The health and psychological consequences of ecstasy use

NDARC Staff

Louisa Degenhardt, Edmund Silins and Natasha Sindicich

Aims

Despite increasing attention by the media and community, there has never been a comprehensive synthetic review of the existing literature on the characteristics, use and harms related to ecstasy (MDMA). This review will examine a range of issues that constitute a repeated source of debate in the community which may include: the effects of MDMA; the role of uncertain purity and contents of 'ecstasy' tablets; patterns of ecstasy use worldwide; correlates of ecstasy use; the acute and long term effects of the drug; the potential neurotoxicity of MDMA; the issues of ecstasy 'dependence'; potential effects upon physical and cognitive functioning; and evidence on the association between ecstasy use and mental health.

Design and Method

To identify the relevant literature, a comprehensive search strategy will be applied. The following electronic databases will be searched: Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, Science Citation Index, Ovid and International Bibliography of the Social Sciences. 'Grey literature' and the journals not indexed in the above databases will be searched comprehensively through specialist addiction libraries and websites.

Funding

Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing