Dancing hot on Ecstasy: physical activity and thermal comfort ratings are associated with the memory and other psychobiological problems reported by recreational MDMA users.
A C Parrott, J Rodgers, Tom Buchanan, J Ling, Thomas Heffernan, Andrew Scholey
Human psychopharmacology July 2006 DOI: 10.1002/hup.773 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational survey (internet questionnaire study) Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 206 |
| Population | Unpaid recreational Ecstasy/MDMA users, modal age 16-24 |
| Measures | Prospective Memory Questionnaire (PMQ) |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Key findings | Dancing 'all the time' while on Ecstasy was associated with significantly more prospective memory problems and with more complaints of depression, memory, concentration, and organizational difficulties afterward. Feeling hot was associated with poor concentration during comedown and with mood fluctuation and impulsivity off-drug, while memory problems showed a curvilinear relationship with thermal self-ratings, being higher in those who felt very hot and those who did not feel hot. |
Abstract
Non-drug factors such as ambient temperature can heighten the adverse effects of MDMA (3,4-methylendioxymethamphetamine) in animals. We assessed whether dancing and feeling hot on Ecstasy would be associated with more psychobiological problems in recreational users. In an internet study, 206 unpaid participants (modal age 16-24) reported that they had used recreational Ecstasy/MDMA. They completed a drug use questionnaire, the Prospective Memory Questionnaire (PMQ), questions about dancing and feeling hot when on Ecstasy, and psychobiological problems afterwards. Those who danced 'all the time' when on Ecstasy, reported significantly more PMQ memory problems than the less intensive dancers. Prolonged dancing was also associated with more complaints of depression, memory problems, concentration and organizational difficulties afterwards. Feeling hot when on Ecstasy was associated with poor concentration in the comedown period, and with mood fluctuation and impulsivity off-drug. PMQ long-term problems demonstrated a significant curvilinear relationship with thermal self-ratings; more memory problems were noted by those who felt very hot, and by those who did not feel hot when on Ecstasy. Non-drug factors such as dancing and feeling hot are associated with the incidence of psychobiological problems reported by recreational Ecstasy/MDMA users.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recreational MDMA use in Sydney: a profile of ‘Ecstasy’ users and their experiences with the drug Recreational Ecstasy users recruited via snowball peer network | 1992 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 100 |
| Reducedin vivobinding to the serotonin transporter in the cerebral cortex of MDMA (‘ecstasy’) users Male regular ecstasy users and well-matched controls | 1999 | Cross-sectional association study | n = 20 |
| Patterns of simultaneous polysubstance use in drug using university students Drug-using university students | 2006 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 149 |
| Patterns of recreational drug use at dance events in Edinburgh, Scotland Drug users at dance events in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, aged 16-47, 80% between 18 and... | 2001 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 122 |
| Acute, sub‐acute and long‐term subjective consequences of ‘ecstasy’ (MDMA) consumption in 430 regular users Regular MDMA users | 2003 | Cross-sectional study | n = 466 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 23
- Human psychobiology of MDMA or ‘Ecstasy’: an overview of 25 years of empirical research Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental July 1, 2013
- Dance Clubbing on MDMA and during Abstinence from Ecstasy/MDMA: Prospective Neuroendocrine and Psychobiological Changes Neuropsychobiology 2008
- Cortisol and 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine: Neurohormonal Aspects of Bioenergetic Stress in Ecstasy Users Neuropsychobiology 2009
- Effects of (±) 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) on Sleep and Circadian Rhythms TheScientificWorldJournal 2007
- Acute neuropsychological effects of MDMA and ethanol (co-)administration in healthy volunteers Psychopharmacology February 28, 2008
and 18 more in the library
Cites 32
- 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
- Small Changes in Ambient Temperature Cause Large Changes in 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-Induced Serotonin Neurotoxicity and Core Body Temperature in the Rat Journal of Neuroscience July 1, 1998
- Impaired cognitive performance in drug free users of recreational ecstasy (MDMA) Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry June 1, 2000
- Reducedin vivobinding to the serotonin transporter in the cerebral cortex of MDMA (‘ecstasy’) users The British Journal of Psychiatry July 1, 1999
and 27 more in the library