The effects of multitasking on psychological stress reactivity in recreational users of cannabis and MDMA
Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental March 1, 2012 Mark Wetherell, Katie Atherton, Jessica Grainger et al. 25 citations
Recreational use of cannabis and MDMA, beyond the period of intoxication, can negatively influence psychological responses to a multitasking stressor. In three studies, cannabis users became less alert and content after acute stress, while MDMA users became less calm. Unexpectedly, the stressor increased calmness ratings in cannabis users. Both cannabis and MDMA users reported needing more resources to complete the multitasking framework compared to controls. These findings suggest that such drug use may impair real-life situations that place high demands on cognitive resources.