Ecstasy (MDMA) mimics the post-orgasmic state: impairment of sexual drive and function during acute MDMA-effects may be due to increased prolactin secretion

Passie, Torsten; Hartmann, Uwe; Schneider, Udo; Emrich, Hinderk M.; Krüger, Tillmann H.C.

doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2004.11.044

Cited by 71Psychedelics and Drug StudiesSexual function and dysfunction studiesNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior

Ecstasy (MDMA) mimics the post-orgasmic state: impairment of sexual drive and function during acute MDMA-effects may be due to increased prolactin secretion

Passie, Torsten, Hartmann, Uwe, Schneider, Udo, Emrich, Hinderk M., Krüger, Tillmann H.C.·2005·Medical Hypotheses

DOI 10.1016/j.mehy.2004.11.044

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Abstract

Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or "Ecstasy") is a major stimulant drug of abuse worldwide. MDMA produces euphoria, enhances interpersonal communication and feelings of closeness with others. In contrast to the induced emotions of affection and sensual enhancement, clinical studies show that it impairs sexual drive and functioning. In drug-free humans, sexual stimulation with orgasm induces a pronounced secretion of prolactin, which may mediate the post-orgasmic state. The phenomenological features of the psychological state induced by MDMA show some similarities with features of the post-orgasmic state. In addition, MDMA also induces a prominent increase of prolactin plasma levels with a similar time kinetic compared to the post-orgasmic prolactin increase. Here, we present the hypothesis that the impairment of sexual parameters after MDMA may be mediated by increased prolactin.

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MDMA stimulates hormonal responses related to oxytocin, vasopressin, prolactin, and cortisol, all of which have profound impacts on social behavior.
“This may be due, at least in part, to its stimulation of hormonal responses related to oxytocin, vasopressin, prolactin, and cortisol (23–25), all of which have profound impacts on social behavior.”
From MDMA-Assisted Therapy as a Means to Alter Affective, Cognitive, Behavioral, and Neurological Systems Underlying Social Dysfunction in Social Anxiety Disorder (2021) · cites this paper as [23]

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Copyright Page
Passie, T. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780198867364.002.0003
The Research of Alexander T. Shulgin
Passie, T. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780198867364.003.0005
Recent Developments
Passie, T. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780198867364.003.0013
Pioneers and Studies
Passie, T. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780198867364.003.0009
MDMA and the Military
Passie, T. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780198867364.003.0003
The Popularization
Passie, T. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780198867364.003.0007
The British Rave Boom
Passie, T. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780198867364.003.0011 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
The Early History of MDMA
Passie, T. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780198867364.003.0002
Preface
Passie, T. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780198867364.002.0005
History of the Names of MDMA
Passie, T. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780198867364.005.0001
Abbreviations
Passie, T. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780198867364.002.0008
Introduction
Passie, T. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780198867364.003.0001
Epigraph
Passie, T. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780198867364.002.0004
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Authors: Passie, T., Hartmann, U., Schneider, U., Emrich, H. M., & Krüger, T. H. C.
Affiliations: Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (DE)
ETH Zurich (CH)
Corresponding author: Passie, Torsten
ORCID: Passie, Torsten
Hartmann, Uwe
Krüger, Tillmann H.C.
Venue: Medical Hypotheses
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2005-01
Volume: 64
Issue: 5
Pages: 899-903
ISSN: 0306-9877 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2004.11.044
OpenAlex: W2125869037
Cited by: 71
References: 36
Citations by year: 2026: 3 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 3 · 2017: 3 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 3
FWCI: 3.47
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations: Medical Hypotheses (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychedelics and Drug Studies
Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Sexual function and dysfunction studies
Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
Keywords: MDMA, ecstasy, prolactin secretion, sexual drive, sexual dysfunction, orgasm, stimulants, plasma prolactin
MeSH terms: Orgasm, Prolactin, N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, Sexuality

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Ecstasy (MDMA) mimics the post-orgasmic state: impairment of sexual drive and function during acute MDMA-effects may be due to increased prolactin secretion

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