Depressive symptomatology in young adults with a history of MDMA use: a longitudinal analysis
Rüssel S. Falck, Jichuan Wang, Robert G. Carlson
Journal of Psychopharmacology August 22, 2007 DOI: 10.1177/0269881107078293 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Longitudinal study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 402 |
| Population | Young adult MDMA/ecstasy users from the community |
| Duration | 2-year follow-up with assessments every six months |
| Topics | Anxiety MDMA |
| Keywords | Depression economics Longitudinal study Beck depression inventory Young adult Clinical psychology Demography Developmental psychology |
| Citations | 45 |
| Key findings | Depressive symptoms declined over two years among young adult MDMA users, suggesting that MDMA use does not result in long-term depressive symptomatology for most people. |
Abstract
Research suggests that methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)/`ecstasy' can cause serotonin depletion as well as serotonergic neurodegradation that may result in depression. This longitudinal study used the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) to assess depressive symptomatology every six months over a two-year period among a community sample of young adult MDMA/`ecstasy' users ( n = 402). Multilevel growth modeling was used to analyze changes in BDI scores. Between baseline and 24 months, the mean BDI score declined from 9.8 to 7.7. Scores varied significantly across individuals at baseline and declined at a rate of 0.36 points every six months. Persons with higher baseline scores were more likely to have their scores decrease over time. Several factors were significantly associated with score levels, independent of time: gender — men's scores were lower than women's; ethnicity — whites' scores were lower than those of non-whites; education — persons with at least some university education had scores that were lower than those without any college experience; benzodiazepines — current users' scores were higher than non-users'; opioids — current users' scores were higher than non-users'; and cumulative ecstasy use — people who had used MDMA more than 50 times had scores that were higher than persons who had used the drug less often. The results reported here show low levels of depressive symptoms among a sample that, after 24 months, consisted of both current and former MDMA users. The low and declining mean scores suggest that for most people MDMA/`ecstasy' use does not result in long-term depressive symptomatology.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on MDMA for anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 19
- Use and abuse of dissociative and psychedelic drugs in adolescence Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior January 27, 2021
- The History of MDMA June 29, 2023
- Therapeutic Potential of MDMA- and Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy for Adolescent Depression and Trauma. Current Psychiatry Reports February 1, 2025
- Early Use in Psychotherapy The History of MDMA June 29, 2023
- The Scheduling The History of MDMA June 29, 2023
and 14 more in the library
Cites 14
- Mood and cognitive effects of ± 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ‘ecstasy’): week‐end ‘high’ followed by mid‐week low Addiction July 1, 1997
- Mood, cognition and serotonin transporter availability in current and former ecstasy (MDMA) users: the longitudinal perspective Journal of Psychopharmacology March 1, 2006
- Is MDMA (‘Ecstasy’) Neurotoxic in Humans? An Overview of Evidence and of Methodological Problems in Research Neuropsychobiology 2000
- Former chronic methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ecstasy) users report mild depressive symptoms Journal of Psychopharmacology May 1, 2001
- Symptoms of anxiety and depression in childhood and use of MDMA: prospective, population based study BMJ February 24, 2006
and 9 more in the library