Ecstasy (MDMA) and memory function: a meta‐analytic update
Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental – July 10, 2007
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Recreational ecstasy use significantly impacts memory, with moderate-to-large effects observed in short-term memory (STM) and long-term memory (LTM). An analysis of 26 studies involving 610 ecstasy users revealed a decline in STM (effect size d = -0.63) and LTM (d = -0.87). Verbal memory was notably affected, showing a large effect size of d = -1.00, while visual memory was less impacted (d = -0.27), particularly under concurrent cannabis use. Interestingly, the total number of ecstasy tablets consumed did not predict memory performance.
Abstract
Abstract A meta‐analysis was conducted to examine the impact of recreational ecstasy use on short‐term memory (STM), long‐term memory (LTM), verbal and visual memory. We located 26 studies containing memory data for ecstasy and non‐ecstasy users from which effect sizes could be derived. The analyses provided measures of STM and LTM in 610 and 439 ecstasy users and revealed moderate‐to‐large effect sizes (Cohen's d ) of d = −0.63 and d = −0.87, respectively. The difference between STM versus LTM was non‐significant. The effect size for verbal memory was large ( d = −1.00) and significantly larger than the small effect size for visual memory ( d = −0.27). Indeed, our analyses indicate that visual memory may be affected more by concurrent cannabis use. Finally, we found that the total lifetime number of ecstasy tablets consumed did not significantly predict memory performance. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.