Dissociable Effects of a Single Dose of Ecstasy (MDMA) on Psychomotor Skills and Attentional Performance
Journal of Psychopharmacology – December 01, 2003
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
A single dose of MDMA (75 mg) enhanced psychomotor performance in twelve healthy recreational users, improving movement speed and tracking in both single and divided attention tasks. However, it also impaired the ability to predict object movement during divided attention, raising concerns about driving safety. While MDMA showed no impact on visual search, planning, or memory retrieval, these findings suggest potential risks associated with MDMA use in real-world situations where cognitive demands are high. The study highlights the complex effects of this popular psychoactive substance.
Abstract
Ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA) is a psychoactive recreational drug widely used by young people visiting dance parties, and has been associated with poor cognitive function. The current study assessed the influence of a single dose of MDMA 75 mg and alcohol 0.5 g/kg on cognition, psychomotor performance and driving-related task performance. Twelve healthy recreational ecstasy users participated in an experimental study conducted according to a double-blind, double-dummy, placebo-controlled three-way cross-over design. MDMA improved psychomotor performance, such as movement speed and tracking performance in a single task, as well as in a divided attention task. MDMA impaired the ability to predict object movement under divided attention. However, the inability to accurately predict object movement after MDMA may indicate impairment of particular performance skills relevant to driving. There was no effect of MDMA on visual search, planning or retrieval from semantic memory.