Thus , the current state of research does not allow for the conclusion that long-term use of MDMA affects decision-making behavior in general .
Different cognitive impairments have been reported as a result of long-term MDMA/ecstasy use .
Increased impulsivity and altered decision-making have been shown to be associated with the development and maintenance of addictive disorders pointing toward the necessity to underst and a potential impairment of decision-making due to MDMA use .
Thus , assessing the long-term effects of MDMA is crucial in order to evaluate its controversially discussed therapeutic use .
The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the scientific literature on potential effects of chronic MDMA use on higher order decision-making processes in humans .
Mood state and brain electric activity in Ecstasy users
Resting  EEG during open and closed eyes and subsequent mood ratings were obtained from 15 Ecstasy users and 14 Ecstasy-naive controls . Absolute spectral power on the scalp , and the three-dimensional , intracerebral distribution of neuroelectric activity using low resolution brain electromagnetic tomography ( LORETA ) were computed . LORETA revealed global increases of theta , alpha 1 and beta2/3 power during eyes open in Ecstasy users , and spectral analyses revealed a right-posterior increase of alpha2 power ( confirmed by LORETA ) and increased beta b and activity during open eyes . Ecstasy users had higher levels of state depressiveness , emotional excitability and a trend-level increase in state anxiety . The observed differences may be related to regular exposure to Ecstasy or other illicit drugs , or may be pre-existing
Thus , the current state of research does not allow for the conclusion that long-term use of MDMA affects decision-making behavior in general .
Different cognitive impairments have been reported as a result of long-term MDMA/ecstasy use .
Increased impulsivity and altered decision-making have been shown to be associated with the development and maintenance of addictive disorders pointing toward the necessity to underst and a potential impairment of decision-making due to MDMA use .
Thus , assessing the long-term effects of MDMA is crucial in order to evaluate its controversially discussed therapeutic use .
The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the scientific literature on potential effects of chronic MDMA use on higher order decision-making processes in humans .