The purpose of this study is to assess and compare the effects of a single dose of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)and methylphenidate (MPH) on emotional and social cognition in healthy subjects. The investigators hypothesize that MDMA enhances affective perception for positive and impairs perception for negative emotional stimuli compared to placebo or MPH.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
30
75 mg per os, single dose
40 mg per os, single dose
capsules identical to MDMA or methylphenidate but containing no active drug
University Hospital Basel
Basel, Switzerland
Effects on social cognition (emotion recognition and empathy)
Time frame: 7 hours
Blood pressure (mmHg) and heart rate (beats per min)
Time frame: 7 hours
Subjective effects
subjective effects are repetitively assessed by standardized questionnaires
Time frame: 7 hours
Neuroendocrine plasma levels
neuroendocrine parameters assessed: prolactin, cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, oxytocin, pro-vasopressin, vasopressin, estrogene,and progesterone
Time frame: 7 hours
Drug plasma concentration
The plasma concentration of MDMA and MPH is repetitively assessed.
Time frame: 7 hours
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