MDMA and methamphetamine: some paradoxical negative and positive mood changes in an acute dose laboratory study

Abstract

In the laboratory, acute methamphetamine led to significantly higher positive moods. However, against expectations, MDMA did not generate a significant increase in positive moods.

Basal functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and psychological distress in recreational ecstasy polydrug users

“…The atypical profile in heavy users also contributed to a significant between group difference in terms of total secretion of cortisol across the day (F (2,49) = 3.54, p = 0.04) characterised by greater secretion in heavy versus light users (p = 0.04). Table 3 The observed increases in psychological distress support previous studies reporting increased anxiety, depression and stress in ecstasy users (McCardle et al, 2004;Rodgers et al, 2006;Scholey et al, 2011). More specifically, these findings replicate earlier reports of elevated levels of anxiety and depression in the period following awakening .…”

“…Fox et al, 2002;Montgomery et al 2005;Rodgers, 2000). In support, a recent study has demonstrated that self-reported use of ecstasy is consistent with the levels of MDMA obtained from hair samples (Scholey et al, 2011). All participants reported being drug free for at least 7 days (median abstinence period for ecstasy, cannabis and cocaine was 28, 4, and 8 weeks respectively for light users and 4, 2, and 10 weeks for heavy users), and we have no reason to believe this information to be false (participants were not informed that they would be excluded prior to testing).…”

“…These figures are broadly in line with the USA where lifetime prevalence is estimated at 16% in 18-22 year olds (NIH National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2012). Although acute ecstasy use has been associated with negative mood effects in laboratory conditions (e.g., Parrott et al, 2011), when taken in more representative settings, e.g., house parties and clubs, ecstasy use is typically associated with increases in positive mood, and feelings of intimacy and euphoria (Solowij et al, 1992, Verheyden et al, 2003. Beyond the euphoric acute effects, however, recreational use of ecstasy is associated with a range of deleterious effects on neuropsychological and physical wellbeing.…”

“…Chronic use is also associated with increases in psychological morbidity. Ecstasy use is predictive of lower levels of self-reported happiness and increases in perceived stress (Scholey et al, 2011) and survey data suggest that approximately one third of ecstasy users report experiencing adverse psychological symptoms including increased levels of aggression, irritability and impatience, greater levels of sadness and depression and reduced alertness . Ecstasy users also report greater levels of frustration, mental demand and time pressure when faced with cognitively demanding tasks representative of real world multitasking situations .…”

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

“…A sub-set of this data has been previously reported (see, Parrott et al 2011) as part of related study concerning the acute mood effects of MDMA and methamphetamine in a laboratory setting. Past MDMA/ecstasy use indicated that 59 of the 61 participants had prior MDMA usage, similarly, 60 of 61 participants reported prior amphetamine usage.…”