It appears it is this action that gives MDMA its mood-altering ability. Because of its closeness in chemical structure to methamphetamine, researchers speculate that it may share its tendency to cause the degeneration of neurons using dopamine, as well. Such damage may invoke symptoms mimicking Parkinson s disease. Recent research findings also suggest MDMA use may cause immediate impairment and long-term damage to those parts of the brain critical to thought and memory. In monkeys given relatively high levels of MDMA for 4 days, evidence of damage was noted two weeks after the use, as well as 6 to 7 years later.
Studies continue to investigate long term affects and damage.
There is some evidence suggesting that people who develop a rash-like acne after using MDMA may be risk of additional side effects, including liver damage, through continued use. A 1996-97 survey of public high schools in Boston found that about 14 percent of male and 7 percent of female 12th graders had used MDMA during their lifetime. The number of 12th-graders that had used MDMA in their lifetime increased from 5.8 percent in 1998 to 8.0 percent in 1999. Use in the past year also increased nearly 60 percent, from 3.6 percent in 1998 to 5.6 percent in 1999. In addition, 12th-graders use of MDMA in the past month also increased from 1.5 percent in 1998 to 2.5 percent in 1999.