Effects of MDMA Co-administration on the Response to LSD in Healthy Subjects

Abstract

The acute subjective effects of serotonin (5-HT)2A receptor stimulation with lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in humans are mostly positive. However, negative effects such as anxiety, paranoid thinking or loss of trust towards other people are common effects, depending on the dose administered, the personality traits of the person consuming it (set), or the environment in which LSD is taken (setting). Negative psychedelic effects may cause acute distress to the subject and acute anxiety has been linked to less favourable long-term outcomes in patients experimentally treated with LSD or similar substances for the treatment of depression. The 5-HT and oxytocin releaser 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) reliably induces positive mood up to euphoria, comfort, empathy, and feelings of trust. If administered in combination with LSD, MDMA may increase positive subjective drug effects including positive mood, empathy, and trust and reduce negative emotions and anxiety associated with LSD and overall produce a more positive over negative experience. The present study will assess subjective and autonomic effects of LSD alone and in combination with MDMA.

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