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A direct comparison of the behavioral and physiological effects of methamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in humans

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Abstract

Rationale

Despite their chemical similarities, methamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) produce differing neurochemical and behavioral responses in animals. In humans, individual studies of methamphetamine and MDMA indicate that the drugs engender overlapping and divergent effects; there are only limited data comparing the two drugs in the same individuals.

Objectives

This study examined the effects of methamphetamine and MDMA using a within-subject design.

Methods

Eleven adult volunteers completed this 13-day residential laboratory study, which consisted of four 3-day blocks of sessions. On the first day of each block, participants received oral methamphetamine (20, 40 mg), MDMA (100 mg), or placebo. Drug plasma concentrations, cardiovascular, subjective, and cognitive/psychomotor performance effects were assessed before drug administration and after. Food intake and sleep were also assessed. On subsequent days of each block, placebo was administered and residual effects were assessed.

Results

Acutely, both drugs increased cardiovascular measures and “positive” subjective effects and decreased food intake. In addition, when asked to identify each drug, participants had difficulty distinguishing between the amphetamines. The drugs also produced divergent effects: methamphetamine improved performance and disrupted sleep, while MDMA increased “negative” subjective-effect ratings. Few residual drug effects were noted for either drug.

Conclusions

It is possible that the differences observed could explain the differential public perception and abuse potential associated with these amphetamines. Alternatively, the route of administration by which the drugs are used recreationally might account for the many of the effects attributed to these drugs (i.e., MDMA is primarily used orally, whereas methamphetamine is used by routes associated with higher abuse potential).

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Acknowledgements

The medical assistance of Drs. Benjamin R Nordstrom and David Mysels and technical assistance of Gydmer Perez and Michaela Bamdad are gratefully acknowledged. This research was supported by grant number DA-03746 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

    Matthew G. Kirkpatrick & Carl L. Hart

  2. Division on Substance Abuse, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

    Matthew G. Kirkpatrick, Erik W. Gunderson, Audrey Y. Perez, Margaret Haney, Richard W. Foltin & Carl L. Hart

  3. New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Dr., Unit 120, New York, NY, 10032, USA

    Carl L. Hart

  4. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

    Matthew G. Kirkpatrick

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  1. Matthew G. Kirkpatrick
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  2. Erik W. Gunderson
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  3. Audrey Y. Perez
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  4. Margaret Haney
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  5. Richard W. Foltin
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  6. Carl L. Hart
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Correspondence to Carl L. Hart.

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Kirkpatrick, M.G., Gunderson, E.W., Perez, A.Y. et al. A direct comparison of the behavioral and physiological effects of methamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in humans. Psychopharmacology 219, 109–122 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-011-2383-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-011-2383-4

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