title: A direct comparison of the behavioral and physiological effects of methamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in humans.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite their chemical similarities, methamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) produce differing neurochemical and behavioral responses in animals. In humans, individual studies of methamphetamine and MDMA indicate that the drugs engender overlapping and divergent effects; there are only limited data comparing the two drugs in the same individuals.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the effects of methamphetamine and MDMA using a within-subject design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven adult volunteers completed this 13-day residential laboratory study, which consisted of four 3-day blocks of sessions. On the first day of each block, participants received oral methamphetamine (20, 40 mg), MDMA (100 mg), or placebo. Drug plasma concentrations, cardiovascular, subjective, and cognitive/psychomotor performance effects were assessed before drug administration and after. Food intake and sleep were also assessed. On subsequent days of each block, placebo was administered and residual effects were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Acutely, both drugs increased cardiovascular measures and "positive" subjective effects and decreased food intake. In addition, when asked to identify each drug, participants had difficulty distinguishing between the amphetamines. The drugs also produced divergent effects: methamphetamine improved performance and disrupted sleep, while MDMA increased "negative" subjective-effect ratings. Few residual drug effects were noted for either drug.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is possible that the differences observed could explain the differential public perception and abuse potential associated with these amphetamines. Alternatively, the route of administration by which the drugs are used recreationally might account for the many of the effects attributed to these drugs (i.e., MDMA is primarily used orally, whereas methamphetamine is used by routes associated with higher abuse potential).
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Kirkpatrick
authors.forename: Erik W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Gunderson
authors.forename: Audrey Y
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haney
authors.forename: Richard W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Foltin
authors.forename: Carl L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Hart
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008694:Methamphetamine; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine