An investigation of the subacute effects of ecstasy on neuropsychological performance, sleep and mood in regular ecstasy users

Abstract

The aim of this study was to differentiate the subacute from the chronic effects of ecstasy. Regular ecstasy users who subsequently chose to take ecstasy (experimental group: E, N = 16) were compared with regular ecstasy users who opted not to (control group: C, N = 16). Groups were assessed with neuropsychological and psychometric measures at drug-free baseline before ecstasy use and 1 and 4 days after use. Ecstasy users who consumed ecstasy (E) did not differ from those who did not (C) in relation to age, estimated IQ, personality or past substance use, including ecstasy. At baseline, E reported being more energetic, lively and cheerful whereas the day after ecstasy use they reported being more muddled, afraid, sad and dejected than C. However, this was not significant after controlling for sleep deprivation. Mood returned to baseline within 3 days and there were no group differences in Beck depression inventory scores at any of the three testing sessions. There were no subacute effects of ecstasy on working memory, story recall, impulsivity, or decision-making. However, at baseline and the day after use ecstasy users made poorer decisions, and were less sensitive to punishment, in the Somatic marker sensitivity test. These findings suggest that previous reports of marked subacute effects of ecstasy use may have been confounded by chronic polydrug use before use, co-substance use and sleep disturbances after use.

Consequences of concurrent and simultaneous amphetamine-type stimulant and alcohol use among young adults: hazardous drinking, antisocial behaviour, and contact with police

“…The lack of association between ecstasy-related aggression and hostility and simultaneous ecstasy and alcohol use, risky drinking, and ecstasy use trajectories is consistent with previous evidence (Hoshi et al, 2007;Pirona & Morgan, 2010;Scott et al, 2013). The marginal association between ecstasy use and aggression, which was attenuated in the full model, could be accounted for by the poly-drug use profile of higherrisk ecstasy users.…”

“…Reductions in self-reported aggression during ecstasy intoxication have also been reported in human studies (Curran et al, 2004). In contrast, ecstasy use has been linked with increased aggression 3-4 days postconsumption (Hoshi et al, 2006); however, this association may be confounded by sleep factors (e.g., hours and quality of sleep; Pirona & Morgan, 2010;Scott et al, 2013). Lastly, cocaine use has been linked with intimate partner violence and criminal behaviour (Boles & Miotto, 2003;Tomlinson et al, 2016).…”

“…While acute ecstasy intoxication appears to reduce aggression, there is some evidence of subacute effects, with ecstasy linked with increased aggression 3-4 days post consumption (Curran et al, 2004;Hoshi, Pratt, Mehta, Bond, & Curran, 2006). However, some researchers argue that negative subacute effects of ecstasy consumption may be confounded by sleep factors (e.g., hours and quality of sleep; Pirona & Morgan, 2010;Scott, Hides, Allen, & Lubman, 2013). Further, there is little evidence supporting the proposition of an association between ecstasy use and long-term increases in aggression (Hoshi et al, 2007).…”

The acute effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine and d-methamphetamine on human cognitive functioning

“…A second explanation may lay in the psychosocial environment of the laboratory testing experience which we have discussed elsewhere (Parrott et al 2011) in regards to potentially explanatory factors that need to be empirically investigated or controlled for in future laboratory studies of illicit substances. Any disruptions in sleep (McCann et al 2007) or sleep quality (Pirona and Morgan 2010) that the active drug preparations contributed to, through their stimulating effects, may also have prevented a return to performance levels equivalent to placebo performance at the 24-h post-dose testing time-point.…”

Assessing Sleep Disturbance in Ecstasy Users: A Questionnaire Study

“…This perceived reduction in sleep quality may contribute to negative effects on mood and cognition [10] which have been reported following ecstasy use.…”