Childhood depressives are more prone to turn to Ecstasy

Regular taking of Ecstasy may increase the risk of depression after the euphoria fades away. What is more, extended use of Ecstasy leads to other serious emotional conditions like anxiety and psychosis.

However, it hasn't been stated if Ecstasy caused the depression or if people suffering from depression were more prone to take the drug. So the scientists undertook the study to examine the phenomenon.

In the study, scientists investigated the emotional makeup and behavior of 1,580 subjects for 14 years.

In 1983, when the research began, the examined people were between the ages of 4 and 17 and they became adult during the course of the study. A list of 120 sorts of behaviors helped set the emotional makeup of the examined people.

Among these behaviors were: aggression, moodiness, withdrawn behavior and attention deficit disorders. A further analysis showed that subjects who suffered from depression and anxiety during the start of the research were more prone to be users of Ecstasy later on.

"Ecstasy's effects are supposed to include enhanced feelings of bonding with other people, euphoria, or relaxation. Individuals with signs of anxiety or depression may be particularly susceptible to these positive effects and may therefore use Ecstasy to relieve their symptoms," stated Anja Huizink, the main author of the study.

Among other things that increased the risk of Ecstasy use were the social environment in which the children grew up, the sense of excitement that encouraged them to try the drug, and also the use of the drug by parents. Other studies have discovered that the use of Ecstasy makes the symptoms of depression more acute, leading to various emotional side effects that are harmful to the mental health of the drug users.

In a report that appeared in the British Medical Journal, the scientists pointed out that parents and psychiatrists should keep an eye on depressive kids in order to make sure they won't use Ecstasy later in life. "Focusing on these vulnerable individuals in future studies will increase our insight into the potential harmful effects of Ecstasy on brain neurotransmitter systems and associated psychopathology," they noted.

Recalling the study, chief executive of DrugScope, a UK-based group that provides information about drugs, Martin Barnes noted that the research brings questions about the trouble that Ecstasy use is believed to cause in the further perspective. "The suggestion that young people with emotional health problems may use Ecstasy to feel better is not surprising, particularly as the drug creates feelings of euphoria and emotional closeness to others. This is an important contribution towards understanding why vulnerable young people, and indeed adults, are more susceptible to drug use and misuse," Barnes said.

But Huizink claimed that in most cases the drug might just make worse the problem that already exists, instead of causing the problem. "Using Ecstasy may increase a risk that is already there. Other studies claim that Ecstasy leads to depression. Sometimes that is the case. But perhaps it is more the case that individuals who already have an increased risk for depression are more likely to use Ecstasy," she expressed.

However, the scientist agreed that further research into the subject is necessary, particularly in people who developed depression after taking Ecstasy. "Perhaps for individuals who did not display symptoms of depression and anxiety in childhood, using a lot of Ecstasy may also cause depression. We are not saying that is not the case, but we need more studies," Huizink noted.

Online Pharmacy - PharmacyCenter.org is the online drugstore for FDA approved prescription medications by means of FREE online Internet consultation. Our offer includes most popular medicines available through online ordering.