Comparison of acute effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) with and without a supplemental booster dose in healthy participants: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study

A booster dose of MDMA prolongs the acute subjective drug effects compared with a single dose, without increasing peak effects. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study with 23 healthy volunteers, a 120 mg dose of MDMA followed by a 60 mg booster after 2 hours extended the duration of subjective effects to an average of 5.6 hours, versus 4.6 hours with a single dose. Adverse effects were more common after both MDMA conditions than placebo. Whether the prolonged effect translates into clinical benefit for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy remains unknown.

Study at a glance

Abstract

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy (MDMA-AT) is being investigated as a treatment for several psychiatric disorders, particularly posttraumatic stress disorder. Phase 2 and 3 trials typically administered a first dose of MDMA followed by a second "booster" dose 1.5-2.5 h later, to extend the acute effect duration. However, the risks and benefits of the booster dose have not been systematically investigated. In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over study, we compared 120 mg MDMA followed by a 60 mg booster dose or placebo after 2 h, and placebo followed by placebo. The primary outcome was the overall duration of any subjective drug effects, measured by a Visual Analog Scale. Secondary outcomes included additional subjective effects, adverse effects, vital signs, and plasma concentrations of MDMA, oxytocin, and neurophysin I. Twenty-five healthy volunteers were included, and twenty-three (12 male, 11 female) completed all dosing sessions. The booster dose of MDMA prolonged the acute subjective effects of MDMA compared with the single dose (mean ± SD, 5.6 ± 1.8 h vs. 4.6 ± 1.2 h, p = 0.001), while no differences in subjective or autonomic peak effects were observed. Acute (0-9 h) and subacute (up to 3 days) adverse effects were more common after both MDMA conditions than placebo. These results indicate that acute MDMA effects can be prolonged by using a booster dose, as intended in clinical trials of MDMA-AT. Whether this translates into clinical benefit remains to be investigated.