Repeated use of the recreational drug ecstasy (MDMA) is linked to sleep, mood, and anxiety disturbances, elevated impulsiveness, memory deficits, and attention problems that may persist for up to 2 years after stopping. Experimental studies in animals and humans indicate that MDMA damages serotonergic neurons. In a subset of humans, particularly adolescents, serotonin depletion from MDMA use may hasten or enhance vulnerability to a range of neuropsychiatric problems. The reviewed studies provide substantial evidence that MDMA causes neuronal damage, but more research is needed to determine if this destruction can have long-term or permanent neuropsychiatric consequences.
A review of the evidence for mindfulness-based interventions, compassion-based interventions (CBIs), and loving-kindness meditation (LKM) finds that while mindfulness-based stress reduction and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy are well-supported by many trials, only seven randomized controlled trials have been completed on CBIs and LKM. In those trials, CBIs were effective for psychotic disorders, affective disorders with psychotic features, major depressive disorder, eating disorders, and patients with recent suicide attempts; LKM was effective for chronic pain; and a combination helped borderline personality disorder. Nonrandomized studies suggest CBIs and LKM may also help depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and PTSD, but more research is needed to confirm these effects and determine their role as standalone or adjunct treatments.