[Psychological aspects of MDMA (ecstasy) users].

Abstract

We reviewed the literature on the psychological aspects of MDMA consumption. The present paper examined the characteristics, psychological and psychopathological consequences of synthetic drug use (MDMA). The most frequent features are depression, anxiety, cognitive disorders and sensation seeking. Longer-term, higher dosage, and use of other substances are correlated with higher risk of developing psychopathological disorders. Care should be taken in cross-sectional studies in interpreting signs and symptoms of mental disorder merely as a consequence of MDMA use, because the use of ecstasy may be associated with use of multiple substances from which the mental disorder might be more likely to precede. The consumption pattern of ecstasy and related substances must be carefully analyzed. Knowledge of the MDMA consumption profile is an important for understanding the psychological characteristics of synthetic drug users.