Anxiety, depression, and behavioral symptoms of executive dysfunction in ecstasy users: contributions of polydrug use.
Krista Lisdahl Medina, Paula K Shear
Drug and Alcohol Dependence March 16, 2007 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2006.09.003 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 65 |
| Population | Men and women with a wide range of ecstasy use, including 17 marijuana-using controls |
| Measures | Frontal Systems Behavioral Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for adults, Beck Depression Inventory-2nd edition |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression MDMA |
| Key findings | Although 19-63% of ecstasy users showed clinically elevated psychological symptoms and executive dysfunction, frequency of ecstasy use did not predict these symptoms. Other drug use (alcohol, marijuana, opioids, and inhalants) significantly predicted psychological symptoms in this polydrug-using sample. |
Abstract
Given ecstasy's (MDMA) potential serotonergic neurotoxicity, it is plausible that regular ecstasy users would have an elevated prevalence of behavioral executive dysfunction or mood symptoms. However, recent studies have found that the relationship between ecstasy use and psychological symptoms was no longer significant after controlling for marijuana use (e.g., Morgan et al., 2002). The goal of the present study was to examine the relationship between ecstasy exposure and self-reported executive functioning and psychological symptoms after controlling for gender, ethnicity, and other drug use. Data were collected from 65 men and women with a wide range of ecstasy use (including 17 marijuana-using controls). Participants were administered the Frontal Systems Behavioral Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for adults, and the Beck Depression Inventory-2nd edition. Although 19-63% of the ecstasy users demonstrated clinically elevated psychological symptoms, frequency of ecstasy use did not predict the psychological symptoms. No gender differences or interactions were observed. These results revealed that, although ecstasy users demonstrate elevated levels of psychological symptoms and executive dysfunction, these symptoms are not statistically associated with their ecstasy consumption. Instead, other drug use (alcohol, marijuana, opioids, and inhalants) significantly predict psychological symptoms in this sample of polydrug users.
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 |
| Ecstasy (MDMA) and its Relationship with Self- Report Depression, Anxiety and Schizotypy Participants divided into three groups: no ecstasy use, light ecstasy users (fewer than... | 2010 | Observational cohort | |
| 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 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 10
- Differential long-term effects of MDMA on the serotoninergic system and hippocampal cell proliferation in 5-HTT knock-out vs. wild-type mice The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology July 9, 2008
- MDMA and MDMA-Assisted Therapy. American Journal of Psychiatry 2025
- Hallucinogen Use Disorders Among Adult Users of MDMA and Other Hallucinogens American Journal on Addictions September 3, 2008
- Associations between MDMA/ecstasy use and physical health in a U.S. population-based survey sample Journal of Psychopharmacology October 1, 2022
- Ecstasy (MDMA) and its Relationship with Self- Report Depression, Anxiety and Schizotypy Clínica y Salud 2010
and 5 more in the library
Cites 19
- Positron emission tomographic evidence of toxic effect of MDMA (“Ecstasy”) on brain serotonin neurons in human beings The Lancet October 1, 1998
- Memory impairment in abstinent MDMA ("Ecstasy") users Neurology December 1, 1998
- Human psychopharmacology of Ecstasy (MDMA): a review of 15 years of empirical research Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental December 1, 2001
- Altered Serotonin Innervation Patterns in the Forebrain of Monkeys Treated with (±)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Seven Years Previously: Factors Influencing Abnormal Recovery Journal of Neuroscience June 15, 1999
- Mood and cognitive effects of ± 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ‘ecstasy’): week‐end ‘high’ followed by mid‐week low Addiction July 1, 1997
and 14 more in the library