Psychopathological, neuroendocrine and autonomic effects of 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDE), psilocybin and d -methamphetamine in healthy volunteers
Euphrosyne Gouzoulis‐mayfrank, B. Thelen, Elmar Habermeyer, H.j. Kunert, K.‐a. Kovar, Hiltrud Lindenblatt, Leo Hermle, Manfred Spitzer, Henning Saß
Psychopharmacology February 18, 1999 DOI: 10.1007/s002130050860 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA double-blind study with 32 healthy volunteers compared the effects of the entactogen MDE (a drug similar to ecstasy), the hallucinogen psilocybin, the stimulant d-methamphetamine, and a placebo. MDE produced pleasant emotional experiences such as relaxation, peacefulness, contentment, and closeness to others, along with stimulant and mild hallucinogen-like effects. It caused the strongest endocrine and autonomic responses among the three drugs, including rises in cortisol, prolactin, blood pressure, heart rate, and a moderate increase in body temperature. The contrast between subjective relaxation and physical activation was unique to MDE. Results support entactogens as a distinct class between hallucinogens and stimulants.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Double-blind Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 32 |
| Population | Healthy volunteers |
| Interventions | 3 4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDE) psilocybin d-methamphetamine placebo |
| Dose | common recreational doses |
| Topics | MDMA Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Psychology Hallucinogen |
| Citations | 145 |
| Key finding | MDE produced pleasant emotional experiences and strong autonomic effects, supporting entactogens as a distinct psychoactive class between hallucinogens and stimulants. |
Abstract
The aim of this study was to contribute to the characterization of the entactogen (ecstasy) substance group. The psychopathological, neuroendocrine and autonomic effects of common recreational doses of the entactogen 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDE), the hallucinogen psilocybin, the stimulant d-methamphetamine and placebo were investigated in a double-blind study with healthy volunteers (n = 32). Psychological effects of the drugs were assessed by means of standardized rating scales, self assessment inventories and free descriptions. The most characteristic effects of MDE were pleasant emotional experiences of relaxation, peacefulness, content and closeness to others. However, significant stimulant and hallucinogen-like effects were also present, although the latter were weaker than the effects of psilocybin. MDE elicited the strongest endocrine and autonomic effects among the three drugs, including robust rises of serum cortisol and prolactin, elevations of blood pressure and heart rate, and a moderate, but significant rise of body temperature. The apparent contrast between psychological and autonomic effects (subjective relaxation versus physical activation) was a unique feature of the MDE state. Our findings are in line with both users' reports and results from previous experimental studies, and support the view that entactogens constitute a distinct psychoactive substance class taking an intermediate position between hallucinogens and stimulants.