Ecstasy-Related Memory Impairment can be Permanent

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note the small sample size used in this study.

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Ecstasy-related memory impairment can be permanent

Wed Mar 22, 2006 12:33 PM ET
By Anne Harding

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Taking the drug Ecstasy can impair memory and learning, but giving up the drug can stop the slide in mental capacity, a new study shows. However, researchers also found evidence that in heavy Ecstasy users, the effects on memory may persist even after they quit.

"The message should be loud and clear that if you're using a lot, you're not going to recover learning and memory," Dr. Konstantine K. Zakzanis of the University of Toronto at Scarborough, the study's lead author, told Reuters Health.

Zakzanis and his colleagues had previously shown that people who used Ecstasy, also known by the chemical name MDMA, experienced a decline in their memory over a one-year period. The 15 study participants' reported using the drug from 3 to 225 times over the course of the year.

The researchers looked at the same 15 people after another year had passed. Seven were still using the drug, while eight had become abstinent. The researchers evaluated their memory and learning using three tests, including the Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test, which is designed to evaluate everyday memory function.

In all of the former users who had been abstinent for at least 32 weeks, test scores improved compared with their scores one year previously. However, some individuals' scores stayed the same. Current users showed continued decline, with more frequent and longer-term use of the drug tied to greater loss of memory and learning function.

The worst impairments were seen in episodic memory, meaning the sort of memory a person uses while watching a news story on television and then trying to describe it to another person later.

"The general conclusions that one can make are that if you stop using, your memory won't get worse," Zakzanis said. "Depending on how much you've used, your memory may or may not recover."

Zakzanis pointed out that damage to memory and learning is just one harmful aspect of Ecstasy use, which also has been tied to depression.

SOURCE: Neurology 2006;66:740-741.
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsa...112_RTRUKOC_0_US-ECSTASY-PERMANENT.xml&rpc=22
 
Let's not forget that "ecstacy" is rarely just a pill of MDMA. It is commonly mixed with other substances, "meth, speed, etc.", and people commonly use other drugs with the pills (pot, alcohol, etc.) which could certainly play a role in these "results". Just more BS....
 
Honestly, lets try and have a bipartisan discussion here without the typical bluelight bandwagon movement where everybody discredits a study illuminating the negatives of drug use irrespective of the drug in question. Yes the sample study is small, and as such, we can't say with any real degree of certainty (pending further studies) that there are long term, irreversible memory issues with frequent usage of mdma. However, anecdotal evidence as well numerous studies (whether you choose to believe them or not) have illustrated a decrease in memory and cognitive abilities with habitual usage. Now, whilst it'd be naive to say that this is conclusive, it'd be equally naive to discount the argument that frequent consumption of mdma results in cognitive decline. I've personally seen it in individuals and whether you want to consciously acknowledge it or not, mdma is not the wonder drug many might make it out to be. Don't get me wrong, I love a night out on the pingers but it just feels like i'd be lying to myself if I said it wasnt affecting me adversely. Obviously the frequency of use is going to be a factor but yeah, let's try and find a sensible middle-ground instead of crying wolf the entire time.
 
^
Along with the methodology concerns, there is also a miserable track record of drug researchers exaggerating results, like the Ricaurte MDMA studies. There are very good reasons for people to be suspicious here. Using 15 people for this type of study is nearly comparable to using anecdotal evidence. It also seems like the article equates 32 weeks with permanent, and that if cognitive levels are lower after 32 weeks of abstinence, then that's they will be for life. Doesn't seem right to me.

I understand that there are negatives to drug use, but I would like to see some good science that explains this.
 
I'm with numb on this one. I hate to say it, but ecstasy (and by ecstasy I mean street pills, not pure MDMA), has been shown in many studies to have a negative effect on the brain. I'm pretty sure even MAPS has admitted that this is true. The questions you need to ask yourself are whether or not you find it worth it, and whether or not the brain damage is significant enough to have an effect on your life. If you pill a reasonable amount of times, say no more than 20 times a year, there should be nothing to worry about. But saying that rolling at the club every weekend does not effect your brain is just plain fucking rediculous.


EDIT: I still agree with everyone that the methodologies used are up for question and that results are almost always exagerated.
 
Aye, I'll agree that 32 weeks seems kinda short. If it took someone two years of abusing e to get to a certain point (as far as impaired cognition goes), then it wouldn't surprise me if it took them longer than 8 months to get back to where they were pre-use.

And hey, maybe they never will get back. Wouldn't surprise me at all. MDMA is an excellent drug, but like all it really needs to be respected if you care about your head. It's powerful, and it can fuck people up bigtime when they use it too much. 225 times a year is beyond ridiculous. Drop the 5 and you're getting a little more reasonable (still too much, IMO). But without another follow up at a much later time, how much do you really know impairment is permanent? Saying it'll impair you for a long time is one thing. Saying it'll impair you forever is a whole different game.
 
Zakzanis and his colleagues had previously shown that people who used Ecstasy, also known by the chemical name MDMA, experienced a decline in their memory over a one-year period. The 15 study participants' reported using the drug from 3 to 225 times over the course of the year.
Click to expand...

225 times a year is massive. 15 participants is too small. 32weeks is too little abstinence - how did they test their abstinance?

It's like taking 15 heavy use alcoholics and doing the same tests - I'm SURE that most if not all will not be able to recover 100% of the mental capacity they had BEFORE they became alcoholics. The professor wasted his time and his University's money.

In all of the former users who had been abstinent for at least 32 weeks, test scores improved compared with their scores one year previously. However, some individuals' scores stayed the same. Current users showed continued decline, with more frequent and longer-term use of the drug tied to greater loss of memory and learning function.
Click to expand...

Um. Did they test these users before massive MDMA use? How do they know that they just didn't have shitty memory before their MASSIVE doses of MDMA?

Though I suspect that *heavy* MDMA may cause semi-permanent negative changes in the brain - that would be true for almost all drugs taken *225* times a year and at or above "recreational" doses!!! Alcohol, cigarettes, stims, heroin, you name it!

Also - as some people mentioned above - if somebody did "ecstasy" 225 times a year, there are bound to be good percentage of them containing methamphetamine - or other more harmful drugs.

When o when will somebody study the effects of moderate usage with proper methodology?
 
comf0rtably numb said:
Honestly, lets try and have a bipartisan discussion here without the typical bluelight bandwagon movement where everybody discredits a study illuminating the negatives of drug use irrespective of the drug in question. Yes the sample study is small, and as such, we can't say with any real degree of certainty (pending further studies) that there are long term, irreversible memory issues with frequent usage of mdma. However, anecdotal evidence as well numerous studies (whether you choose to believe them or not) have illustrated a decrease in memory and cognitive abilities with habitual usage. Now, whilst it'd be naive to say that this is conclusive, it'd be equally naive to discount the argument that frequent consumption of mdma results in cognitive decline. I've personally seen it in individuals and whether you want to consciously acknowledge it or not, mdma is not the wonder drug many might make it out to be. Don't get me wrong, I love a night out on the pingers but it just feels like i'd be lying to myself if I said it wasnt affecting me adversely. Obviously the frequency of use is going to be a factor but yeah, let's try and find a sensible middle-ground instead of crying wolf the entire time.
Click to expand...

I agree, however it is impossible to have constructive discussion about a study that was a complete hack and cannot be scientifically substantiated. If this study was done on say 5000 people, who were administered PURE MDMA in specific dosages VS placebo, and then the long term effects were properly asessed then we could have something to talk about. I don't dispute the fact that MDMA may have negative effects on memory, but "studies" like this one do not help to further the cause, only discredit the scientists involved and make people even more sceptical about "science" involved.
 
wait, what did the first post in this thread say?
I forgot because my memory has been irreparably damaged by drugs.
Oh, and even if I did remember, my thoughts would be so disorganized by the crazy pills I take, that I would be unable to coherently explain it to you.
 
^ I do, however, find it totally funny when I COMPLETELY lose my train of thought when on MDMA. Being 100% focused on a deep conversation, then getting distracted by a flashing light or something. then "poof", forgot last 5 minutes of talking.
 
not to jump on the bandwagon but i'm jumping on the bandwagon.

this was not an experiment. this was a report.

we could all have our opinions about this. it provides nothing scientifically though.
certainly we should just search and append such posts to another thread in anotrher forum.

however this is in the "media" so perhaps we should talk about why such articles are posted in this case. theres no point in trying to dig into this scientifically. socially would probably be more interesting and diverse.


SP?
 
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