Effects of amphetamine on reactivity to emotional stimuli.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Most studies of the reinforcing effects of stimulants have focused on the drugs' capacity to induce positive mood (i.e., euphoria). However, recent findings suggest drugs may also alter emotional reactivity to external stimuli, and that this may occur independently of direct effects on mood.

Objectives

We aimed to examine effects of D: -amphetamine, a prototypic stimulant, on self-reported and psychophysiological reactivity to emotional stimuli as well as overall subjective mood. We predicted that amphetamine would enhance reactivity to pleasant stimuli, particularly, stimuli with social content and that these effects would be independent of the drug's direct effects on mood.

Methods

Over three sessions, 36 healthy normal adults received placebo, D: -ampheta

SUBMITTER: Wardle MC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3277682 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature