Introduction

The topic of this assessment is the Neurobiology of Ecstasy (MDMA) abuse, exploring different perspectives on biological psychology through the analysis of peer-reviewed articles.

MDMA, also known as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, is a psychoactive drug commonly used recreationally for its euphoric and social bonding effects (Montgomery & Roberts, 2022). However, its complex pharmacology has also led to research on therapeutic applications, including the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and anxiety.

MDMA primarily acts on the brain’s serotonin system, inhibiting serotonin reuptake and leading to increased serotonin signaling, resulting in feelings of well-being and emotional warmth associated with the drug.

The abuse of MDMA can have adverse short and long-term consequences, including physical and mental health problems such as dehydration, hyperthermia, anxiety, depression, and changes in brain structure and function. Understanding the neurobiology of MDMA abuse is crucial for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies, informing public health policies, and reducing the negative consequences of its misuse.

Search Strategies

To gather information on the neurobiology of MDMA abuse, various search terms were employed, including “MDMA,” “ecstasy,” “3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine,” “neurobiology,” “abuse,” “brain,” “neurotransmitter,” “serotonin,” “dopamine,” “noradrenaline,” “reward,” “arousal,” “dependence,” “toxicity,” “cognitive effects,” “mental health,” “prevention,” and “treatment.”

The research utilized specific methods, including searches in the Capella University Library using Boolean operators and relevant keywords. The focus was on medical research and clinical trials related to depression treatment. Peer-reviewed literature, original research papers, clinical trials, and studies conducted by subject-matter experts were examined for accuracy and relevance. Additional information was gathered from databases like Google Scholar, PubMed, and the National Library of Medicine to comprehensively cover the neurobiology of MDMA abuse.

Article Analysis

Article 1

Sessa, B. (2017). MDMA and PTSD treatment. Neuroscience Letters, 649, 176–180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2016.07.004

The research methods in this article involve literature reviews and case studies, focusing on the use of MDMA as an adjunctive treatment for PTSD. The author presents observations and experiences from clinical settings and cites phase one neurophysiological studies and phase two clinical studies. Further research is needed to confirm these findings due to limitations in sample sizes. The article emphasizes the controlled and supervised use of MDMA in clinical settings, highlighting its differences from recreational use and addressing neurotoxicity concerns.

Article 2

Parrott, A. C. (2013). Human psychobiology of MDMA or “Ecstasy”: An overview of 25 years of empirical research. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental, 28(4), 289–307. https://doi.org/10.1002/hup.2318

This article utilizes literature reviews and an analysis of existing evidence to explore MDMA-drug interactions (MDMA-DIs). The author discusses experimental evidence and documented clinical cases, along with expert opinions and clinical recommendations based on the available evidence. The research aims to understand the interactions between MDMA and other drugs and their potential toxic effects.

Article 3

Costa, G., & Gołembiowska, K. (2022). Neurotoxicity of MDMA: Main effects and mechanisms. Experimental Neurology, 347(1), 113894. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113894

This review article summarizes recent findings on the central effects of MDMA and the mechanisms of its neurotoxicity. The authors discuss the positive and negative effects of MDMA depending on dose, frequency, and duration of use. Mechanisms responsible for neurotoxic effects are explored, including interactions with serotonin and dopamine transporters, oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, and neuroinflammation. The review aims to contribute to the development of preventive and therapeutic measures for addressing MDMA’s adverse health effects.

Article 4

R., Shokry, I. M., & Callanan, J. J. (2017). Environment influencing serotonin syndrome induced by ecstasy abuse. Annals of Forensic Research and Analysis, 4(1), 1039. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5931730/

This article reviews studies on non-drug factors’ effects on MDMA-induced serotonin syndrome. The authors analyze existing data to understand the impact of environmental conditions on serotonergic extrasynaptic receptor responsivity and the severity of serotonin syndrome. The research emphasizes factors beyond the drug itself that can influence the syndrome’s severity.

PSYC FPX 4310 Assessment 1 Analysis of Articles

Article 5

Montgomery, C., & Roberts, C. A. (2022). Neurological and cognitive alterations induced by MDMA in humans. Experimental Neurology, 347(1), 113888. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113888

The study discusses MDMA’s neurological and cognitive effects, exploring human research and identifying potential cognitive alterations associated with repeated MDMA use. The research emphasizes the difficulty in identifying serotonergic neurotoxicity in humans due to various confounding factors and reliance on self-reports. Structural and functional brain changes related to ecstasy use are highlighted, and the need for further research to understand its long-term effects is acknowledged.

Conclusion

The articles analyzed provide valuable insights into different aspects of MDMA use and its effects. The research highlights MDMA’s potential therapeutic benefits under controlled conditions, but also underscores its potential dangers, including interactions with other drugs and neurotoxic effects. Further research is crucial to better understand the risks and benefits of MDMA use and to develop appropriate preventive and therapeutic measures to mitigate its adverse health effects.

References

Costa, G., & Gołembiowska, K. (2022). Neurotoxicity of MDMA: Main effects and mechanisms. Experimental Neurology, 347(1), 113894. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113894 

Montgomery, C., & Roberts, C. A. (2022). Neurological and cognitive alterations induced by MDMA in humans. Experimental Neurology, 347(1), 113888. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113888 

Parrott, A. C. (2013). Human psychobiology of MDMA or “Ecstasy”: An overview of 25 years of empirical research. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental, 28(4), 289–307. https://doi.org/10.1002/hup.2318

 R., Shokry, I. M., & Callanan, J. J. (2017). Environment influencing serotonin syndrome induced by ecstasy abuse. Annals of Forensic Research and Analysis, 4(1), 1039. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5931730/ 

Sessa, B. (2017). MDMA and PTSD treatment. Neuroscience Letters, 649, 176–180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2016.07.004Tao,

PSYC FPX 4310 Assessment 1 Analysis of Articles