Subjective and hormonal effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in humans.
BACKGROUND
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a widely used phenethylamine. Reports have described the effects of MDMA in a controlled laboratory setting, but the full range of effects of MDMA in humans is still not completely characterized.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the physiological, subjective, and hormonal changes after single doses of MDMA in a laboratory setting and examine relationships between these effects.


METHODS
Eight MDMA-experienced volunteers each received placebo, 0.5 mg/kg, and 1.5 mg/kg oral doses of MDMA in a double-blind crossover study.


RESULTS
The 1.5 mg/kg dose (comparable to that typically used by most participants) produced significant subjective effects, peaking at about 2 h after dosing, including some effects commonly associated with stimulant drugs, hallucinogens, and entactogens. MDMA significantly increased plasma cortisol, prolactin, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels. Increase in plasma cortisol after the 1.5 mg/kg dose correlated with increased heart rate, rate-pressure product, and drug liking. Rise in DHEA correlated with euphoria.


CONCLUSIONS
A typically used dose of MDMA produced effects commonly associated with stimulants and hallucinogens. Subjects liked MDMA. Correlations between cortisol and DHEA levels and some physiological and psychological effects are consistent with animal data suggesting that hormones modulate some responses to drugs of abuse.
Harris
Debra S
DS
Drug Dependence Research Center, Langley Porter Psychiatric Institute, University of California, San Francisco, 401 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143-0984, USA.
Baggott
Matthew
M
Mendelson
Jack H
JH
Mendelson
John E
JE
Jones
Reese T
RT
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000097:blood; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D011594:Psychometrics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
D006213:Hallucinogens; D006728:Hormones; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D011388:Prolactin; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine; D006854:Hydrocortisone