A new study conducted has revealed that intake if the illegal drug ecstasy can harm the brain of a first time user, even if the quantity is really less. Ecstasy is also popularly known as a ‘party drug’ and is consumed attimes at rave parties.
A team led by Maartje de Win of the University of Amsterdam took brain scans and performed memory tests on 188 people who had no history of using ecstasy in the past. The team repeated the tests 18 months later and found evidence of decreased blood flow and 59 of the people who had used the drug even showed signs of memory loss.
The harmful effects of ecstasy are well-known. Infact research has shown that long-term usage or heavy intakes of the substance can damage neurons and cause depression, anxiety, confusion, difficulty in sleeping and decrease in memory.
However where the latest study stands different as compared to the previous ones is that the current study specially focuses on the side effects of the low doses of the drug on first time users.
According to Win, “We know long-term use has lasting impact, so it makes sense that damage starts as soon as someone starts to use the drug. But we cannot say exactly how much damage is sustained at the start and need more research to be categorical about this.”