title: Effects of methylphenidate and MDMA on appraisal of erotic stimuli and intimate relationships.
abstract: Methylphenidate mainly enhances dopamine neurotransmission whereas 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy") mainly enhances serotonin neurotransmission. However, both drugs also induce a weaker increase of cerebral noradrenaline exerting sympathomimetic properties. Dopaminergic psychostimulants are reported to increase sexual drive, while serotonergic drugs typically impair sexual arousal and functions. Additionally, serotonin has also been shown to modulate cognitive perception of romantic relationships. Whether methylphenidate or MDMA alter sexual arousal or cognitive appraisal of intimate relationships is not known. Thus, we evaluated effects of methylphenidate (40 mg) and MDMA (75 mg) on subjective sexual arousal by viewing erotic pictures and on perception of romantic relationships of unknown couples in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study in 30 healthy adults. Methylphenidate, but not MDMA, increased ratings of sexual arousal for explicit sexual stimuli. The participants also sought to increase the presentation time of implicit sexual stimuli by button press after methylphenidate treatment compared with placebo. Plasma levels of testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone were not associated with sexual arousal ratings. Neither MDMA nor methylphenidate altered appraisal of romantic relationships of others. The findings indicate that pharmacological stimulation of dopaminergic but not of serotonergic neurotransmission enhances sexual drive. Whether sexual perception is altered in subjects misusing methylphenidate e.g., for cognitive enhancement or as treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is of high interest and warrants further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Psychopharmacology Research, Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine and Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Yasmin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Schmid
authors.affiliation: Psychopharmacology Research, Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine and Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Cédric M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Hysek
authors.affiliation: Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Katrin H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Preller
authors.affiliation: Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Oliver G
authors.initials: OG
authors.lastname: Bosch
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Oxford University, London, UK.
authors.forename: Amy C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Bilderbeck
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Bangor University, London, UK.
authors.forename: Robert D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.affiliation: Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Boris B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Quednow
authors.affiliation: Psychopharmacology Research, Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine and Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland. Electronic address: matthias.liechti@usb.ch.
authors.forename: Matthias E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Liechti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007989:Libido / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D006213:Hallucinogens; D008774:Methylphenidate; D013739:Testosterone; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine
keywords: Couples appraisal; MDMA; Methylphenidate; Sexual arousal