Substance usage intention does not affect attentional bias: implications from Ecstasy/MDMA users and alcohol drinkers
Thomas D. W. Wilcockson, Emmanuel M Pothos, Andrew C. Parrott
Addictive Behaviors September 4, 2018 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.09.001 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Regular alcohol drinkers and recreational MDMA users |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Citations | 10 |
| Key findings | Both MDMA users and alcohol drinkers showed significant attentional biases toward their respective substance-related stimuli, but not toward control stimuli. Use intention did not affect these biases: attentional biases were present whether or not use was intended, which the authors argue demonstrates the robust nature of attentional biases once developed. |
Abstract
Background: An attentional bias towards substance-related stimuli has been demonstrated with alcohol drinkers and many other types of substance user. There is evidence to suggest that the strength of an attentional bias may vary as a result of context (or use intention), especially within Ecstasy/MDMA users.
Objective: Our aim was to empirically investigate attentional biases by observing the affect that use intention plays in recreational MDMA users and compare the findings with that of alcohol users.
Method: Regular alcohol drinkers were compared with MDMA users. Performance was assessed for each group separately using two versions of an eye-tracking attentional bias task with pairs of matched neutral, and alcohol or MDMA-related visual stimuli. Dwell time was recorded for alcohol or MDMA. Participants were tested twice, when intending and not intending to use MDMA or alcohol. Note, participants in the alcohol group did not complete any tasks which involved MDMA-related stimuli and vice versa.
Results: Significant attentional biases were found with both MDMA and alcohol users for respective substance-related stimuli, but not control stimuli. Critically, use intention did not affect attentional biases. Attentional biases were demonstrated with both MDMA users and alcohol drinkers when usage was and was not intended.
Conclusions: These findings demonstrate the robust nature of attentional biases i.e. once an attentional bias has developed, it is not readily affected by intention.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subjective Reports of the Effects of MDMA in a Clinical Setting Individuals who took MDMA in a clinical setting | 1986 | Observational study | |
| Memory impairment in abstinent MDMA ("Ecstasy") users Abstinent MDMA users | 1998 | Observational cohort | |
| Impaired cognitive performance in drug free users of recreational ecstasy (MDMA) Otherwise healthy young people | 2000 | Observational | |
| The Psychological and Physiological Effects of MDMA on Normal Volunteers Older, more educated, drug-experienced individuals | 1986 | Observational cohort | |
| Cognitive performance in recreational users of MDMA or 'ecstasy': evidence for memory deficits Young people who were regular or novice MDMA users, or non-users | 1998 | Observational cohort | n = 30 |
Citations in the library
Cites 3
- MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) or Ecstasy: The Neuropsychobiological Implications of Taking It at Dances and Raves Neuropsychobiology 2004
- The prevalence, intensity, and assessment of craving for MDMA/ecstasy in recreational users. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 2014
- The sub-acute effects of recreational ecstasy (MDMA) use: a controlled study in humans. Journal of Psychopharmacology March 2006