Former chronic methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ecstasy) users report mild depressive symptoms

Abstract

Previous work has indicated recreational use of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ecstasy) is associated with elevated scores on self-report measures of depression. We sought to examine the long-term effects of consumption on depression in a group of individuals who had consumed large quantities of the drug in the past, but were now leading relatively drug free lives. Respondents to this study (n = 29) had consumed an average of 1.5 ecstasy tablets in the last month, 8.4 in the last 6 months and 23.3 in the last 12 months. The estimated total consumed was 527 tablets, indicating that these respondents were indeed former chronic users of the drug. None of the respondents had consumed ecstasy in the last 14 days. Levels of depression (Beck's Depression Inventory) were significantly (p < 0.01) elevated compared to a matched non-drug using control group. Within the group of former chronic users, these levels of depression were not significantly affected by current use of alcohol, cannabis or amphetamine, but were positively correlated with an external locus of control (p < 0.05), infrequent but severe- (p < 0.05) and frequent but mild- (p < 0.005) self-report measures of life stress. Multiple regression indicated that levels of frequent but mild life stress (p < 0.005) and the quantity of ecstasy tablets respondents consumed over a 12-h period (p < 0.05) were the only variables that were significant predictors of self-reported levels of depression. The results of this study indicate that former chronic ecstasy users report higher levels of depression than their matched controls.

Chronic Fluoxetine Treatment Partly Attenuates the Long-Term Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms Induced by MDMA (‘Ecstasy’) in Rats

“…Considering that the forced swim test is the most widely used tool for preclinical antidepressant activity (Cryan et al, 2002), these results strengthen the claim that a neurotoxic dose of MDMA leads to increased depressive-like symptoms in animals. This converges with increasing human research that links MDMA consumption with depression (MacInnes et al, 2001;Morgan, 2000;Parrott et al, 2002). The magnitude of the MDMA effect is marginal but reliable, consistent with a report showing that MDMA users manifest mild rather than severe symptoms of depression (MacInnes et al, 2001).…”

“…This converges with increasing human research that links MDMA consumption with depression (MacInnes et al, 2001;Morgan, 2000;Parrott et al, 2002). The magnitude of the MDMA effect is marginal but reliable, consistent with a report showing that MDMA users manifest mild rather than severe symptoms of depression (MacInnes et al, 2001).…”

“…Recent studies have linked MDMA use in humans to longterm psychological problems including depressed mood (MacInnes et al, 2001;Morgan, 2000;Parrott et al, 2002) and increased anxiety (Gamma et al, 2000;McGuire, 2000;Parrott et al, 2002Parrott et al, , 2000Schifano et al, 1998;Verkes et al, 2001;Wareing et al, 2000). However, human studies rarely provide convincing proof of a causal role for MDMA in such effects.…”

Past 12-month and lifetime comorbidity and poly-drug use of ecstasy users among young adults in the United States: Results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions

“…Additionally, our finding that former ecstasy users had a high prevalence of current major depression (whereas there is no difference between current ecstasy users and lifetime non-users in the prevalence of current major depression) may be indicative of long-term adverse effects of ecstasy use. Laboratory studies have indicated that psychological well-being may be impaired and depressive symptoms reported up to 2.5 years after the cessation of heavy ecstasy use (De Win et al, 2004;Gerra et al, 2000;MacInnes et al, 2001;Thomasius et al, 2003Thomasius et al, , 2005Verheyden et al, 2003b). However, our finding that the prevalence of depression is not elevated in current ecstasy users warrants further investigation into a possible delayed effect of ecstasy on a full-spectrum depression diagnosis.…”

Are ecstasy users biased toward endorsing somatic mental health symptoms? Results from a general community sample

“…Hanson and Luciana 2004;MacInnes et al 2001;Roiser et al 2005), the SCL-90, or the related BSI or SCL-90R (i.e. Milani et al 2005;Milani et al 2004;Morgan et al 2002;Parrott et al 2001;Thomasius et al 2003).…”