Acute psychotropic, autonomic, and endocrine effects of 5,6‐methylenedioxy‐2‐aminoindane (MDAI) compared with 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in human volunteers: A self‐administration study

Abstract

The acute psychoactive, autonomic, and endocrine effects of the new psychoactive substance (NPS) 5,6‐methylenedioxy‐2‐aminoindane (MDAI; 3.0 mg/kg, range 180–228 mg) were investigated in six healthy volunteers (four males, two females) in a non‐blinded fashion without placebo. Subjective, cardiovascular, and endocrine responses were compared with two different doses of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) (75 mg and 125 mg) described in previously published placebo‐controlled studies, which used identical outcome measures including Visual Analogue Scales (VAS), the Adjective Mood Rating Scale (AMRS), and the 5 Dimensions of Altered States of Consciousness (5D‐ASC) scale. MDAI was well tolerated and produced subjective effects comparable with those of 125 mg MDMA. MDAI increased blood pressure similar to 125 mg MDMA but did not increase heart rate or body temperature. MDAI increased cortisol and prolactin levels and could be detected in serum about 20 min post ingestion and remained detectable at least for 4 days. In urine, MDAI was detectable over a period of at least 6 days. Further clinical investigations are warranted to assess whether MDAI could serve as drug with medicinal properties.