Among 49 undergraduate volunteers, self-reported Ecstasy use closely matched MDMA traces found in hair samples. Both self-report and hair analysis predicted lower happiness and higher stress ratings. Self-reported use, but not hair analysis, was also linked to lower tension. The findings suggest the Internet can effectively complement traditional laboratory studies on recreational drug effects.
Recreational use of MDMA (ecstasy) increases cortisol levels, a marker of stress, both immediately and over longer periods. In laboratory settings, acute use raises cortisol by 100-200%, while dance clubbers combining the drug with dancing experience an 800% increase. Abstinent users' three-month hair samples show cortisol levels 400% higher than controls. Chronic users exhibit heightened cortisol in stressful settings, deficits in complex cognitive tasks, and altered brain activation patterns suggesting increased mental effort. Mood deficits include more daily stress and higher depression in susceptible individuals. Changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis may explain these neuropsychobiological stress effects.