Is Recreational Ecstasy (MDMA) Use Associated with Higher Levels of Depressive Symptoms?
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs March 1, 2007 Casey R. Guillot 26 citations
Recreational use of MDMA (Ecstasy) may be linked to long-term mood problems due to its effects on serotonin. This review of 22 studies found that only three showed significantly higher depression scores in Ecstasy users compared to people who used cannabis or other drugs. Most studies had methodological flaws, and depression levels in Ecstasy users were not much higher than in the general population. The evidence for a specific link between Ecstasy use and depression is unconvincing, but using Ecstasy along with other illicit drugs is associated with higher depression. Possible causes include polydrug use, MDMA's effects on serotonin, other drugs' individual effects, combined drug effects, and preexisting depression differences.