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Biology 202
2002 First Paper
On Serendip
The functional consequences of ecstasy use have just begun to be explored in the past few years. Another study, published in 2000, found that heavy ecstasy users (30-1000 occasions) as opposed to non-ecstasy users, reported significantly higher scores on tests for somatisation, obsessionality, anxiety, hostility, phobic-anxiety, paranoid ideation, psychoticism, poor appetite, an restless or disturbed sleep. Another interesting effect of MDMA found was a significantly higher degree of impulsivity. This particular characteristic of ecstasy users has been found in other studies as well (3). What is the connection between the neurobiology of MDMA use and the behavior of the user? How do reduced serotonin levels result in behavior changes such as impulsivity? Various animal studies have demonstrated that MDMA selectively affects serotonin and related chemicals in the brain. Brain concentrations of TPH, 5-HIAA and serotonin were decreased in rats treated with MDMA, while dopamine and similar chemicals weren't affected at all. In another study, rats treated with MDMA were found to have a dose-dependent decrease of serotonin in the hippocampus, hypothalamus, striatum and neocortex. Another study revealed a lasting loss of serotonergic axons in the forebrain after MDMA use. Even 52 weeks after the last MDMA treatment, serotonin concentrations were significantly reduced in the cortex and hippocampus; serotonin transporter binding was also reduced (6).
While there are numerous studies with results like the aforementioned, no convincing direct causal relations between neurochemical alterations and neuropsychological parameters have been thus far established (6). An equally important question is how can scientists present these relationships to the average ecstasy user in an understandable format? Sites such as dancesafe.org (4). and ecstasy.org aim to educate and provide users with literature and the most up-to-date research on ecstasy while not condemning using it (5). Approaches like this make imperative information much more accessible to users because it is both risk-free and personal.
The direct link between the neurotoxicity of MDMA and the psychosocial behavioral effects has not yet been figured out, but it is clear that a link does exist. Perhaps one day researchers will be able to find the missing link. Until then, ecstasy users can access web sites and science journals to attempt to use the drug in the safest possible way.
Works Cited
1)Drug Abuse Home Page, a government supported cite, strongly anti-drug, and useful reference
2)NIDA Home Page, a sub-group of the NIH
3) Parrot, A.C. et al. "Psychobiological Problems in Heavy 'Ecstasy' Users (MDMA) Polydrug Users. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 60 (1999): 105-110.
4)dancesafe homepage, a great resource for youth especially, not anti-drug
5)ecstasy homepage, independent site for basic information on using ecstasy safely
6) McGuire, P. "Long Term Psychiatric and Cognitive Effects of MDMA Use." Toxicology Letters. 112-113 (2000): 153-156.