MDMA (‘ecstasy’) exhibits an anxiogenic-like activity in social encounters between male mice

Differential behavioral outcomes of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA-ecstasy) in anxiety-like responses in mice

“…Indeed, similar behavioral results were reported in studies using a similar apparatus after different stressors (30) or feareliciting stimuli (18,29). This hypothesis is consistent with results reported using the social interaction test (10,31).…”

The Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “Ecstasy”)

“…Anxiogenic effects were observed at lower doses and anxiolytic effects at higher doses, as shown by changes in the percentage number of open arm entries and time spent on the open arms. Maldonado and Navarro (2001) conducted a study on social interaction behaviors between male mice 30 min after MDMA injection and found that MDMA-treated animals performed significantly less grooming, digging, social investigation, threat, and attack behaviors compared to control animals. Nonsocial exploration, defense/submission, stretched attend posture, and avoidance/flee behaviors were all increased in MDMA-treated mice.…”

Drugs of abuse and the elicitation of human aggressive behavior

“…The extant animal studies have tended to demonstrate that MDMA administration leads to a pattern of ''anxiogenic-like'' behavior (Maldonado & Navarro, 2001), characterized by a marked decrease of aggression (threat and attack) as well as decreased social investigation, body care, and digging behaviors. One study, comparing MDMA to two other substances with similar chemical structures and pharmacological properties, d-amphetamine and PCP, suggested that while low doses of the latter two substances would in some animals lead to increases in aggressive behavior, MDMA was never associated with increased aggression and in fact decreased aggression in a dose-dependent manner (Miczek & Haney, 1994).…”