Sub-acute effects of MDMA (±3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, "ecstasy") on mood: evidence of gender differences
Psychopharmacology April 1, 2002 Suzanne L. Verheyden, J. A. Hadfield, Tara Calin et al. 118 citations
Recreational users of MDMA ('ecstasy') show sex-dependent mood changes days after taking the drug. Women who used MDMA reported higher depression scores four days later compared to male users and non-using controls, and their mid-week depression correlated with the amount of MDMA taken. Both men and women reported lower aggression on the night of use but significantly higher aggression mid-week; in men, the increase in aggression correlated with the weekend dose. No association was found between mood and long-term use patterns. The findings suggest that central serotonin function may be temporarily reduced after acute MDMA use, with women more susceptible to mid-week low mood and both sexes showing increased aggression.