MDMA (Ecstasy)
Rif S El-Mallakh, Henry David Abraham
Annals of Clinical Psychiatry 2007 DOI: 10.1080/10401230601163592 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | MDMA Serotonin |
| Keywords | Hallucinogen Amphetamine Mood Adverse effect Drug |
| Citations | 17 |
| Key findings | MDMA is neurotoxic with significant deleterious effects on serotonergic neurons, memory, and mood, yet dependence and dosage escalation are relatively uncommon. |
Abstract
Background: 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or Ecstasy) is a synthetic amphetamine analogue that is recreationally used to obtain a psychological effect of enhanced affiliative emotional response. Its use in Western countries appears to be increasing, particularly among young individuals.
Methods: Pertinent basic and clinical literature is critically reviewed.
Results: A significant body of literature suggests that the patterns of MDMA use differ from traditional drugs of abuse, with relatively uncommon dependence and escalation of dosage. Nonetheless, MDMA is also neurotoxic with significant deleterious effects on serotonergic neurons, memory, and mood. Despite this, there is a dearth of treatment strategies for both acute intoxication and consequences of longer term use.
Conclusions: MDMA is an important drug of abuse that has a wide range of adverse consequences.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human Pharmacology of MDMA | 2004 | Review | |
| Human psychopharmacology of Ecstasy (MDMA): a review of 15 years of empirical research | 2001 | Review | |
| 3,4‐Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “Ecstasy”): pharmacology and toxicology in animals and humans | 1994 | Review | |
| (±)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (‘Ecstasy’)-Induced Serotonin Neurotoxicity: Studies in Animals | 2000 | Review | |
| Amphetamine toxicities | 2010 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 8
- Autophagy activation is involved in 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ('ecstasy')--induced neurotoxicity in cultured cortical neurons. PLoS One December 31, 2014
- Mechanisms mediating the ability of caffeine to influence MDMA (‘Ecstasy’)‐induced hyperthermia in rats British Journal of Pharmacology May 24, 2010
- Effects of Schedule I drug laws on neuroscience research and treatment innovation. Nature reviews. Neuroscience June 12, 2013
- Altered pain responses in abstinent (±)3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy") users. Psychopharmacology October 2011
- The Drug Information and Monitoring System (DIMS) in the Netherlands: implementation, results, and international comparison. Drug Testing and Analysis September 2011
and 3 more in the library