Major UK study examines the long-term effects of Ecstasy use

The long-term effects of the drug have been the object of wide speculation, as they form a large part of the argument for strict control and high penalties. Anecdotal evidence from users has reported extreme and lasting cases of depression, loss of cognitive function and other mental impairments that subjects attribute to their Ecstasy use - but there has been no real scientific consensus about possible long-term damage to the average user.

Recently, the UK Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs published a paper comprising the biggest ever review of the available scientific evidence in order to determine the long-term effects of ecstasy use - and while there are definitely noticeable declines in some areas of cognitive performance, and a slight extra tendency toward depression, the evidence seems to show that moderate Ecstasy users suffer few ill effects in the long run.

In fact, the report goes so far as to recommend that UK lawmakers re-classify MDMA as a class B drug - the same classification as marijuana, and amend penalties to reflect the 'balance of harms' Ecstasy exhibits in relation to other drugs. The report is clear in maintaining that MDMA use is still to be viewed as a dangerous and potentially lethal risk.

It's worth noting that many Ecstasy users also take a range of other drugs, from alcohol and cocaine to LSD, ketamine and others, which may well have a confounding effect on the results of the studies.

Click to view the MDMA study in full - otherwise, here's a summary of some of the report's findings:

The High

• MDMA produces a sense of well-being and empathy with others
• It does not predispose users to violence or troublemaking

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