OPEN Foundation

G. Domes

MDMA enhances emotional empathy and prosocial behavior

Abstract

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ‘ecstasy’) releases serotonin and norepinephrine. MDMA is reported to produce empathogenic and prosocial feelings. It is unknown whether MDMA in fact alters empathic concern and prosocial behavior. We investigated the acute effects of MDMA using the Multifaceted Empathy Test (MET), dynamic Face Emotion Recognition Task (FERT) and Social Value Orientation (SVO) test. We also assessed effects of MDMA on plasma levels of hormones involved in social behavior using a placebo-controlled, double-blind, random-order, cross-over design in 32 healthy volunteers (16 women). MDMA enhanced explicit and implicit emotional empathy in the MET and increased prosocial behavior in the SVO test in men. MDMA did not alter cognitive empathy in the MET but impaired the identification of negative emotions, including fearful, angry and sad faces, in the FERT, particularly in women. MDMA increased plasma levels of cortisol and prolactin, which are markers of serotonergic and noradrenergic activity, and of oxytocin, which has been associated with prosocial behavior. In summary, MDMA sex-specifically altered the recognition of emotions, emotional empathy and prosociality. These effects likely enhance sociability when MDMA is used recreationally and may be useful when MDMA is administered in conjunction with psychotherapy in patients with social dysfunction or post-traumatic stress disorder.

Hysek, C. M., Schmid, Y., Simmler, L. D., Domes, G., Heinrichs, M., Eisenegger, C., … Liechti, M. E. (2013). MDMA enhances emotional empathy and prosocial behavior. Social Cognitive & Affective Neuroscience, 9(11), 1645-1652. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/scan/nst161
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Effects of peritraumatic ketamine medication on early and sustained posttraumatic stress symptoms in moderately injured accident victims

Abstract

Rationale: Ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, produces transient dissociative and psychotic states in healthy humans that resemble symp- toms shown by subjects with acute and chronic posttrau- matic stress disorder (PTSD). Since ketamine is widely used as an analgesic and sedative in emergency care, it might be one factor triggering, modulating, or exacerbat- ing PTSD in accident victims when given in the acute trauma phase. Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the peritraumatic administration of ketamine affects acute and sustained PTSD symptoms in accident victims. Methods: A sample of 56 moderate- ly injured accident victims was screened retrospectively for acute (Peritraumatic Dissociative Experiences Ques- tionnaire; Acute Stress Disorder Scale) and for current PTSD symptoms (Impact of Event Scale) approximately 1 year postaccident. All subjects had received a single or fractionated dose of either racemic ketamine (n=17), (S)- ketamine (n=12), or opioids (n=27) during emergency am- bulance transportation. Results: Retrospectively assessed acute symptomatology was strongly increased in (S)-keta- mine subjects in terms of dissociation, reexperiencing, and avoidance, and slightly heightened in racemic ketamines. Current PTSDsymptoms were substantially elevated in (S)- ketamine subjects, while there was no difference observed between opioids and racemic ketamines. Medication groups did not differ in regard to demographic variables, previous or postaccidental traumatic events, time between accident and investigation, and injury severity. Conclusions: The data provide first evidence for a modulating effect of a single-dose ketamine on the severity and duration of post- traumatic stress symptoms in accident victims.

Schönenberg, M., Reichwald, U., Domes, G., Badke, A., & Hautzinger, M. (2005). Effects of peritraumatic ketamine medication on early and sustained posttraumatic stress symptoms in moderately injured accident victims. Psychopharmacology, 182(3), 420-425. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00213-005-0094-4
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2 April - New Insights on Addiction & Psychedelic Healing Followed by a Live Q&A!

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