Former chronic methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ecstasy) users report mild depressive symptoms
Nicholas Macinnes, Sheila L. Handley, G. F. A. Harding
Journal of Psychopharmacology May 1, 2001 DOI: 10.1177/026988110101500310 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 29 |
| Population | Former chronic ecstasy users |
| Topics | Anxiety Cannabis MDMA |
| Keywords | Depression economics Beck depression inventory Amphetamine Recreational drug use |
| Citations | 120 |
| Key findings | Former chronic ecstasy users report significantly higher levels of depression than matched non-drug using controls, with depression levels predicted by frequent mild life stress and the quantity of ecstasy consumed over a 12-hour period. |
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.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on cannabis for anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rates and correlates of cannabis-associated psychotic symptoms in over 230,000 people who use cannabis International sample of people who use cannabis (PWUC) | 2022 | Observational cohort | n = 233,475 |
| Who Turns to Amazonian Medicine for Treatment of Substance Use Disorder? Patient Characteristics at the Takiwasi Addiction Treatment Center Patients with substance use disorders seeking treatment | 2020 | Observational study | |
| Long-Term Mental Health and Wellbeing Outcomes Associated with Naturalistic Ayahuasca Consumption. Adults with no prior exposure to ayahuasca participating in neo-shamanic ayahuasca... | 2025 | Prospective cohort study | n = 66 |
| Naturalistic use of psychedelics is associated with longitudinal improvements in anxiety and depression during global crisis times. Citizen science cohort recruited agnostically to an interest in drug use | 2025 | Observational cohort | n = 242,260 |
| Past-Year Psilocybin and Alcohol Co-Use: Associations With Mental Health Symptoms U.S. adults from the 2024 National Survey Investigating Hallucinogenic Trends | 2026 | Observational study | n = 2,841 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 38
- Human psychopharmacology of Ecstasy (MDMA): a review of 15 years of empirical research Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental December 1, 2001
- Chronic tolerance to recreational MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) or Ecstasy Journal of Psychopharmacology 2005
- Neurotoxicity of methylenedioxyamphetamines (MDMA; ecstasy) in humans: how strong is the evidence for persistent brain damage? Addiction February 27, 2006
- Human psychobiology of MDMA or ‘Ecstasy’: an overview of 25 years of empirical research Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental July 1, 2013
- Ecstasy/MDMA attributed problems reported by novice, moderate and heavy recreational users Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental July 12, 2002
and 33 more in the library
Cites 12
- Positron emission tomographic evidence of toxic effect of MDMA (“Ecstasy”) on brain serotonin neurons in human beings The Lancet October 1, 1998
- Recreational MDMA use in Sydney: a profile of ‘Ecstasy’ users and their experiences with the drug British Journal of Addiction August 1, 1992
- (±3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Selectively Damages Central Serotonergic Neurons in Nonhuman Primates JAMA July 1, 1988
- Mood and cognitive effects of ± 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ‘ecstasy’): week‐end ‘high’ followed by mid‐week low Addiction July 1, 1997
- Reducedin vivobinding to the serotonin transporter in the cerebral cortex of MDMA (‘ecstasy’) users The British Journal of Psychiatry July 1, 1999
and 7 more in the library