Disrupted 'reflection' impulsivity in cannabis users but not current or former ecstasy users.
L Clark, Jonathan P. Roiser, Trevor W Robbins, Barbara J. Sahakian
Journal of Psychopharmacology May 30, 2008 DOI: 10.1177/0269881108089587 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cross-sectional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 94 |
| Population | Current ecstasy users, past ecstasy users, current cannabis users, and drug-naive controls |
| Measures | Information Sampling Test, Impulsivity subscale of the Eysenck Impulsiveness-Venturesomeness-Empathy questionnaire |
| Topics | Serotonin Cannabis MDMA |
| Keywords | Humans Neurotoxicity syndromes Substance-related disorders Marijuana abuse Tobacco use disorder N-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine Hallucinogens Self disclosure Demography Adult Female Surveys and questionnaires |
| Key findings | Current and past ecstasy users did not differ significantly from drug-naive controls on the Information Sampling Test, despite elevated self-reported impulsivity. Cannabis users sampled significantly less information and tolerated lower certainty in decision-making than controls, suggesting reduced reflection may be a common cognitive style across regular users of various substances. The authors argue the lack of effects in ecstasy users indicates the relationship between serotonin function, ecstasy use, and impulsivity is more complex. |
Abstract
Evidence for serotonin involvement in impulsivity has generated interest in the measurement of impulsivity in regular ecstasy users, who are thought to display serotonergic dysfunction. However, current findings are inconsistent. Here, we used a recently developed Information Sampling Test to measure 'reflection' impulsivity in 46 current ecstasy users, 14 subjects who used ecstasy in the past, 15 current cannabis users and 19 drug-naïve controls. Despite elevated scores on the Impulsivity subscale of the Eysenck Impulsiveness-Venturesomeness-Empathy questionnaire, the current and previous ecstasy users did not differ significantly from the drug-naive controls on the Information Sampling Test. In contrast, the cannabis users sampled significantly less information on the task, and tolerated a lower level of certainty in their decision-making, in comparison to the drug-naive controls. The effect in cannabis users extends our earlier observations in amphetamine- and opiate-dependent individuals (Clark, et al., 2006, Biological Psychiatry 60: 515-522), and suggests that reduced reflection may be a common cognitive style across regular users of a variety of substances. However, the lack of effects in the two ecstasy groups suggests that the relationship between serotonin function, ecstasy use and impulsivity is more complex.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on cannabis, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cannabis use before age 15 and subsequent executive functioning 104 chronic cannabis users (49 early-onset before age 15, 55 late-onset after age 15)... | 2011 | Observational cross-sectional study | n = 148 |
| Patterns of simultaneous polysubstance use in drug using university students Drug-using university students | 2006 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 149 |
| Persisting Reductions in Cannabis, Opioid, and Stimulant Misuse After Naturalistic Psychedelic Use: An Online Survey Online survey respondents | 2020 | Cross-sectional survey | |
| User perceptions of the benefits and harms of hallucinogenic drug use: A web-based questionnaire study Users of hallucinogenic drugs who completed a web-based questionnaire | 2010 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 600 |
| Illicit Use of LSD or Psilocybin, but not MDMA or Nonpsychedelic Drugs, is Associated with Mystical Experiences in a Dose-Dependent Manner Adults recruited from the MAPS website and newsletter, most reporting use of various... | 2012 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 337 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 10
- Dose-related effects of MDMA on psychomotor function and mood before, during, and after a night of sleep loss Psychopharmacology January 18, 2010
- Effects of repeated treatment with MDMA on working memory and behavioural flexibility in mice Addiction Biology January 19, 2012
- MDMA & Cannabis: A Mini-Review of Cognitive, Behavioral, and Neurobiological Effects of Co-Consumption Current Drug Abuse Reviews June 1, 2011
- Prediction of hallucinogen persisting perception disorder and thought disturbance symptoms following psychedelic use. PNAS Nexus April 1, 2025
- Predictors Of Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder Symptoms, Delusional Ideation And Magical Thinking Following Naturalistic Psychedelic Use November 15, 2022
and 5 more in the library
Cites 8
- Neurotoxicity of methylenedioxyamphetamines (MDMA; ecstasy) in humans: how strong is the evidence for persistent brain damage? Addiction February 27, 2006
- Recreational ecstasy use and the neurotoxic potential of MDMA: current status of the controversy and methodological issues Drug and Alcohol Review May 1, 2006
- Elevated impulsivity and impaired decision-making in abstinent Ecstasy (MDMA) users compared to polydrug and drug-naïve controls. Neuropsychopharmacology July 2006
- Elevated impulsivity and impaired decision-making cognition in heavy users of MDMA (“Ecstasy”) Psychopharmacology January 20, 2006
- Impulsivity, risk taking and recreational 'ecstasy' (MDMA) use. Drug and Alcohol Dependence October 5, 2004
and 3 more in the library