No evidence that MDMA-induced enhancement of emotional empathy is related to peripheral oxytocin levels or 5-HT1a receptor activation.

Kuypers KP, de la Torre R, Farre M, Yubero-Lahoz S, Dziobek I, Van den Bos W, Ramaekers JG

PloS one27 Jun 2014Cited by 76 (Europe PMC)

PMID24972084PMCIDPMC4074089DOI10.1371/journal.pone.0100719PepBankPUB-24972084

Summary

The present study aimed at investigating the effect of MDMA on measures of empathy and social interaction, and the roles of oxytocin and the 5-HT1A receptor in these effects. The design was placebo-controlled within-subject with 4 treatment conditions: MDMA (75 mg), with or without pindolol (20 mg), oxytocin nasal spray (40 IU+16 IU) or placebo. Participants were 20 healthy poly-drug MDMA users, aged between 18-26 years. Cognitive and emotional empathy were assessed by means of the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test and the Multifaceted Empathy Test. Social interaction, defined as trust and reciprocity, was assessed by means of a Trust Game and a Social Ball Tossing Game. Results showed that MDMA selectively affected emotional empathy and left cognitive empathy, trust and reciprocity unaffected. When combined with pindolol, these effects remained unchanged. Oxytocin did not affect measures of empathy and social interaction. Changes in emotional empathy were not related to oxytocin plasma levels. It was concluded that MDMA (75 mg) selectively enhances emotional empathy in humans. While the underlying neurobiological mechanism is still unknown, it is suggested that peripheral oxytocin does not seem to be the main actor in this; potential candidates are the serotonin 2A and the vasopressin 1A receptors. Trial registration: MDMA & PSB NTR 2636.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study3

2 results from studies that gave the peptide. 2 results from people.

01HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In healthy poly-drug MDMA users, intranasal oxytocin did not change measures of cognitive or emotional empathy versus placebo.
In plain wordsIn healthy MDMA users, oxytocin nasal spray did not change empathy compared with placebo.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
No significant changeCognitive and emotional empathy
Study
n = 20
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Social behavior and cognition · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
40 IU+16 IU · intranasalAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Oxytocin did not affect measures of empathy and social interaction.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
The design was placebo-controlled within-subject with 4 treatment conditions: MDMA (75 mg), with or without pindolol (20 mg), oxytocin nasal spray (40 IU+16 IU) or placebo.
Summary · context
Participants were 20 healthy poly-drug MDMA users, aged between 18-26 years.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2497208401
02HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In healthy poly-drug MDMA users, intranasal oxytocin did not change social interaction (trust and reciprocity) versus placebo.
In plain wordsIn healthy MDMA users, oxytocin nasal spray did not change trust or reciprocity compared with placebo.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
No significant changeSocial interaction (trust and reciprocity)
Study
n = 20
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Social behavior and cognition · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
40 IU+16 IU · intranasalAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Oxytocin did not affect measures of empathy and social interaction.
3 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Social interaction, defined as trust and reciprocity, was assessed by means of a Trust Game and a Social Ball Tossing Game.
Summary · context
The design was placebo-controlled within-subject with 4 treatment conditions: MDMA (75 mg), with or without pindolol (20 mg), oxytocin nasal spray (40 IU+16 IU) or placebo.
Summary · context
Participants were 20 healthy poly-drug MDMA users, aged between 18-26 years.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2497208402

Natural levels measured1

These results measure the body's own peptide. Nobody was given the peptide. They are not evidence about taking it. They are left out of key results, evidence counts and charts.

03HumanEndogenous levelRandomized controlled trialMechanism
In healthy poly-drug MDMA users, MDMA-induced changes in emotional empathy were not related to the body's own plasma oxytocin levels.
In plain wordsIn healthy MDMA users, changes in empathy were not linked to the body's own oxytocin levels in blood.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
No significant changeAssociation of change in emotional empathy with plasma oxytocin
Study
n = 20
Outcome group
Social behavior and cognition · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
Changes in emotional empathy were not related to oxytocin plasma levels.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
The design was placebo-controlled within-subject with 4 treatment conditions: MDMA (75 mg), with or without pindolol (20 mg), oxytocin nasal spray (40 IU+16 IU) or placebo.
Summary · context
Participants were 20 healthy poly-drug MDMA users, aged between 18-26 years.
This result measures the body's own Oxytocin. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2497208403

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
11 Oct 2026, 01:30 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 02:49 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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