A new study reveals that the recreational drugs MDMA (also known as ecstasy or molly) and methamphetamine can increase feelings of connection and closeness with strangers during conversations.
Key Facts:
- MDMA and methamphetamine were tested on separate groups of healthy volunteers in double-blind, placebo-controlled studies.
- After taking MDMA or methamphetamine, participants had more enjoyable and meaningful conversations with previously unknown partners.
- Both drugs increased ratings of liking the partner, feeling connected, and wanting to talk again.
- MDMA and methamphetamine also increased levels of the “love hormone” oxytocin.
- Oxytocin levels correlated with feeling closer to partners after MDMA but not methamphetamine.
Source: Scientific Reports 2023
Drugs & social bonding among humans
Humans have an innate need to form social connections. Interacting with others gives us pleasure and meaning in life.
People who lack strong social ties tend to suffer from loneliness, depression and other ills.
Throughout history, humans have used drugs to facilitate social bonding.
Alcohol is enjoyed in social settings worldwide.
Indigenous tribes use psychoactive plants in communal ceremonies.
MDMA became popular at raves and dance parties where strangers experience a sense of togetherness.
Now, a controlled study from the University of Chicago directly tested how MDMA (the main ingredient in ecstasy) and methamphetamine affect social interactions with previously unknown partners.
The findings reveal that both drugs can increase feelings of connection, closeness and enjoyment after having a conversation with a stranger.
Inside the Social Brain
To understand how drugs influence social behavior, we must first look inside the social brain. Human brains contain complex circuitry that governs our social capabilities. Key areas involved include:
- Amygdala: Processes emotional signals from faces and voices
- Ventral striatum: Generates reward from social interactions
- Anterior cingulate cortex (ACC): Integrates emotional information
- Oxytocin system: Neuropeptide that promotes social bonding
Many recreational drugs target these same brain systems. MDMA boosts serotonin and oxytocin.
Methamphetamine increases dopamine and norepinephrine.
By acting on the social brain, these drugs likely alter social experiences.
But how exactly? The University of Chicago study aimed to find out.
Testing Social Effects of MDMA and Methamphetamine
In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, researchers examined how MDMA and methamphetamine affect feelings of connection during real conversations.
They recruited two groups of healthy volunteers – one group for MDMA tests, another group for methamphetamine.
During two lab sessions, participants received either the drug or a placebo pill.
They did not know which they got until the end of the study.
This is called a double-blind design – it prevents expectations from influencing results.
About 1-2 hours after taking the drug/placebo, participants had a 45 minute conversation with an opposite-sex stranger.
They were given pre-planned casual topics to discuss, like favorite holidays and music.
Afterwards, participants rated how connected, close and enjoyable the conversation felt on standardized questionnaires.
They also rated how much they liked their partner. One week later, they again rated the conversations and partners.
In addition, researchers measured blood pressure, heart rate and oxytocin levels before and after drug administration.
Oxytocin is a neuropeptide hormone involved in social bonding.
Key Results: MDMA and Methamphetamine Increase Social Connection
The key finding was that both MDMA and methamphetamine significantly increased participants’ ratings of:
- Enjoyment of the conversation
- Meaningfulness of the conversation
- Liking their partner
- Feeling close and connected to their partner
Compared to placebo, both drugs made the casual small talk feel more rewarding and meaningful.
On follow-up surveys a week later, participants still rated conversations on the drug days as more enjoyable.
They wanted to talk again with partners from the drug sessions.
This effect was very robust on standardized scales.
It clearly shows that MDMA and methamphetamine can increase social motivation, enjoyment and feelings of connection during conversations, even with strangers.
Other Results: Oxytocin and Vital Signs
As expected, both MDMA and methamphetamine increased blood pressure and heart rate compared to placebo.
These stimulant effects are well known.
The drugs also raised oxytocin levels in saliva samples taken after conversing.
Oxytocin is a neuropeptide hormone involved in social bonding and intimacy.
Interestingly, oxytocin levels correlated with ratings of feeling closer to partners after MDMA but not methamphetamine.
This suggests oxytocin may partially explain MDMA’s social effects.
Insights for the Social Brain
This study provides new insights into how recreational drugs affect the brain’s social processing systems.
Some implications:
- MDMA’s pro-social reputation is scientifically confirmed. Feelings of connection are enhanced even with strangers.
- Methamphetamine surprisingly has similar effects, increasing social motivation and enjoyment.
- Facilitated social interaction may contribute to recreational use and addiction risk for both drugs.
- For MDMA, oxytocin release likely plays a role in increasing feelings of closeness.
- Other neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine may mediate methamphetamine’s social effects.
- Enhanced social reward is a key drug effect that was previously overlooked.
Altogether, this demonstrates the power of MDMA and methamphetamine to amplify social motivation and connection by acting on the brain’s complex social circuitry.
Skepticism & Limitations of this MDMA/Meth study
Like all studies, this one has limitations. It involved small samples of healthy volunteers taking a single dose of drug.
Results might differ in larger groups or individuals with mental health conditions.
Measuring oxytocin is also notoriously difficult and unreliable.
More accurate oxytocin measurements are needed to confirm its role in MDMA’s social effects.
We must interpret findings cautiously. Billions of social interactions occur daily without illicit drug use.
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy involves specially trained therapists, not casual conversations with strangers.
Still, this study offers convincing evidence that common recreational stimulants fundamentally alter and enhance the brain’s processing of social interactions – even between previously unfamiliar people.
The Social Brain Under the Influence
Human brains are wired for connecting. But drugs like MDMA and methamphetamine artificially heighten this drive.
They likely stimulate neurochemical systems that reinforce social reward.
For some individuals, this enhancement may lead to overvaluation of drugged social interactions.
It could thereby contribute to repeated drug taking.
However, others may benefit therapeutically from MDMA’s pro-social effects if used responsibly under medical supervision. More research is needed on such clinical applications.
This study opens doors for understanding social behavior, addiction and mental health through the lens of neurochemistry.
The social brain’s responses to drugs are complex and warrant much further investigation.
For now, the takeaway is clear: illicit stimulants like MDMA and methamphetamine have unsuspected power to amplify social closeness and enjoyment – even between strangers.
The social brain is highly vulnerable to pharmacological manipulation. Both the pleasures and perils of social neurochemistry must be further explored.
References
- Study: Drug-induced social connection: both MDMA & methamphetamine increase feelings of connectedness during controlled dyadic conversations
- Authors: Hanna Molla et al. (2023)
