Cyc
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2000
- Messages
- 11,370
Negative Afteraffects of Ecstacy
In response to the many recent posts in this forum regarding afteraffects, and to kyk off the new forum highlighting the dangers of Ecstacy, I would like to clear up some definitions and shed some light on the cause of suffering for those complaining of excessive anxiety and similar ailments.
Before you read on, I would like so add that I have recovered approx. 90% from the adverse symptoms caused from ecstacy use and that I understand exactly the fear that others are going through. Mine started from what was a panic attack, and then solidified into a hell I was able to slowly recover from in the following months.
After weeks of research, I have compiled enough information to present what I have gathered. It's important to note that many studies are inconclusive regarding afteraffects of Ecstacy due to the complex chemical reactions that occur in different regions of the brain. Some of the information here is theory derived from personal experience and some from research I've taken from various internet sources. This FAQ will be constantly updated as information unfolds concerning their cause and origins.
Psychological and emotional affictions
Paranoia vs. Hypervigilance
Hypervigilance: Enhanced state of sensory sensitivity accompanied by an exaggerated intensity of behaviors whose purpose it is to detect threats.
What people here are suffering from is not paranoia, but what's known as hypervigilance. This enhanced state of sensory input takes place when someone becomes acutely aware of the external world, and falsely interprets what their periphreal vision is examining. What their eye would normally pass over as insubstantial, becomes unusual. This state is also normally accompanied by anxiety,
Paranoia: A condition where the patient suffers from delusions and threats that are not normally related to their external perceptions.
This is the term that gets thrown around most often on this board and with it comes a very ominous reputation. Self-explanitory, this term is not the anxious and dwelling emotions that come with drug abuse, but a genuine mental disorder in predisposed and ill patients.
(Note:The symptoms of hypervigilance are also sensitive to a person's immunity and predisposition to show these traits. The symptoms of hypervigilance may only show up after excessive drug use or not at all, depending on the individual)
But how do these symptoms come about, and how do they relate to drug use?
The human brain comes with various instinctual defence mechanisms carried over from primal evolution to protect against and detect life-threatening or harmful situations -- The most prominent of these is known as the 'Fight-or-Flight' response, which reacts in a potentially harmful and intense situation by 'switching on,' so to speak in order to apathize the person from fear, anger and other useless emotions in order to act quickly. (If you've ever been in a fist fight or extremely frightened you will recognize this as 'blacking-out' from reality.)
Ecstacy use, while causing massive surges of seratonin to release, also causes these instictual functions to become disoriented when trying to identify external threats. This confusion often carries over from an intense drug-induced high and gives the feeling of hyper-reality. -- If you always seem on edge or get startled easily, then it is the prolonged altered state of this response that is the cause. (Commonly referred to as 'sketchiness.') In most cases, this feeling goes away after a few days, and your surroundings resume their normal appearance. In excessive users, this state becomes common and is accepted in its varying degrees.
In extreme stages, this malfunctioning response can also cause symptoms of depersonalization and derealization to the sufferer.
Depersonalization -- The feeling of not being yourself or that your limbs or speech do not belong to you. You may not recognize yourself in the mirror or are unfamiliar with your own actions. -- This can also lead to extreme depression and lowering of ones self-esteem.
Derealization -- The feeling that the world around you is unfamiliar. You feel that your surroundings and perception have changed but cannot attribute it to anything specific.
(Note: Both of these symptoms are extremely difficult to identify and relate to a physician. Hence, many sufferers will go untreated for fear of being misdiagnosed)
Depression
This is the most commonly diagnosed symptom of ecstacy use and can be treated by the use of SSRI, or MAOI antidepressants. (Warning: MAOI's and MDXX are a very harmful contraindiction.) Depression is usually closely related to the mentioned symptoms when being diagnosed but it can also effect a person on its own with none of the other adverse reactions occuring.
Sleeping Problems
When attaining R.E.M sleep, the body experiences muscle twitching, sleep paralysis, and if conscious, auditory and visual hallucinations. This might relate to Alpha pattern abnormalities observed in EEG scans of depressed patients. If you're still functioning on a conscious level when this state occurs or certain symptoms of this state such as sleep paralysis, it can be quite alarming and disorienting.
I theorize that the depression caused by MDMA and changes or abnormalities in brain chemical flow may disrupt this natural cycle.
Also, this article explains in more complex detail the patterns of sleep and its different stages. http://home.epix.net/~tcannon1/Physioweek7.htm
These are the symptoms shown in narcoleptics.
quote:
(Note: 5HTP is also used as a sleeping aid for its calming effects[/b]
Short and long term memory loss in relation with MDMA
I really wish I could help more with this one, and this is a frequently discussed topic of interest. For a more thorough documentation, please visit www.erowid.org/chemicals/mdma/references/mdma_overview_memory1.shtml for direct references to the articles quoted.
Taken from www.erowid.com
In trying to answer this, we looked at a collection of 7 recent studies which attempt to address this topic. A list of all the studies we knew of on this topic as of March 1, 2000 is shown below. It is frustrating for interested readers who examine the record on MDMA associated memory disruptions that much of the research seems to contain fundamental flaws which make it possible that all of the negative findings are a function of selection bias or other errors.
Bolla - "Memory impairment in abstinent MDMA ('Ecstasy') users."
Dafters - "Level of use of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or Ecstasy) in humans correlates with EEG power and coherence."
Krystal - "Chronic 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) Use: Effects on Mood and Neuropsychological Function?"
McCann - "Cognitive performance in (+/-) 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy") users: a controlled study."
Morgan - "Memory deficits associated with recreational use of "ecstasy" (MDMA)."
Parrott - "Ecstasy (MDMA) effects upon mood and cognition: before, during and after a Saturday night dance."
Reneman - "Memory disturbances in "Ecstasy" users are correlated with an altered brain serotonin neurotransmission."
The data on the subject to date comes from Reneman, Morgan, McCann/Bolla/Ricaurte, Dafters, Parrott, & Krystal. Each of these researchers presents a small piece of a growing puzzle. Unfortunately the various research published by the McCann, Bolla, & Ricaurte lab contains very little of their actual data and instead includes only small samples of highly processed statistics. The reader is left relying on possibly incomplete, narrow, or incorrect analyses. We can't know because they don't allow anyone else to examine their results.
In some studies, little or no significant difference between MDMA users and controls were found, while in others seemingly dramatic memory or attention-task deficits were found. In Reneman's recent paper in Psychopharmacology, the MDMA users' short term memory scores all fell at or below the lowest score of the control subjects. In McCann's "cognitive performance" paper published in 1999 Psychopharmacology the 22 MDMA users' scores averaged 10-35% lower on several of the tests they were given, but the authors wrote "differences in cognitive function seen in MDMA users and controls were quite subtle, and only detected using a sensitive battery of cognitive tests."
In Bolla's 1998 Neurology paper (published with McCann & Ricaurte and presumably conducted in the same lab), the memory effects seem contradictory and the paper states that "when memory function in the two groups was compared without taking the average monthly MDMA dose into account, differences were not found." The researchers also showed that some of the heaviest users of MDMA had the best memory scores on one of the two tests.
In Morgan's 1999 Psychopharmacology paper, the heavy MDMA users studied averaged about 25% worse on both immediate and delayed recall tests, but he also found contradictory data. The heavy MDMA users who had abstained for at least 6 months before the test scored 10%+ higher than the controls (unfortunately due to the sample size this was only 3 people). Most of the heavy MDMA users studied had abstained for less than a month before the tests. Certainly we could chalk up any scores to individual variation, but the entire sample size for the heavy MDMA users is only 25. Perhaps all of the results can be accounted for by selection bias and individual variation.
The 1998 Parrott Psychopharmacology paper again showed that the 15 MDMA users had worse memory scores on 3 separate tests, but the problem with this and other attempts to study this problem is that the comparison group selection determines the outcome of the comparison and there is no actual 'control' group. This does not invalidate the results, but it weakens them.
What does all of this mean? Where we are in the winter of 2000:
Most of the research published so far has been conducted by researchers attempting to show damage to memory or other attention-based mental tasts. Experimental bias in favor of finding deficits may affect the validity of the extrapolated results.
The study sample sizes have all been very small and the subjects hand chosen by the researchers themselves. Despite *huge* populations of users available in every city of every MDMA using country, no broad based studies have taken place. Hopefully these will come soon to confirm or contradict the memory related risks.
While the memory scores of MDMA users were shown by a couple of the studies to be between 20 and 50% lower than control subjects, the MDMA using subjects themselves did not report any decline that their memory or cognitive abilities. The researchers also report that even the heaviest of MDMA users do not show obvious signs of impaired.
Some research has found there to be no significant difference in cognitive scores between MDMA users and controls.
None of the research is prospective, all of it has been retrospective. No research so far has tested people's memories before and after their MDMA use to determine that it does, in fact, get worse. This means that the differences in scores could be part of a set of pre-existing differences. There could be characteristics which predispose certain individuals to want to use MDMA more heavily.
In some of the research, the education levels of the subjects are matched poorly. In these cases, MDMA users are matched to controls with *higher* levels of education. This could result in a bias towards worse scores for the MDMA users.
Less or no effects on memory and cognition are seen in moderate or light users of MDMA. The MDMA users who are found to have noticeably lower scores have generally been the heaviest users with total lifetime usage in the 200+ range, average dosages per session are often estimated at above 300mg (up to a gram per day), sometimes using 6 or more times per month.
Confusion between long term and short term effects of MDMA confuses the data. While most of the studies suggest their findings may show long term damage, they required only a very minimal (2 or 4 week) period of abstinence from use. Some MDMA users in the general population report feeling after-effects from single MDMA sessions for 2-4 weeks (or more). In order to reasonably make claims about long term memory disruptions, users should be studied after a minimum of two months abstinence if not more.
Although most of the research does not address this, reported short term effects of MDMA use do include attention and memory disruption, as well as depression, mood swings, and other undesireable mental effects for some people. It is not at all hard to imagine that these effects might last for longer periods of time in some portion of those who use MDMA and might occur with more severity for those with extremely heavy use patterns.
Articles in the press, comments by overzealous researchers, and statements by prohibitionist government institutions exaggerate the negative findings and certainty of their evidence.
Conclusion
Despite the uncertainty of and problems with the research published as of March 1, 2000, there is enough evidence to think that heavy MDMA use may cause medium or long term disruptions in short term memory and/or some types of mental fuction. The data so far is too weak to say for certain whether this is true or what percentage of users would be affected. Also, to date, the evidence may suggest that if MDMA use causes any memory or attention changes, the changes are subtle and are more likely the more frequent the use, the higher the dose, and/or the larger the lifetime total use. Unfortunately even the correlation between increased use and increased change is uncertain.
The data is far from conclusive, but certainly suggests caution for those who use MDMA regularly or heavily
Alrite, wise guy, but why did all this come on so suddenly?
There are a couple of theories I have as to why the symptoms of hypervigilance, DP, DR and depression come on so abruptly and sometimes days after any drugs are consumed.
None of us know exactly how MDMA and its close relatives (MDA, MDEA) react with the brain and what all the long-term affects are. However, I have been given the liberty to hypothosize.
Both of my theories are post-traumatic disorders. The reason why this made the most sense to me is because an intense high such as large quantities of MDXX, is quite a shock to to the cerebral functions and I believe that it somehow triggers the Fight-or-Flight response discussed earlier into reacting with your connizant mindstate, like a shifter of a manual car stuck in 5th gear.
Myself, and the people who I have spoken with online have observed visual distortions such as magnification and disturbances in the periphreal vision and in some, aural hallucinations. All of these correspond with ecstacy use. Other symptoms include eating, sleeping, coordination, memory and speech problems.
Post-Trauma Vision Syndrome:
A person who has suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or cerebral vascular accident (CVA) may often experience difficulties with balance, spatial orientation, coordination, cognitive function, and speech.
Above is the definition for a disorder usually attributed to persons who have suffered brain damage from concussions or lesions affecting the brain. Oddly enough, it also corresponds with the symptoms brought about from ecstacy use.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a natural emotional reaction to a deeply shocking and disturbing experience.
The symptoms of PTSD include:
sleep problems including nightmares and waking early (Narcoleptic fits)
flashbacks and replays which you are unable to switch off
impaired memory, forgetfulness, inability to recall names, facts and dates that are well known to you
impaired concentration
impaired learning ability (eg through poor memory and inability to concentrate)
hypervigilance (feels like but is not paranoia)
exaggerated startle response
irritability, sudden intense anger, occasional violent outbursts
panic attacks
hypersensitivity, whereby every remark is perceived as critical
obsessiveness - the experience takes over your life, you can't get it out of your mind
joint and muscle pains which have no obvious cause
feelings of nervousness, anxiety
reactive depression (not endogenous depression)
excessive levels of shame, embarrassment and guilt
undue fear
low self-esteem and shattered self-confidence
emotional numbness, anhedonia (inability to feel love or joy)
feelings of detachment
avoidance of anything that reminds you of the experience
physical and mental paralysis at any reminder of the experience
(Fact:In the UK, almost a million people are suffering the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Above states the symptoms that bear an uncanny resemblance to the aferaffects of drug abuse. The stress that they mention can be caused by any external source, and in my situation was a negative reaction to an extremely bad experience with meth, followed two weeks later an intense experience with MDA. In all of the subjects that I interviewed, most of these symptoms were apparent, as well as the visual.
Physical abnormalities
This section is a bit of an enigma to many of us since there are very few conclusive studies in regards to the physical complaints resulting from the use of Ecstacy.
Sore Back
This question is brought up quite often, and is constantly subject to the myth that ecstacy affects spinal fluid. All educated sources will confirm that this is indeed a myth, and a sore back is more often than not, result from the exertion of long hours of dancing with a chemically increased pain threshold.
Electrical feeling: Shocks and tingles in the head or back
This complaint has also been discussed intermittantly in the Q and A forum. Tt would seem to correspond with seretonin fluctuations found in those coming off of SSRI antidepressants. There is evidence that the changing levels of seretonin trigger this peculiar sensation in different parts of the body. (More info. is forthcoming)
Pimples or rashes
Submitted by Drug Dustbin
I was in contact with professor Uwe Wollina, who is one of the authors of
the Ecstasy pimples - a new facial dermatosis -article published in Dermatology.
He told me that he has encountered only one additional case last year, but he has
heard that the pimples occur more often indeed.
Here's a short quote from his e-mail to me:
"I would not say that the rash is the first sign of an increased risk of severe side-effects but may come along with them. To my belief, XTC pimples are far more common than reported but have been overseen because of lack of importance for prognosis". Endquote
Up to 10 per cent of Caucasians lack an enzyme that protects the liver from damage caused by ecstasy.
An article found at www.brainmachines.com suggests evidence that the lack of CYP2D6 liver enzyme may be linked with rashes and e.
Weight Loss
Seretonin, while key in regulating sleeping patterns and mood, also has a role to play in appetite. 5HTP, an herbal supplement primarily used here for pre and postload to curb depression, has also been used as a dietary supplement. This suggests that any increase in seretonin is somehow relative to decrease in appetite. There is also evidence to suggest long term effects on metabolism, as your body fights to compensate after discontinuing use of ecstacy.
Gotcha, but what can I do to make this shit go away, or prevent it from happening to me?
The fact is, folks is that when this hits, it will literally consume your life. You are constantly obsessed with your mental condition and desperately search for ways to stop it, all the while dealing with much personal blame and guilt.
There are two routes to take, depending on your own discretion: Prescription and non-prescription.
Prescription Anti-depressants, anti-convulsants, Benzos, etc.. - More than a few people on this board and in the drug-consuming free world have taken this method in attempts to retrieve their former sanity. I don't condemn or condone this method, but just keep in mind that drugs are what got you here in the first place.
Remember, it's important not to self-diagnose. If you're unable to handle your altered state, it's important that you see a physician as early as possible and let him/her prescribe and/or refer you as they see fit.
Non-prescription - This obviously isn't a quick answer to your problems but it was my personal choice and I'm happy that I chose it. The solution is abstinance. Do not consume any drugs, (including alcohol) that will distort the reality that you're attempting to retrieve.
Is MDXX the only substance that can cause this?
With most of the people I have spoke with, LSD leans more toward the visual disruptions and Methamphetamines are the leading cause of hypervigilance and anxiety. MDXX is the only substance I have encountered that causes all of the symptoms cited above.
Will I get better?
Barring an unfortunate predisposition and assuming you've quit using, then I can tell you first hand that things will sort out in time.
I am currently taking an SSRI and I'm feeling much better, can't I just have one little tiny pill?
NO, Dammit! And the same goes for subsyndromal epilepsy sufferers, and those who have a family history of mental vulnerabilities. I have personally read some accounts of people suffering from OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) having thier symptoms worsen after using ecstacy -- It's important to take this into consideration before you decide to dose if you're unhealthy.
While that concluded this FAQ, if you have any personal questions or comments, feel free to mail me at [email protected]
[This message has been edited by Kyk (edited 16 March 2001).]
[This message has been edited by Kyk (edited 16 March 2001).]
In response to the many recent posts in this forum regarding afteraffects, and to kyk off the new forum highlighting the dangers of Ecstacy, I would like to clear up some definitions and shed some light on the cause of suffering for those complaining of excessive anxiety and similar ailments.
Before you read on, I would like so add that I have recovered approx. 90% from the adverse symptoms caused from ecstacy use and that I understand exactly the fear that others are going through. Mine started from what was a panic attack, and then solidified into a hell I was able to slowly recover from in the following months.
After weeks of research, I have compiled enough information to present what I have gathered. It's important to note that many studies are inconclusive regarding afteraffects of Ecstacy due to the complex chemical reactions that occur in different regions of the brain. Some of the information here is theory derived from personal experience and some from research I've taken from various internet sources. This FAQ will be constantly updated as information unfolds concerning their cause and origins.
Psychological and emotional affictions
Paranoia vs. Hypervigilance
Hypervigilance: Enhanced state of sensory sensitivity accompanied by an exaggerated intensity of behaviors whose purpose it is to detect threats.
What people here are suffering from is not paranoia, but what's known as hypervigilance. This enhanced state of sensory input takes place when someone becomes acutely aware of the external world, and falsely interprets what their periphreal vision is examining. What their eye would normally pass over as insubstantial, becomes unusual. This state is also normally accompanied by anxiety,
Paranoia: A condition where the patient suffers from delusions and threats that are not normally related to their external perceptions.
This is the term that gets thrown around most often on this board and with it comes a very ominous reputation. Self-explanitory, this term is not the anxious and dwelling emotions that come with drug abuse, but a genuine mental disorder in predisposed and ill patients.
(Note:The symptoms of hypervigilance are also sensitive to a person's immunity and predisposition to show these traits. The symptoms of hypervigilance may only show up after excessive drug use or not at all, depending on the individual)
But how do these symptoms come about, and how do they relate to drug use?
The human brain comes with various instinctual defence mechanisms carried over from primal evolution to protect against and detect life-threatening or harmful situations -- The most prominent of these is known as the 'Fight-or-Flight' response, which reacts in a potentially harmful and intense situation by 'switching on,' so to speak in order to apathize the person from fear, anger and other useless emotions in order to act quickly. (If you've ever been in a fist fight or extremely frightened you will recognize this as 'blacking-out' from reality.)
Ecstacy use, while causing massive surges of seratonin to release, also causes these instictual functions to become disoriented when trying to identify external threats. This confusion often carries over from an intense drug-induced high and gives the feeling of hyper-reality. -- If you always seem on edge or get startled easily, then it is the prolonged altered state of this response that is the cause. (Commonly referred to as 'sketchiness.') In most cases, this feeling goes away after a few days, and your surroundings resume their normal appearance. In excessive users, this state becomes common and is accepted in its varying degrees.
In extreme stages, this malfunctioning response can also cause symptoms of depersonalization and derealization to the sufferer.
Depersonalization -- The feeling of not being yourself or that your limbs or speech do not belong to you. You may not recognize yourself in the mirror or are unfamiliar with your own actions. -- This can also lead to extreme depression and lowering of ones self-esteem.
Derealization -- The feeling that the world around you is unfamiliar. You feel that your surroundings and perception have changed but cannot attribute it to anything specific.
(Note: Both of these symptoms are extremely difficult to identify and relate to a physician. Hence, many sufferers will go untreated for fear of being misdiagnosed)
Depression
This is the most commonly diagnosed symptom of ecstacy use and can be treated by the use of SSRI, or MAOI antidepressants. (Warning: MAOI's and MDXX are a very harmful contraindiction.) Depression is usually closely related to the mentioned symptoms when being diagnosed but it can also effect a person on its own with none of the other adverse reactions occuring.
Sleeping Problems
When attaining R.E.M sleep, the body experiences muscle twitching, sleep paralysis, and if conscious, auditory and visual hallucinations. This might relate to Alpha pattern abnormalities observed in EEG scans of depressed patients. If you're still functioning on a conscious level when this state occurs or certain symptoms of this state such as sleep paralysis, it can be quite alarming and disorienting.
I theorize that the depression caused by MDMA and changes or abnormalities in brain chemical flow may disrupt this natural cycle.
Also, this article explains in more complex detail the patterns of sleep and its different stages. http://home.epix.net/~tcannon1/Physioweek7.htm
These are the symptoms shown in narcoleptics.
quote:
The reference to depressed patients in this study and the knowledge that seretonin has a key role to play in our sleeping cycle strongly points to a connection.
(Note: 5HTP is also used as a sleeping aid for its calming effects[/b]
Short and long term memory loss in relation with MDMA
I really wish I could help more with this one, and this is a frequently discussed topic of interest. For a more thorough documentation, please visit www.erowid.org/chemicals/mdma/references/mdma_overview_memory1.shtml for direct references to the articles quoted.
Taken from www.erowid.com
In trying to answer this, we looked at a collection of 7 recent studies which attempt to address this topic. A list of all the studies we knew of on this topic as of March 1, 2000 is shown below. It is frustrating for interested readers who examine the record on MDMA associated memory disruptions that much of the research seems to contain fundamental flaws which make it possible that all of the negative findings are a function of selection bias or other errors.
Bolla - "Memory impairment in abstinent MDMA ('Ecstasy') users."
Dafters - "Level of use of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or Ecstasy) in humans correlates with EEG power and coherence."
Krystal - "Chronic 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) Use: Effects on Mood and Neuropsychological Function?"
McCann - "Cognitive performance in (+/-) 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy") users: a controlled study."
Morgan - "Memory deficits associated with recreational use of "ecstasy" (MDMA)."
Parrott - "Ecstasy (MDMA) effects upon mood and cognition: before, during and after a Saturday night dance."
Reneman - "Memory disturbances in "Ecstasy" users are correlated with an altered brain serotonin neurotransmission."
The data on the subject to date comes from Reneman, Morgan, McCann/Bolla/Ricaurte, Dafters, Parrott, & Krystal. Each of these researchers presents a small piece of a growing puzzle. Unfortunately the various research published by the McCann, Bolla, & Ricaurte lab contains very little of their actual data and instead includes only small samples of highly processed statistics. The reader is left relying on possibly incomplete, narrow, or incorrect analyses. We can't know because they don't allow anyone else to examine their results.
In some studies, little or no significant difference between MDMA users and controls were found, while in others seemingly dramatic memory or attention-task deficits were found. In Reneman's recent paper in Psychopharmacology, the MDMA users' short term memory scores all fell at or below the lowest score of the control subjects. In McCann's "cognitive performance" paper published in 1999 Psychopharmacology the 22 MDMA users' scores averaged 10-35% lower on several of the tests they were given, but the authors wrote "differences in cognitive function seen in MDMA users and controls were quite subtle, and only detected using a sensitive battery of cognitive tests."
In Bolla's 1998 Neurology paper (published with McCann & Ricaurte and presumably conducted in the same lab), the memory effects seem contradictory and the paper states that "when memory function in the two groups was compared without taking the average monthly MDMA dose into account, differences were not found." The researchers also showed that some of the heaviest users of MDMA had the best memory scores on one of the two tests.
In Morgan's 1999 Psychopharmacology paper, the heavy MDMA users studied averaged about 25% worse on both immediate and delayed recall tests, but he also found contradictory data. The heavy MDMA users who had abstained for at least 6 months before the test scored 10%+ higher than the controls (unfortunately due to the sample size this was only 3 people). Most of the heavy MDMA users studied had abstained for less than a month before the tests. Certainly we could chalk up any scores to individual variation, but the entire sample size for the heavy MDMA users is only 25. Perhaps all of the results can be accounted for by selection bias and individual variation.
The 1998 Parrott Psychopharmacology paper again showed that the 15 MDMA users had worse memory scores on 3 separate tests, but the problem with this and other attempts to study this problem is that the comparison group selection determines the outcome of the comparison and there is no actual 'control' group. This does not invalidate the results, but it weakens them.
What does all of this mean? Where we are in the winter of 2000:
Most of the research published so far has been conducted by researchers attempting to show damage to memory or other attention-based mental tasts. Experimental bias in favor of finding deficits may affect the validity of the extrapolated results.
The study sample sizes have all been very small and the subjects hand chosen by the researchers themselves. Despite *huge* populations of users available in every city of every MDMA using country, no broad based studies have taken place. Hopefully these will come soon to confirm or contradict the memory related risks.
While the memory scores of MDMA users were shown by a couple of the studies to be between 20 and 50% lower than control subjects, the MDMA using subjects themselves did not report any decline that their memory or cognitive abilities. The researchers also report that even the heaviest of MDMA users do not show obvious signs of impaired.
Some research has found there to be no significant difference in cognitive scores between MDMA users and controls.
None of the research is prospective, all of it has been retrospective. No research so far has tested people's memories before and after their MDMA use to determine that it does, in fact, get worse. This means that the differences in scores could be part of a set of pre-existing differences. There could be characteristics which predispose certain individuals to want to use MDMA more heavily.
In some of the research, the education levels of the subjects are matched poorly. In these cases, MDMA users are matched to controls with *higher* levels of education. This could result in a bias towards worse scores for the MDMA users.
Less or no effects on memory and cognition are seen in moderate or light users of MDMA. The MDMA users who are found to have noticeably lower scores have generally been the heaviest users with total lifetime usage in the 200+ range, average dosages per session are often estimated at above 300mg (up to a gram per day), sometimes using 6 or more times per month.
Confusion between long term and short term effects of MDMA confuses the data. While most of the studies suggest their findings may show long term damage, they required only a very minimal (2 or 4 week) period of abstinence from use. Some MDMA users in the general population report feeling after-effects from single MDMA sessions for 2-4 weeks (or more). In order to reasonably make claims about long term memory disruptions, users should be studied after a minimum of two months abstinence if not more.
Although most of the research does not address this, reported short term effects of MDMA use do include attention and memory disruption, as well as depression, mood swings, and other undesireable mental effects for some people. It is not at all hard to imagine that these effects might last for longer periods of time in some portion of those who use MDMA and might occur with more severity for those with extremely heavy use patterns.
Articles in the press, comments by overzealous researchers, and statements by prohibitionist government institutions exaggerate the negative findings and certainty of their evidence.
Conclusion
Despite the uncertainty of and problems with the research published as of March 1, 2000, there is enough evidence to think that heavy MDMA use may cause medium or long term disruptions in short term memory and/or some types of mental fuction. The data so far is too weak to say for certain whether this is true or what percentage of users would be affected. Also, to date, the evidence may suggest that if MDMA use causes any memory or attention changes, the changes are subtle and are more likely the more frequent the use, the higher the dose, and/or the larger the lifetime total use. Unfortunately even the correlation between increased use and increased change is uncertain.
The data is far from conclusive, but certainly suggests caution for those who use MDMA regularly or heavily
Alrite, wise guy, but why did all this come on so suddenly?
There are a couple of theories I have as to why the symptoms of hypervigilance, DP, DR and depression come on so abruptly and sometimes days after any drugs are consumed.
None of us know exactly how MDMA and its close relatives (MDA, MDEA) react with the brain and what all the long-term affects are. However, I have been given the liberty to hypothosize.
Both of my theories are post-traumatic disorders. The reason why this made the most sense to me is because an intense high such as large quantities of MDXX, is quite a shock to to the cerebral functions and I believe that it somehow triggers the Fight-or-Flight response discussed earlier into reacting with your connizant mindstate, like a shifter of a manual car stuck in 5th gear.
Myself, and the people who I have spoken with online have observed visual distortions such as magnification and disturbances in the periphreal vision and in some, aural hallucinations. All of these correspond with ecstacy use. Other symptoms include eating, sleeping, coordination, memory and speech problems.
Post-Trauma Vision Syndrome:
A person who has suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or cerebral vascular accident (CVA) may often experience difficulties with balance, spatial orientation, coordination, cognitive function, and speech.
Above is the definition for a disorder usually attributed to persons who have suffered brain damage from concussions or lesions affecting the brain. Oddly enough, it also corresponds with the symptoms brought about from ecstacy use.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a natural emotional reaction to a deeply shocking and disturbing experience.
The symptoms of PTSD include:
sleep problems including nightmares and waking early (Narcoleptic fits)
flashbacks and replays which you are unable to switch off
impaired memory, forgetfulness, inability to recall names, facts and dates that are well known to you
impaired concentration
impaired learning ability (eg through poor memory and inability to concentrate)
hypervigilance (feels like but is not paranoia)
exaggerated startle response
irritability, sudden intense anger, occasional violent outbursts
panic attacks
hypersensitivity, whereby every remark is perceived as critical
obsessiveness - the experience takes over your life, you can't get it out of your mind
joint and muscle pains which have no obvious cause
feelings of nervousness, anxiety
reactive depression (not endogenous depression)
excessive levels of shame, embarrassment and guilt
undue fear
low self-esteem and shattered self-confidence
emotional numbness, anhedonia (inability to feel love or joy)
feelings of detachment
avoidance of anything that reminds you of the experience
physical and mental paralysis at any reminder of the experience
(Fact:In the UK, almost a million people are suffering the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Above states the symptoms that bear an uncanny resemblance to the aferaffects of drug abuse. The stress that they mention can be caused by any external source, and in my situation was a negative reaction to an extremely bad experience with meth, followed two weeks later an intense experience with MDA. In all of the subjects that I interviewed, most of these symptoms were apparent, as well as the visual.
Physical abnormalities
This section is a bit of an enigma to many of us since there are very few conclusive studies in regards to the physical complaints resulting from the use of Ecstacy.
Sore Back
This question is brought up quite often, and is constantly subject to the myth that ecstacy affects spinal fluid. All educated sources will confirm that this is indeed a myth, and a sore back is more often than not, result from the exertion of long hours of dancing with a chemically increased pain threshold.
Electrical feeling: Shocks and tingles in the head or back
This complaint has also been discussed intermittantly in the Q and A forum. Tt would seem to correspond with seretonin fluctuations found in those coming off of SSRI antidepressants. There is evidence that the changing levels of seretonin trigger this peculiar sensation in different parts of the body. (More info. is forthcoming)
Pimples or rashes
Submitted by Drug Dustbin
I was in contact with professor Uwe Wollina, who is one of the authors of
the Ecstasy pimples - a new facial dermatosis -article published in Dermatology.
He told me that he has encountered only one additional case last year, but he has
heard that the pimples occur more often indeed.
Here's a short quote from his e-mail to me:
"I would not say that the rash is the first sign of an increased risk of severe side-effects but may come along with them. To my belief, XTC pimples are far more common than reported but have been overseen because of lack of importance for prognosis". Endquote
Up to 10 per cent of Caucasians lack an enzyme that protects the liver from damage caused by ecstasy.
An article found at www.brainmachines.com suggests evidence that the lack of CYP2D6 liver enzyme may be linked with rashes and e.
Weight Loss
Seretonin, while key in regulating sleeping patterns and mood, also has a role to play in appetite. 5HTP, an herbal supplement primarily used here for pre and postload to curb depression, has also been used as a dietary supplement. This suggests that any increase in seretonin is somehow relative to decrease in appetite. There is also evidence to suggest long term effects on metabolism, as your body fights to compensate after discontinuing use of ecstacy.
Gotcha, but what can I do to make this shit go away, or prevent it from happening to me?
The fact is, folks is that when this hits, it will literally consume your life. You are constantly obsessed with your mental condition and desperately search for ways to stop it, all the while dealing with much personal blame and guilt.
There are two routes to take, depending on your own discretion: Prescription and non-prescription.
Prescription Anti-depressants, anti-convulsants, Benzos, etc.. - More than a few people on this board and in the drug-consuming free world have taken this method in attempts to retrieve their former sanity. I don't condemn or condone this method, but just keep in mind that drugs are what got you here in the first place.
Remember, it's important not to self-diagnose. If you're unable to handle your altered state, it's important that you see a physician as early as possible and let him/her prescribe and/or refer you as they see fit.
Non-prescription - This obviously isn't a quick answer to your problems but it was my personal choice and I'm happy that I chose it. The solution is abstinance. Do not consume any drugs, (including alcohol) that will distort the reality that you're attempting to retrieve.
Is MDXX the only substance that can cause this?
With most of the people I have spoke with, LSD leans more toward the visual disruptions and Methamphetamines are the leading cause of hypervigilance and anxiety. MDXX is the only substance I have encountered that causes all of the symptoms cited above.
Will I get better?
Barring an unfortunate predisposition and assuming you've quit using, then I can tell you first hand that things will sort out in time.
I am currently taking an SSRI and I'm feeling much better, can't I just have one little tiny pill?
NO, Dammit! And the same goes for subsyndromal epilepsy sufferers, and those who have a family history of mental vulnerabilities. I have personally read some accounts of people suffering from OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) having thier symptoms worsen after using ecstacy -- It's important to take this into consideration before you decide to dose if you're unhealthy.
While that concluded this FAQ, if you have any personal questions or comments, feel free to mail me at [email protected]
[This message has been edited by Kyk (edited 16 March 2001).]
[This message has been edited by Kyk (edited 16 March 2001).]
