‘Ecstasy’ Psychosis and Flashbacks

Abstract

We report three cases of flashbacks and one case of recurrent psychosis experienced by three MDMA users. We draw the attention of clinicians to the combination of adverse effects observed with this drug of abuse and to the advisability of prolonged treatment should they occur.

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

“…Psychological Effects. While the acute psychological effects that occur during the peak period following MDMA ingestion generally include euphoria and reduction of negative thoughts, adverse effects that follow subacute MDMA ingestion include depression, irritability, panic attacks, visual hallucinations, and paranoid delusions (Brown and Osterloh, 1987;Whitaker-Azmitia and Aronson, 1989;Creighton et al, 1991;McCann et al, 1996;Davison and Parrott, 1997). Davison and Parrott (1997) studied 20 recreational drug users, aged 18 to 31 years, each of whom had used MDMA at least once.…”

MDMA Elicits Behavioral and Neurochemical Sensitization in Rats

“…As the popularity of MDMA has increased, psychiatric complications have emerged associated with repeated drug use. Although a diversity of MDMA-associated psychiatric problems have been reported, a frequently identified feature is the induction of anxiety and paranoia, sometimes culminating in panic attacks and paranoid psychosis (McCann and Ricaurte 1991;Creighton et al 1991;Benzazzi and Mazzoli 1991;Whitaker-Azmitia and Aronson 1989). Although rigorous demographic analysis of the association between these relatively common psychiatric disorders and repeated MDMA use remains to be conducted (Green et al 1995), the progressive emergence of anxiety and paranoia is reminiscent of the induction of similar psychopathologies in a subpopulation of methamphetamine and cocaine addicts (Ellinwood 1967;Post 1975;Brady et al 1991;Satel et al 1991).…”

Class A drug abuse: an ophthalmologist's problem?

“…[24][25][26] Visual perception disorder (hundreds of dots moving over whole visual field), palinopsia, and flashbacks have also been reported following use of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), commonly known as ecstasy. [27][28][29] Retinal haemorrhage following ecstasy use, possibly due to a sudden rise in blood pressure, has been reported in a single case. 30 However, a case of bilateral sixth nerve palsy was attributed to either mild cerebral oedema or interaction of MDMA with the seratonin metabolism in the sixth nerve.…”