An investigation of factors associated with depressive symptoms among a sample of regular ecstasy consumers.
A J Matthews, R Bruno
Neuropsychobiology 2010 DOI: 10.1159/000306592 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey (interview-based) Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 100 |
| Population | Regular ecstasy consumers (at least monthly use) in Tasmania, Australia, recruited through the Ecstasy and Related Drug Reporting System |
| Measures | Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, Kessler Psychological Distress Scale |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Key findings | About 23% of regular ecstasy users reported recent depression, a rate the authors describe as notably greater than the general population, but only one third of those had sought professional help. High depressive symptomatology was associated with a range of drug-use factors, including frequent and heavy ecstasy use, frequent cannabis or methamphetamine use, intravenous and polydrug use, binge use, harmful alcohol use, and elevated dependence scores for ecstasy and methamphetamine. |
Abstract
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine affects the central serotonergic system, and there is some evidence for an association between ecstasy use (drugs sold as methylenedioxymethamphetamine) and depression. The aim of the present study was to investigate the incidence of self-reported depression and associated help-seeking among a sample of regular ecstasy users. A further aim was to examine the correlates of depressive symptomatology in this population. 100 regular ecstasy consumers (at least monthly use) were interviewed as part of the Ecstasy and Related Drug Reporting System in Tasmania, Australia. Participants were also administered epidemiological measures of depression (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale) and psychological distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale). One quarter (23%) of participants self-reported recent experience of depression, a rate notably greater than the general population. However, only one third of these participants had attended a health professional for this issue. A range of drug use factors (e.g. frequency and quantity of ecstasy use, frequent cannabis or methamphetamine use, intravenous drug use, polydrug use, binge drug use, harmful alcohol use, and elevated psychological dependence scores for ecstasy and methamphetamine) were associated with high levels of depressive symptomatology. These findings are consistent with an association between depressive symptomatology and ecstasy and other drug use. Harm reduction strategies which target drug use factors such as those identified in this study may also aid in the reduction of the experience of depression. Considering the low levels of help-seeking among this population, improving awareness and access to information and treatment for depression may also be important.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phenomenology and Sequelae of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Use Psychiatrists who had taken MDMA | 1992 | Qualitative study | n = 20 |
| MDMA and Sexual Behavior: Ecstasy Users' Perceptions About Sexuality and Sexual Risk Current and former users of MDMA | 2005 | Qualitative study | n = 98 |
| Perceived Benefits of MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy beyond Symptom Reduction: Qualitative Follow-Up Study of a Clinical Trial for Individuals with Treatment-Resistant PTSD Veterans, firefighters, and police officers with chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD | 2019 | Qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis | n = 19 |
| Negative Experiences on Ecstasy: The Role of Drug, Set, and Setting Current or former users of Ecstasy | 2002 | Qualitative study | n = 98 |
| A Qualitative Exploration of Relational Ethical Challenges and Practices in Psychedelic Healing Practitioners who have administered MDMA and psilocybin to clients in underground... | 2021 | Qualitative study | n = 23 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- The emerging role of psilocybin and MDMA in the treatment of mental illness Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics September 21, 2020
- Strategic control, consolidation and poly-drug use; the relative contributions to verbal memory impairment in recreational ecstasy users UTAS Research Repository August 1, 2014
- MDMA is certainly damaging after 25 years of empirical research: a reply and refutation of Doblin et al. (2014). Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental March 2014
- Independent of 5-HT1A receptors, neurons in the paraventricular hypothalamus mediate ACTH responses from MDMA. Neuroscience Letters October 25, 2013
Cites 21
- Mood and cognitive effects of ± 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ‘ecstasy’): week‐end ‘high’ followed by mid‐week low Addiction July 1, 1997
- Neurotoxicity of methylenedioxyamphetamines (MDMA; ecstasy) in humans: how strong is the evidence for persistent brain damage? Addiction February 27, 2006
- Acute, sub‐acute and long‐term subjective consequences of ‘ecstasy’ (MDMA) consumption in 430 regular users Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental October 1, 2003
- Former chronic methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ecstasy) users report mild depressive symptoms Journal of Psychopharmacology May 1, 2001
- Sub-acute effects of MDMA (±3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, "ecstasy") on mood: evidence of gender differences Psychopharmacology April 1, 2002
and 16 more in the library