Ecstasy Users Risk Long-Term Memory Loss

A British study finds that people who use ecstasy may develop long-term memory loss, Reuters reported Jan. 15.

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Newcastle in Great Britain, involved 763 people in Europe, the United States, and Australia who regularly use ecstasy and 242 who never used the drug.

The researchers determined that ecstasy users were 23 percent more likely than non-users to have cognitive problems.

"Users may think that ecstasy is fun and that it feels fairly harmless at the time," said lead researcher Dr. Jacqui Rodgers. "However, our results show slight but measurable impairments to memory as a result of use, which is worrying."

Furthermore, the study found that those who take ecstasy and cannabis are at risk for a "myriad of memory afflictions." "Ecstasy users who take cannabis are suffering from a 'double whammy' where both their long-term and short-term memory is being impaired," Rodgers said.

The study is published in the January 2004 edition of the Journal of Psychopharmacology.