Acute psychomotor, memory and subjective effects of MDMA and THC co-administration over time in healthy volunteers
Gjh Dumont, J. G. Coen van Hasselt, M. de Kam, Jma van Gerven, Daan J. Touw, Jk Buitelaar, Rj Verkes
Journal of Psychopharmacology September 3, 2010 DOI: 10.1177/0269881110376687 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractCombining MDMA and THC does not worsen cognitive impairment beyond that caused by THC alone, but it does increase the desired subjective drug effects and perceived drug strength, which may explain why many young people use them together. In a placebo-controlled crossover trial with 16 healthy volunteers aged 18–27, THC alone produced more robust cognitive impairment than MDMA alone, and co-administration did not exacerbate single-drug effects on cognitive function. However, the combination enhanced subjective experiences compared with MDMA alone.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Placebo-controlled Double-blind Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 16 |
| Population | Healthy volunteers aged 18–27 |
| Interventions | MDMA THC |
| Dose | 100 mg MDMA orally; 4, 6, and 6 mg THC vaporized (interval of 90 min) |
| Topics | Cannabis MDMA |
| Keywords | Psychomotor learning Crossover study Placebo |
| Citations | 38 |
| Key finding | Co-administration of MDMA and THC did not worsen cognitive impairment beyond THC alone but increased desired subjective drug effects and drug strength compared with MDMA alone. |
Abstract
In Western societies a considerable percentage of young people expose themselves to the combination of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ‘ecstasy’) and cannabis. The aim of the present study was to assess the acute effects of co-administration of MDMA and THC (the main psychoactive compound of cannabis) on pharmacokinetics, psychomotor performance, memory and subjective experience over time. We performed a four-way, double blind, randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled study in 16 healthy volunteers (12 male, four female) between the ages of 18 and 27. MDMA (100 mg) was given orally, THC (4, 6, and 6 mg, interval of 90 min) was vaporized and inhaled. THC induced more robust cognitive impairment compared with MDMA, and co-administration did not exacerbate single drug effects on cognitive function. However, co-administration of THC with MDMA increased desired subjective drug effects and drug strength compared with the MDMA condition, which may explain the widespread use of this combination.