Effects of methylphenidate and MDMA on appraisal of erotic stimuli and intimate relationships.
- Schmid Y Psychopharmacology Research, Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine and Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
- Hysek CM Psychopharmacology Research, Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine and Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
- Preller KH Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Bosch OG Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Bilderbeck AC Department of Psychiatry, Oxford University, London, UK.
- Rogers RD School of Psychology, Bangor University, London, UK.
- Quednow BB Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Liechti ME Psychopharmacology Research, Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine and Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland. Electronic address: matthias.liechti@usb.ch.
- 2014-12-16
Published in:
- European neuropsychopharmacology : the journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology. - 2015
Couples appraisal
MDMA
Methylphenidate
Sexual arousal
Adolescent
Adult
Central Nervous System Stimulants
Cross-Over Studies
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Double-Blind Method
Estradiol
Female
Hallucinogens
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Libido
Male
Methylphenidate
Middle Aged
N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine
Progesterone
Sexual Behavior
Testosterone
Time Factors
Young Adult
English
Methylphenidate mainly enhances dopamine neurotransmission whereas 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy") mainly enhances serotonin neurotransmission. However, both drugs also induce a weaker increase of cerebral noradrenaline exerting sympathomimetic properties. Dopaminergic psychostimulants are reported to increase sexual drive, while serotonergic drugs typically impair sexual arousal and functions. Additionally, serotonin has also been shown to modulate cognitive perception of romantic relationships. Whether methylphenidate or MDMA alter sexual arousal or cognitive appraisal of intimate relationships is not known. Thus, we evaluated effects of methylphenidate (40 mg) and MDMA (75 mg) on subjective sexual arousal by viewing erotic pictures and on perception of romantic relationships of unknown couples in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study in 30 healthy adults. Methylphenidate, but not MDMA, increased ratings of sexual arousal for explicit sexual stimuli. The participants also sought to increase the presentation time of implicit sexual stimuli by button press after methylphenidate treatment compared with placebo. Plasma levels of testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone were not associated with sexual arousal ratings. Neither MDMA nor methylphenidate altered appraisal of romantic relationships of others. The findings indicate that pharmacological stimulation of dopaminergic but not of serotonergic neurotransmission enhances sexual drive. Whether sexual perception is altered in subjects misusing methylphenidate e.g., for cognitive enhancement or as treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is of high interest and warrants further investigation.
- Language
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- English
- Open access status
- green
- Identifiers
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- DOI 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2014.11.020
- PMID 25498417
- Persistent URL
- https://folia.unifr.ch/global/documents/9302
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