MDMA as well as amphetamine and alcohol increase feelings of social closeness in healthy adults.

Publisher: Nature Publishing Group Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101563288 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2045-2322 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 20452322 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Sci Rep Subsets: MEDLINE

Original Publication: London : Nature Publishing Group, copyright 2011-

N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine*/pharmacology ; Ethanol*/pharmacology ; Emotions*/drug effects; Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Young Adult ; Amphetamine/pharmacology ; Social Interaction/drug effects ; Methamphetamine/pharmacology ; Reward ; Interpersonal Relations

Psychoactive drugs such as alcohol and stimulants are typically used in social settings such as bars, parties or small groups. Yet, relatively little is known about how social contexts affect responses to drugs, or how the drugs alter social interactions. It is possible that positive social contexts enhance the rewarding properties of drugs, perhaps increasing their potential for repeated use and abuse. In addition, drugs may enhance the rewarding effects of social interactions by increasing feelings of social closeness and connectedness. To examine these relations, we investigated the effects of several drugs (MDMA, methamphetamine, alcohol) on feelings of connection between two strangers engaged in a conversation. We also investigated feelings of connection between two participants who discussed either 'shallow' or deeper topics in two conversations, without any drugs. All four conditions: deeper conversations, MDMA, methamphetamine and alcohol significantly increased feelings of connection and closeness compared with control conditions (small talk or placebo). We postulate that these feelings of connection could contribute to the drugs' rewarding effects when the drugs are used in social contexts.
Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Disclosures: HdW is on the Board of Directors of PharmAla Biotech, and on scientific advisory committees of Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals and MIND Foundation. These activities are unrelated to the present report. Other authors declare no conflicts.
(© 2024. The Author(s).)

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Keywords: Alcohol; Closeness; Connectedness; Deep talk; MDMA; Methamphetamine

KE1SEN21RM (N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine)
3K9958V90M (Ethanol)
CK833KGX7E (Amphetamine)
44RAL3456C (Methamphetamine)

Date Created: 20241229 Date Completed: 20241229 Latest Revision: 20250104

20250104

PMC11682418

10.1038/s41598-024-82632-z

39732947