No Evidence that MDMA-Induced Enhancement of Emotional Empathy Is Related to Peripheral Oxytocin Levels or 5-HT1a Receptor Activation
Kim P. C. Kuypers, Rafael de la Torre, Magı́ Farré, Samanta Yubero‐lahoz, Isabel Dziobek, Wouter van den Bos, Johannes G. Ramaekers
PLoS ONE June 27, 2014 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0100719 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA single 75 mg dose of MDMA selectively enhances emotional empathy—the ability to share and understand others' feelings—without affecting cognitive empathy (understanding others' mental states), trust, or reciprocity in social interactions. This effect was not altered by adding pindolol, a drug that blocks the 5-HT1A serotonin receptor. Oxytocin nasal spray, a hormone often linked to social bonding, had no effect on any empathy or social interaction measure. Changes in emotional empathy were unrelated to oxytocin levels in the blood. The findings suggest that MDMA's empathy-enhancing effects do not depend on peripheral oxytocin and may instead involve other receptors such as serotonin 2A or vasopressin 1A.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Placebo-controlled Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 20 |
| Population | Healthy poly-drug MDMA users aged 18-26 years |
| Interventions | MDMA pindolol oxytocin nasal spray |
| Dose | 75 mg MDMA, 20 mg pindolol, 40 IU+16 IU oxytocin nasal spray |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Empathy Pindolol Oxytocin receptor Placebo |
| Citations | 88 |
| Key finding | MDMA (75 mg) selectively enhances emotional empathy without affecting cognitive empathy, trust, or reciprocity, and this effect is not mediated by peripheral oxytocin or the 5-HT1A receptor. |
Abstract
The present study aimed at investigating the effect of MDMA on measures of empathy and social interaction, and the roles of oxytocin and the 5-HT1A receptor in these effects. The design was placebo-controlled within-subject with 4 treatment conditions: MDMA (75 mg), with or without pindolol (20 mg), oxytocin nasal spray (40 IU+16 IU) or placebo. Participants were 20 healthy poly-drug MDMA users, aged between 18-26 years. Cognitive and emotional empathy were assessed by means of the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test and the Multifaceted Empathy Test. Social interaction, defined as trust and reciprocity, was assessed by means of a Trust Game and a Social Ball Tossing Game. Results showed that MDMA selectively affected emotional empathy and left cognitive empathy, trust and reciprocity unaffected. When combined with pindolol, these effects remained unchanged. Oxytocin did not affect measures of empathy and social interaction. Changes in emotional empathy were not related to oxytocin plasma levels. It was concluded that MDMA (75 mg) selectively enhances emotional empathy in humans. While the underlying neurobiological mechanism is still unknown, it is suggested that peripheral oxytocin does not seem to be the main actor in this; potential candidates are the serotonin 2A and the vasopressin 1A receptors. Trial registration: MDMA & PSB NTR 2636.