Cited by 144Psychedelics and Drug StudiesNeuroendocrine regulation and behaviorNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior

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MDMA enhances “mind reading” of positive emotions and impairs “mind reading” of negative emotions

Hysek, Cédric M., Domes, Gregor, Liechti, Matthias E.·2012·Psychopharmacology

DOI 10.1007/s00213-012-2645-9

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Abstract

Rationale 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) increases sociability. The prosocial effects of MDMA may result from the release of the "social hormone" oxytocin and associated alterations in the processing of socioemotional stimuli.Materials and methods We investigated the effects of MDMA (125 mg) on the ability to infer the mental states of others from social cues of the eye region in the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test. The study included 48 healthy volunteers (24 men, 24 women) and used a double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subjects design. A choice reaction time test was used to exclude impairments in psychomotor function. We also measured circulating oxytocin and cortisol levels and subjective drug effects.Results MDMA differentially affected mind reading depending on the emotional valence of the stimuli. MDMA enhanced the accuracy of mental state decoding for positive stimuli (e.g., friendly), impaired mind reading for negative stimuli (e.g., hostile), and had no effect on mind reading for neutral stimuli (e.g., reflective). MDMA did not affect psychomotor performance, increased circulating oxytocin and cortisol levels, and produced subjective prosocial effects, including feelings of being more open, talkative, and closer to others.Conclusions The shift in the ability to correctly read socioemotional information toward stimuli associated with positive emotional valence, together with the prosocial feelings elicited by MDMA, may enhance social approach behavior and sociability when MDMA is used recreationally and facilitate therapeutic relationships in MDMA-assisted psychotherapeutic settings.

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Authors: Hysek, C. M., Domes, G., & Liechti, M. E.
Affiliations: University of Basel (CH)
University of Freiburg (DE)
Corresponding author: Liechti, Matthias E.
ORCID: Domes, Gregor
Liechti, Matthias E.
Venue: Psychopharmacology
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published: 2012-01-27
Volume: 222
Issue: 2
Pages: 293-302
ISSN: 0033-3158 (ISSN-L)
1432-2072
DOI: 10.1007/s00213-012-2645-9
OpenAlex: W2000881947
Cited by: 144
References: 54
Citations by year: 2026: 4 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 16 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 4
FWCI: 17.42
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations: Psychopharmacology (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
FreiDok plus (Universitätsbibliothek Freiburg) (submittedVersion)
Funders: Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychedelics and Drug Studies
Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
Keywords: MDMA, ecstasy, theory of mind, emotion recognition, positive emotions, negative emotions, emotional valence, oxytocin, cortisol, prosocial behavior, sociability, Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test, MDMA-assisted psychotherapy
MeSH terms: Adolescent, Adult, Double-Blind Method, Emotions, Empathy, Eye, Facial Expression, Female, Hallucinogens, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Male, Oxytocin, Prospective Studies, Psychomotor Performance, Reaction Time, N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, Young Adult

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MDMA enhances “mind reading” of positive emotions and impairs “mind reading” of negative emotions

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