESULTS · plain
“MDMA significantly increased VAS ratings of Sociability (interaction of drug versus time), with a very large effect size (ήp2 = .28).”
- Also stated in: § RESULTS · hedged
“Simple main effects analyses of drug condition at individual time points revealed that MDMA (1.5mg/kg) increased ratings at 135 min relative to MDMA (0.75mg/kg), and marginally increased ratings compared to PBO (see Table 2; Figure 2).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Also stated in: § RESULTS · plain
- Findingown data
At 1.5 mg/kg, MDMA reduced left amygdala reactivity to angry faces relative to placebo.
“MDMA (1.5mg/kg) attenuated left amygdala response to angry facial expressions compared to PBO, but MDMA did not affect amygdala reactivity to fearful expressions.”
- Also stated in: § RESULTS · plain
“T-tests showed that left amygdala activation to angry versus neutral faces was greater on PBO than MDMA (1.5mg/kg: t(8) = 4.41, p < 0.005).”
- Also stated in: § RESULTS · plain
“Analyses of extracted BOLD signal responses from spheres about peak activation for left amygdala also revealed an overall effect of drug (F(2,16) = 7.24, p < .01), with amygdala activation (angry versus neutral) lower on MDMA (1.5mg/kg) than both PBO (t(8) = 3.34, p < .05) and MDMA (0.75mg/kg; t(8) = 2.44, p < .05; Figure 3).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Also stated in: § RESULTS · plain
- Findingown data
MDMA did not significantly raise POMS Friendliness scores.
“A similar pattern of results was found for POMS Friendliness (see Table 2; Figure 2), although the effect did not reach significance.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
MDMA did not change amygdala reactivity to fearful facial expressions.
“There was no effect of drug on amygdala reactivity to fear versus neutral faces.”
- Also stated in: § RESULTS · plain
“MDMA (1.5mg/kg) attenuated left amygdala response to angry facial expressions compared to PBO, but MDMA did not affect amygdala reactivity to fearful expressions.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Also stated in: § RESULTS · plain
- Findingown data
No correlations were found between ecstasy-use variables and extracted BOLD signals.
“There were no correlations between ecstasy-use variables and extracted BOLD signals”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
No effect of session order was found on subjective and cardiovascular measures or extracted BOLD signal responses.
“assessment of subjective and cardiovascular measures and extracted BOLD signal responses revealed no effect of session order”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingnone given
There was substantial variability in degree and recency of ecstasy exposure.
“There was substantial variability in degree and recency of exposure.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationown data
Past ecstasy use did not affect the results.
“suggesting past ecstasy use did not affect results.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationown data
The lack of a significant MDMA effect on POMS Friendliness may reflect the small sample, given the large effect size.
“However, the effect size of the main effect of drug was large (ήp2 > .23), thus the absence of a significant effect may be due to the sample size.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Premisecitation
Oxytocin administration lowers amygdala activation in response to threatening social stimuli.
“OT administration also reduces amygdala activation in response to threatening social stimuli (Kirsch et al. 2005)”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Kirsch et al. 2005 source
Not checked in the free run.
- Premisecitation
In healthy people, threat-related social signals such as fearful and angry faces increase amygdala activity.
“In normal individuals, exposure to threat-related social signals such as fearful and angry facial expressions increases amygdala activity (Whalen et al. 1998; Zald, 2003); this effect is heightened in individuals with social anxiety (Phan et al. 2006).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked - Premisecitation
The amygdala is especially important in socioemotional processing, particularly for threat-related social information.
“show the amygdala to be particularly important in socioemotional processing, especially processing of threat-related social information (Whalen et al. 1998; Zald 2003).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked - Premisecitation
Amygdala response to threat-related social signals is greater in people with social anxiety.
“this effect is heightened in individuals with social anxiety (Phan et al. 2006).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Phan et al. 2006 source
Not checked in the free run.
- Interpretationreasoning
A global activation decrease would not explain the increased VS response to happy versus neutral faces on MDMA.
“However, a global decrease in activation would not give rise to the present finding of increased VS activation to happy versus neutral faces on MDMA.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Premisecitation
MDMA increases rats' tendency to lie adjacent to one another, which is thought to indicate sociability.
“Notably, MDMA increases rats’ tendency to lie adjacent to each other, which is thought to indicate sociability (Morley et al. 2005; Thompson et al. 2007).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked - Premisecitation
In rats, moderate MDMA doses increase social interaction.
“In rats, moderate MDMA doses increase social interaction (Morley et al. 2005; Thompson et al. 2007).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked - Interpretationcitation
Enhanced processing of social reward would lead to greater sociability.
“supporting the hypothesis that enhanced social reward processing would also lead to heightened sociability.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Skuse and Gallagher, 2008 source
Not checked in the free run.
- Premisecitation
People with Williams-Beuren syndrome, marked by hypersociability, show reduced amygdala responses to social threat.
“patients with Williams-Beuren syndrome, characterized by hypersociability, demonstrate attenuated amygdala responses to social threat (Meyer-Lindenberg et al. 2005).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Meyer-Lindenberg et al. 2005 source
Not checked in the free run.
- Interpretationcitation
A dampened neural response to social threat leads to greater sociability.
“Together, these previous findings suggest that dampened neural response to social threat leads to greater sociability.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked - Interpretationown data
The observed V1 and M1 decreases with MDMA indicate caution about generalized activation decreases.
“We observed decreased activation with MDMA in both primary visual and motor cortex during a simple motorvisual task, also indicating a need for caution due to the possibility of generalized activation decreases arising from MDMA.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
MDMA's effects on serotonergic signaling likely contribute to alterations in social processing and behavior.
“It is also likely that MDMA’s well-described effects on serotonergic (5-HT) signaling play a role in alterations to social processing and behavior.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Premisecitation
Preclinical findings suggest serotonin depletion may persist up to two weeks after single or repeated oral doses.
“preclinical findings suggest that in non-human primates serotonin depletion may persist for up to two weeks after single doses (Ricaurte et al. 1988) or repeated oral doses (Mechan et al. 2005).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked - Interpretationown data
The study provides the first evidence that MDMA's unusual subjective profile may be related to altered neural processing of social threat and reward signals.
“Such limitations notwithstanding, these data provide the first evidence that the unusual subjective profile of MDMA may be related to alterations in neural processing of social signals of threat and reward.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Rests on an assumption: Apart from MDMA, no drug has been reported to raise subjective sociability while both lowering threat responses and raising reward responses.
- Interpretationown data
There was an apparent dissociation between self-report and VS recruitment in response to happy facial expressions.
“Of note, however, was the apparent dissociation between self-report and VS recruitment in response to happy facial expressions.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationown data
MDMA's effects were dose-dependent on some, but not all, measures.
“The effects of MDMA were dose-dependent on some, but not all, measures.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationown data
MDMA's apparently specific effects relate to altered social threat and reward processing.
“Although these findings suggest that MDMA’s apparently specific effects relate to altered social threat and reward processing”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
- May combine two claims. 19
- Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 10
May combine two claims.
Findingown dataMDMA did not alter accuracy or reaction time on the emotion recognition task.
“MDMA did not affect accuracy of Emotion Recognition or reaction time, and there was no interactive effect of drug by emotion on accuracy or reaction time.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataThe 1.5 mg/kg dose also raised ventral striatum response to happy versus neutral faces relative to placebo in extracted BOLD signal, although the whole-brain trend did not survive small volume correction.
“While not reaching significance, there was also a trend for VS activation to happy versus neutral faces to be greater on MDMA (1.5mg/kg) than PBO (t(8) = 2.72, p < .05); this trend did not survive SVC.”
- Also stated in: § RESULTS · plain
“Analyses of BOLD signal responses extracted from spheres about peak activation for VS happy versus neutral faces also indicated an overall drug effect (F(2,16) = 8.41, p < .005), with VS activation (happy versus neutral faces) greater in both MDMA conditions than PBO (0.75mg/kg: t(8) = 5.51, p < .005; 1.5mg/kg: t(8) = 2.44, p < .05; Figure 4).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim- Also stated in: § RESULTS · plain
May combine two claims.
Findingown dataAt the lower dose, MDMA enhanced neural response to happy faces without changing subjective sociability ratings.
“At the lower dose, MDMA enhanced neural response to happy faces without changing subjective sociability ratings.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Study design and conductnone givenSubjective effects support the timing of the imaging protocol.
“Subjective effects support the timing of the imaging protocol.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
Study design and conductown dataThe fMRI protocol was designed to coincide with peak drug effects, but blood plasma measurements were not obtained to confirm that imaging coincided with peak plasma MDMA levels.
“Finally, although the fMRI protocol was designed to coincide with peak drug effects, we did not obtain blood plasma measurements ensuring that imaging data collection coincided with peak plasma MDMA levels.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
PremisecitationTHC reduces amygdala response to social threat signals, which may explain its anxiolytic effects.
“Administration of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinoid (THC), the main psychoactive constituent of cannabis, reduces amygdala response to social signals of threat, an action that may underlie anxiolytic effects of THC (Phan et al. 2008).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Phan et al. 2008 source
Not checked in the free run.
May combine two claims.
Interpretationown dataThe partial randomization protocol and the time between sessions did not affect outcomes.
“suggesting that the partial randomization protocol and length of time between sessions did not affect outcomes.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Interpretationown dataMDMA may increase human sociability both by reducing responses to threatening stimuli and by enhancing responses to rewarding social signals.
“These data present the first evidence that MDMA may increase sociability in humans both by diminishing responses to threatening stimuli and enhancing responses to rewarding social signals.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
Study design and conductown dataThe sample was small, and the findings need replication in a larger sample.
“The sample was small; these findings require replication in a larger sample.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
Study design and conductreasoningMDMA doses were administered in ascending order, which may have influenced outcomes.
“For safety reasons, MDMA doses were administered in ascending order, which may have influenced outcomes.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
Study design and conductreasoningBecause of the sample size, analyses were limited to two a priori brain regions; larger samples would allow detailed whole-brain examination.
“Due to the sample size, we restricted analyses to two a priori identified brain region; larger samples would facilitate detailed examination of whole brain.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
PremisecitationPositive social stimuli act as natural rewards, and in humans positive social signs such as smiling faces activate reward circuitry.
“Positive social stimuli act as a natural reward; rodents demonstrate conditioned preferences for places previously paired with a social partner (Douglas et al. 2004; Thiele et al. 2008), and in humans, positive social signs such as smiling faces activate reward circuitry (Tsukiura and Cabeza 2008).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checkedMay combine two claims.
Interpretationown dataMDMA changes processing of emotionally salient social information in at least two ways: by lowering threat responses and by raising reward responses.
“These findings suggest that MDMA alters processing of emotionally salient social information in at least two ways, by reducing responses to threat and by enhancing responses to reward.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
PremisecitationThe ventral striatum is central to reward processing and responds to rewarding stimuli including drugs of abuse.
“The ventral striatum (VS) is central to reward processing (Knutson and Cooper 2005), and is activated by a range of rewarding stimuli including drugs of abuse (Gilman et al. 2008).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checkedMay combine two claims.
PremisecitationMDMA's acute pharmacodynamic actions include carrier-mediated release of 5-HT from presynaptic vesicles and monoamine oxidase inhibition, causing rapid rises in extracellular 5-HT.
“MDMA’s acute pharmacodynamic actions include carrier-mediated release of 5-HT from presynaptic vesicles and monoamine oxidase inhibition, resulting in sudden increases in extracellular 5-HT levels (for review, see Green et al. 2003).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Green et al. 2003 source
Not checked in the free run.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Study design and conductcitationA longer interval between sessions may have been needed to ensure no carry-over effects.
“Thus, it is possible that a longer period between sessions was required to ensure the absence of carry-over effects.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checkedMay combine two claims.
Study design and conductcitationMDMA may affect cerebral blood flow, which could confound BOLD signal, and this possibility cannot be ruled out.
“Further, MDMA may have actions on cerebral blood flow that affected either global or regionally-specific BOLD signal.”
- Also stated in: § DISCUSSION · hedged
“potentially confounding acute effects of MDMA on cerebrovasculature cannot be ruled out.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Gamma et al. 2000 source
Not checked in the free run.
- Also stated in: § DISCUSSION · hedged
May combine two claims.
PremisecitationSelective 5-HT manipulations alter identification and neural processing of emotional faces, as well as affiliative behavior.
“Selective 5-HT manipulations alter identification (Del-Ben et al., 2008) and neural processing of emotional faces (Harmer et al. 2006), as well as affiliative behavior (Tse and Bond, 2002).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checkedClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
Premisecitation5-HT neurotransmission is implicated in social processing and behavior.
“A substantial body of literature implicates 5-HT neurotransmission in social processing and behavior (e.g. Del-Ben et al. 2008; Young and Leyton, 2002).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Del-Ben et al. 2008
Not checked in the free run.
- cites Young and Leyton, 2002 source
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May combine two claims.
PremisecitationThese rodent behavioral changes involve oxytocin release, and oxytocin receptor antagonism reduces MDMA's prosocial effects.
“These behavioral changes involve release of oxytocin (OT), a neuropeptide implicated in attachment and pair bonding, with OT receptor antagonism attenuating MDMA’s prosocial effects in rodents (Thompson et al. 2007).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Thompson et al. 2007 source
Not checked in the free run.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).
Study design and conductreasoningThe present findings should be regarded as preliminary.
“The present findings should be regarded as preliminary; there are a number of limitations remaining to be addressed.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
InterpretationcitationThis variability may have affected results, as heavy ecstasy use may cause long-term alterations to serotonergic neurotransmission.
“This may have affected results, as it is possible that heavy ecstasy use causes long-term alterations to serotonergic neurotransmission (McCann et al. 2000; see also Bedi et al., 2008 for discussion of methodological issues).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checkedProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
InterpretationcitationBecause serotonin is involved in vasoconstriction, prior or recent MDMA exposure might have affected BOLD responses.
“Moreover, due to involvement of serotonin in vasoconstriction (Cohen et al. 1996), it is possible that prior or recent MDMA exposure might have affected BOLD responses.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Cohen et al. 1996 source
Not checked in the free run.
May combine two claims.
Interpretationown dataBrain responses to social stimuli may be more sensitive indicators of prosocial effects than subjective ratings, and higher doses may be needed for people to report feeling more sociable.
“It is possible that brain responses to social stimuli are more sensitive indicators of prosocial effects, and that higher doses may be needed for individuals to report feeling more sociable.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
The paper relies on this without support.
The nature and neural basis of MDMA's interpersonal effects remain poorly characterized.
“Despite their apparent importance in recreational and potential psychotherapeutic use of MDMA, the defining characteristics and neurobiological mechanisms of these interpersonal effects are poorly understood.”
“Despite generating widespread interest, the purported empathogenic effects of MDMA are poorly understood.”
The paper relies on this without support.
How drugs of abuse generally affect processing of salient material is not well understood.
“effects of drugs of abuse in general on processing of salient material are poorly understood.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Apart from MDMA, no drug has been reported to raise subjective sociability while both lowering threat responses and raising reward responses.
“To our knowledge, no other drug has been found to increase subjective sociability while both attenuating responses to social threat and increasing social reward responding.”
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
MDMA appears to modulate fear responses by reducing activity in the amygdala, decreasing reactions to socially threatening stimuli while enhancing responses to socially rewarding signals.
“MDMA also appears to modulate fear responses by reducing activity in the amygdala, decreasing reactions to socially threatening stimuli while enhancing responses to socially rewarding signals - an effect that may influence emotional memory processing (89).”
From Psychoanalytically informed MDMA-assisted therapy for pathological narcissism: a novel theoretical approach (2025) · cites this paper as [89]
The Results (page not supplied) report reduced amygdala activation to angry faces and increased ventral-striatum activation to happy faces, supporting the social-threat and reward components. The claim is broader than the finding: MDMA did not reduce amygdala reactivity to fearful faces, and the study did not establish a general reduction in fear responses. (LLM, conf=0.86)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredMDMA improves psychological flexibility, reduces fear of negative evaluation, and enhances self-reflection.
“MDMA has been shown to improve psychological flexibility, reduce fear of negative evaluation, and enhance self-reflection (89, 134–136).”
From Psychoanalytically informed MDMA-assisted therapy for pathological narcissism: a novel theoretical approach (2025) · cites this paper as [89]
The Discussion reports increased self-rated sociability and reduced neural responses to threatening social stimuli after MDMA, which lends limited support to the claim about reduced social fear. It does not establish reduced fear of negative evaluation as a reported experience, and neither psychological flexibility nor self-reflection was measured. The Introduction describes psychological openness as an argument made by advocates, not a demonstrated finding of this study. (LLM, conf=0.85)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredMDMA's ability to reduce perception of social threat may be particularly beneficial for patients with PN.
“For patients with PN, who are prone to interpersonal defensiveness and hypersensitivity to social rejection, MDMA’s ability to reduce perception of social threat may be particularly beneficial (89).”
From Psychoanalytically informed MDMA-assisted therapy for pathological narcissism: a novel theoretical approach (2025) · cites this paper as [89]
The Results and Discussion (page unavailable) report that MDMA reduced amygdala responses to angry faces and dampened neural responses to social threat. They do not establish reduced conscious perception of threat: the Results report no change in emotion-recognition accuracy. The study involved healthy volunteers, not patients with PN, so a particular benefit for those patients remains an inference. (LLM, conf=0.86)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe authors' earlier imaging work found MDMA changed brain responses to social cues, yet it left behavioral accuracy for recognizing facial emotions unchanged.
“Using fMRI, we recently reported effects of MDMA on neural processing of social material [12], but in that study the drug did not alter the behavioral response to the stimuli (i.e. accuracy of identification of emotions from pictures of facial effect).”
From Is Ecstasy an “Empathogen”? Effects of +/- 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine on Prosocial Feelings and Identification of Emotional States in Others (2010) · cites this paper as [12]
Reduced recognition of negative emotions, especially threat cues like fear, could promote approaching others socially.
“A decreased ability to identify negative emotions, particularly threat-related signals such as fear, may facilitate social approach behavior [12, 35].”
From Is Ecstasy an “Empathogen”? Effects of +/- 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine on Prosocial Feelings and Identification of Emotional States in Others (2010) · cites this paper as [12]
MDMA enhances the extinction of fear memories in mice through increased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the amygdala.
“MDMA enhances the extinction of fear memories in mice through increased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the amygdala”
From MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study (2021) · cites this paper as [25]
The acute prosocial and interpersonal effects of MDMA may support the quality of the therapeutic alliance, a potentially important factor relating to PTSD treatment adherence and outcome.
“Additionally, the acute prosocial and interpersonal effects of MDMA25,29 may support the quality of the therapeutic alliance, a potentially important factor relating to PTSD treatment adherence30 and outcome31.”
From MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study (2021) · cites this paper as [25]
Human neuroimaging studies have demonstrated that MDMA is associated with attenuated amygdalar BOLD activity during presentation of negative emotional stimuli.
“human neuroimaging studies have demonstrated that MDMA is associated with attenuated amygdalar BOLD activity during presentation of negative emotional stimuli25.”
From MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study (2021) · cites this paper as [25]
Statistics recomputed
Every reported test result, recomputed from its test statistic and degrees of freedom. A result shows as not adding up only once an independent check has confirmed it.
- Not confirmedt(8) = 3.81reported p < .005 · recomputed p = .005
“t(8) = 3.81, p < .005”
- Not confirmedt(8) = 3.72reported p < .005 · recomputed p = .006
“t(8) = 3.72, p < .005”
- Not confirmedt(8) = 3.8reported p < .005 · recomputed p = .005
“t(8) = 3.80, p < .005”
- Not confirmedt(8) = 3.54reported p < .005 · recomputed p = .008
“t(8) = 3.54, p < .005”
- ConsistentF(2, 16) = 9.64reported p < .005 · recomputed p = .002
“F(2,16) = 9.64, p < .005”
- Consistentt(8) = 4.41reported p < .005 · recomputed p = .002
“t(8) = 4.41, p < .005”
- ConsistentF(2, 16) = 7.24reported p < .01 · recomputed p = .006
“F(2,16) = 7.24, p < .01”
- Consistentt(8) = 3.34reported p < .05 · recomputed p = .010
“t(8) = 3.34, p < .05”
- Consistentt(8) = 2.44reported p < .05 · recomputed p = .041
“t(8) = 2.44, p < .05”
- ConsistentF(2, 16) = 9.75reported p < .005 · recomputed p = .002
“F(2,16) = 9.75, p < .005”
- Consistentt(8) = 6.13reported p < .001 · recomputed p < .001
“t(8) = 6.13, p < .001”
- Consistentt(8) = 2.72reported p < .05 · recomputed p = .026
“t(8) = 2.72, p < .05”
- ConsistentF(2, 16) = 8.41reported p < .005 · recomputed p = .003
“F(2,16) = 8.41, p < .005”
- Consistentt(8) = 5.51reported p < .005 · recomputed p < .001
“t(8) = 5.51, p < .005”
- Consistentt(8) = 5.82reported p < .005 · recomputed p < .001
“t(8) = 5.82, p < .005”
- Consistentt(8) = 4.77reported p < .005 · recomputed p = .001
“t(8) = 4.77, p < .005”
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.
Abstract and results disagree on which MDMA dose changes sociability
MinorThe Abstract says the higher dose increased self-reported sociability compared to both the lower dose and placebo. Later results state that MDMA significantly increased VAS Sociability with a dose effect, but the specific simple main effect reported is that the higher dose increased ratings relative to the lower dose and only marginally relative to placebo, which is not the same claim as a confirmed increase over placebo.
“MDMA (1.5mg/kg) increased self-reported sociability compared to MDMA (0.75mg/kg) and PBO.”
“MDMA significantly increased VAS ratings of Sociability (interaction of drug versus time), with a very large effect size (ήp2 = .28). Simple main effects analyses of drug condition at individual time points revealed that MDMA (1.5mg/kg) increased ratings at 135 min relative to MDMA (0.75mg/kg), and marginally increased ratings compared to PBO (see Table 2; Figure 2).”
Abstract overstates the sociability comparison with placebo
MinorThe abstract presents the higher dose as increasing sociability relative to placebo, but the Results describe that comparison as only marginal. The reported increase relative to the lower dose does not resolve this discrepancy.
“MDMA (1.5mg/kg) increased self-reported sociability compared to MDMA (0.75mg/kg) and PBO.”
“MDMA (1.5mg/kg) increased ratings at 135 min relative to MDMA (0.75mg/kg), and marginally increased ratings compared to PBO”
Cites
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MDMA alters emotional processing and facilitates positive social interaction
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“This is consistent with previous research showing that MDMA enhances ventral striatal activity to happy expressions (Bedi et al. 2009).”
InfluentialMDMA-Assisted Therapy for Severe PTSD: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase 3 Study
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“MDMA also appears to modulate fear responses by reducing activity in the amygdala, decreasing reactions to socially threatening stimuli while enhancing responses to socially rewarding signals - an effect that may in fl uence emotional memory processing (89).”
InfluentialEvolving Psychotherapeutic Approaches for PTSD: Beyond the Fear-Based Model
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“68 Most of the emerging approaches captured in this review attempt to address current challenges and merit further research.”
- Authors
- Bedi, G., Phan, K. L., Angstadt, M., & de Wit, H.
- Affiliations
- University of Chicago (US)
- University of Michigan (US)
- Venue
- Psychopharmacology
- Published
- 2009-08-13
- Volume
- 207
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 73-83
- ISSN
- 0033-3158 (ISSN-L)
- 1432-2072
- PMC
- PMC3328967
- OpenAlex
- W2034818162
- Cited by
- 206
- References
- 55
- Citations by year
- 2026: 10 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 23 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 15 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 5.65
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Psychopharmacology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (DA 02812, R01DA002812)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychedelics and Drug Studies
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Face Recognition and Perception
- Keywords
- MDMA, ecstasy, sociability, social danger, social reward, amygdala, ventral striatum, emotional facial expressions, acute drug effects
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Analysis of Variance, Blood Pressure, Brain, Brain Mapping, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Double-Blind Method, Emotions, Hallucinogens, Heart Rate, Humans, Image Processing, Computer-Assisted, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Oxygen, Pain Measurement, Pattern Recognition, Visual, Photic Stimulation, Reward, Social Behavior, N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, Young Adult
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Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
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