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 .
Cognitive function and mood in MDMA/THC users, THC users and non-drug using controls
Repeated ecstasy ( MDMA ) use is reported to impair cognition and cause increased feelings of depression and anxiety . Yet , many relevant studies have failed to control for use of drugs other than MDMA , especially marijuana ( THC ) . To address these confounding effects we compared behavioural performance of 11 MDMA/THC users , 15 THC users and 15 non-drug users matched for age and intellect . We tested the hypothesis that reported feelings of depression and anxiety and cognitive impairment ( memory , executive function and decision making ) are more severe in MDMA/THC users than in THC users . MDMA/THC users reported more intense feelings of depression and anxiety than THC users and non-drug users . Memory function was impaired in both groups of drug users . MDMA/THC users showed slower psychomotor speed and less mental .exibility than non-drug users . THC users exhibited less mental .exibility and performed worse on the decision making task compared to non-drug users but these functions were similar to those in MDMA/THC users . It was concluded that MDMA use is associated with increased feelings of depression and anxiety compared to THC users and non-drug users . THC users were impaired in some cognitive abilities to the same degree as MDMA/THC users , suggesting that some cognitive impairment attributed to MDMA is more likely due to concurrent THC use
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 .