Cognitive functioning associated with acute and subacute effects of classic psychedelics and MDMA - a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Scientific reports June 26, 2024 Lukas A Basedow, Tomislav Majić, Nicklas Jakob Hafiz et al. 13 citations
A systematic review and meta-analysis examined how psychedelics and MDMA affect cognitive performance during acute drug effects and the sub-acute (afterglow) window. Acute psychedelic use impairs attention and executive function, while MDMA primarily impairs memory, leaving executive functions and attention unaffected. During the sub-acute period (at least 24 hours after acute effects subside), executive functioning and creativity may be increased following psychedelics, but no such effects were observed for MDMA. These findings can inform harm reduction recommendations for recreational use and support differential therapeutic approaches for psychedelics and MDMA.