Ecstasy (MDMA) and its Relationship with Self- Report Depression, Anxiety and Schizotypy
Lisa Wood, Barkus Emma
Clínica y Salud 2010 DOI: 10.5093/cl2010v21n2a4 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Participants divided into three groups: no ecstasy use, light ecstasy users (fewer than 50 lifetime uses), and heavy ecstasy users (more than 50 lifetime uses) |
| Measures | Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression MDMA |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | Ecstasy use was associated with higher self-reported depression, anxiety, and schizotypal trait scores, but the level of ecstasy use showed no relationship with these measures. The authors conclude that ecstasy use per se is linked to depression and anxiety, replicating prior work, and that users report more schizotypal traits. |
Abstract
Aims: The relationship between ecstasy and affective psychological symptoms are still subject to debate. We aimed to examine the relationship between Ecstasy use and self-report depression, anxiety and schizotypy.
Design: Data were collected via structured remote self-report questionnaires.
Participants: Participants were split into three groups: a control group with no ecstasy use, a light ecstasy user group (50 times).
Measurements: Amount and patterns of ecstasy use were recorded, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) measured depression and anxiety respectively, and schizotypal traits were measured using the schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ).
Findings: It was found that ecstasy use was associated with depression, anxiety and schizotypal trait scores. There was no relationship between these measures and the level of ecstasy use.
Conclusions: Ecstasy use per se was associated with self-report depression and anxiety, replicating previous literature. Furthermore, ecstasy users reported more schizotypal traits, something which had not been investigated in any previous research.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on MDMA for depression, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Symptoms of anxiety and depression in childhood and use of MDMA: prospective, population based study Children and adolescents from the Dutch province of Zuid-Holland | 2006 | Prospective longitudinal population-based study | n = 1,580 |
| Past-year hallucinogen use in relation to psychological distress, depression, and suicidality among US adults. US noninstitutionalized adults from the 2015-2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health | 2022 | Observational cohort | n = 241,675 |
| The relationship between 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) use in young adulthood and anxiety or depressive disorders in the mid-30s: Findings from the Victorian Adolescent Health Cohort Study. Year 9 students (aged 14-15) from 44 Victorian schools in Australia, followed to age 35 | 2025 | Longitudinal population-based cohort study | n = 1,943 |
| Psychiatric profiles of mothers who take Ecstasy/MDMA during pregnancy: reduced depression 1 year after giving birth and quitting Ecstasy. Young women who used recreational drugs during pregnancy: 28 who used Ecstasy/MDMA and... | 2014 | Prospective observational cohort study | n = 96 |
| Anxiety, depression, and behavioral symptoms of executive dysfunction in ecstasy users: contributions of polydrug use. Men and women with a wide range of ecstasy use, including 17 marijuana-using controls | 2007 | Observational study | n = 65 |
Citations in the library
Cites 15
- 3,4‐Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “Ecstasy”): pharmacology and toxicology in animals and humans Addiction May 1, 1994
- Ecstasy/MDMA attributed problems reported by novice, moderate and heavy recreational users Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental July 12, 2002
- Mood, cognition and serotonin transporter availability in current and former ecstasy (MDMA) users: the longitudinal perspective Journal of Psychopharmacology March 1, 2006
- A review of acute effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine in healthy volunteers Journal of Psychopharmacology March 1, 2006
- MDMA in humans: factors which affect the neuropsychobiological profiles of recreational ecstasy users, the integrative role of bioenergetic stress Journal of Psychopharmacology March 1, 2006
and 10 more in the library