Vasopressin and oxytocin secretion in response to the consumption of ecstasy in a clubbing population
Abstract
Despite the common use of MDMA (ecstasy) in the UK, the mechanism underlying associated potentially fatal cerebral oedema is unclear. We used a new experimental approach working directly with clubbers to perform a study on 30 (17 male) experienced clubbers (mean 6.6 years of clubbing). Pre and post-clubbing measurements were performed to compare plasma levels of pituitary hormones (vasopressin, oxytocin), plasma and urine osmolality, urinary pH, and plasma sodium and urea. Ecstasy consumption was con.rmed by using urinary drug screening preand post-clubbing. MDMA was detected in the urine samples of 17 subjects, three of which tested positive during pre-clubbing tests. Mean plasma vasopressin concentration increased in the MDMA group (1.28 ± 0.29 to 1.43 ± 0.41 pmol/l), but fell in other participants (1.23 ± 0.42 to 1.16 ± 0.0.34 pmol/l). Similarly, mean plasma oxytocin concentrations increased after ingestion of MDMA (2.02 ± 0.29 to 2.43 ± 0.24 pmol/l), but fell in the group that did not use MDMA (2.17 ± 0.36 pmol/l to 1.89 ± 0.37 pmol/l). There was a significant group by time interaction for plasma osmolality and plasma sodium ( p= 0.001 and p= 0.003, respectively) and between change in urinary osmolality ( p< 0.001) and MDMA use, with the pattern of change being consistent with the induction of inappropriate vasopressin secretion (also known as SIADH) by MDMA. This report demonstrates SIADH in ecstasy-using ‘clubbers’, which has important clinical implications.
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OT is released by MDMA and is associated with the prosocial effects of this drug in humans and rats.
“With respect to drugs of abuse, OT is best known for being released by 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy), and is associated with the prosocial effects of this drug in both humans and rats (Wolff et al 2006; Thompson et al 2007; Dumont et al 2009; Thompson et al 2009).”
From The behavioral, anatomical and pharmacological parallels between social attachment, love and addiction (2012) · cites this paper as Wolff et al 2006
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- Authors
- Wolff, K., Tsapakis, E. M., Winstock, A. R., Hartley, D., Holt, D., Forsling, M. L., & Aitchison, K. J.
- Affiliations
- King's College London (GB)
- MRC Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK
- National Addiction Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK
- Neuroendocrine Laboratory, GKT School of Medicine, Guys Campus, London, UK
- St George's, University of London (GB)
- Venue
- Journal of Psychopharmacology
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2006-05
- Volume
- 20
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 400-410
- ISSN
- 0269-8811 (ISSN-L)
- 1461-7285
- OpenAlex
- W2111105497
- Cited by
- 108
- References
- 47
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 11
- FWCI
- 7.37
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Psychopharmacology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- British Association for Psychopharmacology
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychedelics and Drug Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine › Electrolyte and hormonal disorders
- Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Toxicology › Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis
- Keywords
- MDMA, ecstasy, vasopressin, oxytocin, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, cerebral edema, clubbing, plasma osmolality, plasma sodium, urine osmolality, pituitary hormones, drug use
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Arginine Vasopressin, Arousal, Female, Homeostasis, Humans, Inappropriate ADH Syndrome, Male, Oxytocin, Radioimmunoassay, Social Environment, Social Facilitation, Illicit Drugs, Water-Electrolyte Balance, N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, Substance-Related Disorders
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