Depression MDMA

Death after the use of MDMA or MDEA is rare but may occur because of induction of cardiac arrhythmias or as a consequence of risk-taking behavior. Following its acute effects, MDMA may produce symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and confusion, which, in some cases, continue for several weeks (Dowling et al. 1987). 

As was previously mentioned, a hangover-like syndrome is common the next day after use of MDMA. MDMA withdrawal, which is thought to be caused by serotonin depletion, can last for weeks and includes symptoms of depression, anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia (Allen et al. 1993 McGuite et al. 1994). No specific treatments are currently indicated fot this withdtawal syndrome, although the antidepressant bupropion may be helpful (Solhkhah... 

When 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or MDA was administered to rats in a single dose, TPH activity was markedly depressed. 

QUESTION Does anything suggest that people who have taken these drugs or MDMA for a period of time are subject to episodes of depressive disorders or affective disorders ... 

One individual was prescient enough to realize that his depression coincided with loss of his job so he did not know if his depression was related to losing his job or to MDMA ingestion. I think these people are going to need to be looked at by people who know what they are doing in terms of analyzing depression, and that has not been done. 

MDMA (Ecstasy) No clinical uses, although it has been used for psychotherapy recreational use widespread acute hyperthermic problems midweek depression during neurochemical depletion long-term problems include neurotoxicity, memory/cognitive deficits and a range of psychiatric problems. 

MDMA, or Ecstasy Positive feelings of elation, euphoria and closeness to others replaced by depression and lethargy in the days afterward regular use is neurotoxic in laboratory animals extensive but indirect evidence for similar serotonin nerve damage in human recreational users. 

MDMA stimulates the CNS, causes euphoria and relaxation, and produces a mild hallucinogenic effect. It can cause muscle tension, nausea, faintness, chills, sweating, panic, anxiety, depression, hallucinations, and paranoid thinking. It increases heart rate and blood pressure and destroys serotonin (5-HT)-producing neurons in animals. It is considered to be neurotoxic in humans. 

Like Prozac and Paxil, MDMA also increases serotonin levels in the brain. The similarities end there, however. Doctor-prescribed anti-depressants are both safe and effective. Ecstasy is definitely not safe, and after the first use, becomes less safe and less effective. The primary effect of MDMA in the brain is to increase greatly the amount of serotonin in the brain s synapses (the areas in between two brain cells where signaling takes place). MDMA does this by interfering with the neurons ability to remove serotonin from the synapse after it is released (Figure 2.2). When serotonin is released normally, under drug free conditions, it stimulates the receiving neuron and is quickly taken back up into the neuron that released it in the... 

The serotonin eventually drifts away from the synapses and is broken down elsewhere in the brain. This end result is a severe depletion of serotonin in the neurons that need to release it. Therefore, in the hours or days after taking MDMA, the neurons that usually release serotonin cannot perform that task because they do not have enough serotonin to release. The decrease in this important transmitter causes depression by starving the brain of the mood-regulating serotonin. 

Withdrawal is marked by a mood "offset" characterized by depression lasting up to several weeks. There have also been reports of increased aggression during periods of abstinence in chronic MDMA users. 

Methamphetamine and MDMA have been shown to cause damage to dopamine transporters. Anecdotally, users of both these drugs refer to the hardships of coming down and the hangover typified by fatigue and depression that typically lasts several days. 

MDMA and MDA abuse has been associated with panic disorder, depression and chronic paranoid psychosis. As these conditions may also occur independently of these drugs, it is difficult to prove causality but it seems reasonable to conclude that some individuals are more vulnerable to such psychiatric disorders which are exacerbated by these drugs. In... 

A large body of literature has by now been published that shows both the richness of MDMA s effects and the difficulty in summarizing, explaining, or analyzing them. Outstanding characteristics of the substance have been observed in relation to psychotherapy, sexuality, amelioration of the effects of trauma and depression, and spiritual development. 

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