Human pharmacology of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ("ecstasy"): Psychomotor performance and subjective effects

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy") is a recreational drug of increasing use among youth because of its apparent entactogenic properti es, such as euphoria, friendliness, closeness, and empathy. However, experi mental studies have shown MDMA to be neurotoxic. Data on pharmacologic acti ons of MDMA in humans are limited. The authors conducted a randomized, doub le-blind, crossover, controlled trial to assess psychomotor performance and subjective effects in eight healthy male volunteers. MDMA was given in the same range of doses used for recreational purposes (75 and 125 mg), Amphet amine (40 mg) and placebo were used as reference compounds. For the digit-s ymbol substitution test (DSST), MDMA-125 produced a mild decrease in respon ses, and amphetamine produced a mild improvement. For the Maddox wing devic e, MDMA-125 induced esophoria compared with the other drug conditions. MDMA -125 and MDMA-75 produced increases in feelings of euphoria and well-being, as noted by increases in scores on the Addiction Research Center Inventory (ARCI) MBG and A scales, as well as scores of "stimulated," "good effects, " "liking," and "high" on the visual analog scales, Amphetamine administrat ion induced similar effects. At the same time, MDMA-125 enhanced sedation- and dysphoria-related effects (ARCI-PCAG and LSD, "confusion," "drunken," a nd Profile of Mood States Confusion scale). Mild changes in some body perce ption-related feelings were also reported after MDMA use, but hallucination s or psychoses were not present. In summary, the short-term administration of MDMA produced marked euphoria, a slight impairment in the performance of psychomotor tasks, and mild changes in body perceptions without hallucinat ions. These data support the abuse liability of MDMA.