Combined immunomodulating properties of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and cannabis in humans
Roberta Pacifici, Piergiorgio Zuccaro, Magı́ Farré, Sandra Poudevida, Sergio Abanades, Simona Pichini, Klaus Langohr, Jordi Segura, Rafael de la Torre
Addiction May 22, 2007 DOI: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2007.01805.x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Longitudinal prospective study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 94 |
| Population | Polydrug consumers of MDMA and cannabis, cannabis-only users, and non-users |
| Duration | 1 year follow-up |
| Topics | Cannabis MDMA |
| Keywords | Immune system Interleukin Immunology |
| Citations | 39 |
| Key findings | Long-term alterations in immunological homeostasis, including decreased IL-2 and increased TGF-β1, were observed in MDMA–cannabis users and were associated with a higher rate of mild infections. |
Abstract
ABSTRACT Aims Cell‐mediated immune function and the occurrence of mild infectious diseases was investigated.
Participants: Polydrug consumers of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and cannabis ( n = 37) compared to cannabis users only ( n = 23) and control group ( n = 34).
Design: A longitudinal prospective study with three cross‐sectional evaluations at time 0 and at 6 months and 1 year was performed.
Findings: At baseline, a significant decrease in interleukin (IL)‐2 and an increase in anti‐inflammatory transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1, together with a decrease in the number of total lymphocytes, CD4 and natural killer (NK) cells were observed in the MDMA–cannabis group, with intermediate alterations in the cannabis group. Immune alterations observed at baseline were sustained over time. No differences were found between regular and occasional MDMA users. A significantly higher rate of mild infections in regular MDMA–cannabis users compared with occasional MDMA–cannabis users and the remaining groups was observed.
Conclusions: The present data confirm that long‐term alterations in immunological homeostasis may result in general health status impairment and subsequent increased susceptibility to infection and immune‐related disorders.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on cannabis, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-potency cannabis and the risk of psychosis People with first episode of psychosis and healthy controls from the local population | 2009 | Case-control study | n = 454 |
| Ayahuasca-Assisted Therapy for Addiction: Results from a Preliminary Observational Study in Canada Rural aboriginal population | 2013 | Observational study | |
| Impaired cognitive performance in drug free users of recreational ecstasy (MDMA) Otherwise healthy young people | 2000 | Observational | |
| Continued cannabis use and risk of incidence and persistence of psychotic symptoms: 10 year follow-up cohort study Individuals from the general population in Germany aged 14-24 at baseline | 2011 | Observational cohort | n = 1,923 |
| Cannabis-induced psychosis and subsequent schizophrenia-spectrum disorders: follow-up study of 535 incident cases Patients treated for cannabis-induced psychotic symptoms in Denmark between 1994 and... | 2005 | Observational cohort | n = 535 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 7
- Psychedelics in Psychiatry: Neuroplastic, Immunomodulatory, and Neurotransmitter Mechanisms Pharmacological Reviews December 16, 2020
- Psychedelics and Immunomodulation: Novel Approaches and Therapeutic Opportunities Frontiers in Immunology July 14, 2015
- Autonomic, Neuroendocrine, and Immunological Effects of Ayahuasca Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology October 15, 2011
- Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (‘Ecstasy’)‐induced immunosuppression: a cause for concern? British Journal of Pharmacology May 27, 2010
- Strategic control, consolidation and poly-drug use; the relative contributions to verbal memory impairment in recreational ecstasy users UTAS Research Repository August 1, 2014
and 2 more in the library
Cites 3
- Ecstasy/MDMA attributed problems reported by novice, moderate and heavy recreational users Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental July 12, 2002
- Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ‘Ecstasy’): a stressor on the immune system Immunology March 30, 2004
- Cell‐Mediated Immune Response in MDMA Users After Repeated Dose Administration Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences June 1, 2002