Netherlands National Drug Monitor - Research and Documentation ...

performance of these tasks remained more or less unchanged, with the exception
of a negative effect on verbal memory.
- Indications of possible damage to nerve endings were also found, as well as an
increased need for sensation seeking. No effect on depression or impulsiveness was
found.
- It is not known whether the artery narrowing and memory reduction is permanent.
The clinical relevance of these effects would appear to be small, for the time being
at least.
• Research conducted among rather older Ecstasy users (40-45 years) shows that the
negative effects of Ecstasy on verbal memory exacerbate the normal age-related
deterioration of the brain (Schilt, 2009). It is not known whether at a later age (65+),
Ecstasy will accelerate the process of cognitive decline.
• There may possibly be a degree of genetic susceptibility to the effects of Ecstasy on
verbal memory (Schilt, 2009).
Combined use of Ecstasy (MDMA) and other substances may incur (acute) risks.
• Lab research conducted by the University of Leiden found that both MDMA and THC
(the main active component of cannabis) cause a faster heartbeat. The effects can be
amplified if these two substances are taken simultaneously. Furthermore, the elevated
body temperature caused by MDMA use lasts longer if THC is also ingested (Dumont,
2009). An accelerated heartbeat can lead to health problems in certain individuals.
• Remarkably, the consumption of a low dose of alcohol (2-3 units) appears to have a
somewhat mitigating influence on certain physiological effects of MDMA, such as fluid
retention and raised body temperature. It is not known whether these findings may
have practical relevance. Higher doses of alcohol could have the opposite effect.
• A comprehensive meta-analysis of human research does indeed suggest a certain
protective effect of alcohol on the harmful consequences of Ecstasy use. The study
puts forward two possible explanations for this. It may be that alcohol suppresses the
harmful effects on the brain of overheating from Ecstasy use. Alternatively, Ecstasy
users who simultaneously consume alcohol may tend to be more moderate users of
the drug (Rogers, 2009).
Deaths
The exact number of deaths due to use of amphetamine and Ecstasy is unknown.
• According to the cause of death statistics of Statistics Netherlands (CBS), these
substances are not often the primary cause of death. In the period 1996 - 2002
there was a maximum of four acute deaths per year. In 2003 Statistics Netherlands
registered seven cases, in 2004 five cases and both in 2005 and 2006 four cases.
In 2007 only one case was registered and in 2008 only two (ICD-10 code F15 and
ICD-10 codes X41, X61 and Y11, all three codes in combination with code T43.6;
for an explanation of the codes, see appendix C). These codes not only refer to
amphetamines and MDMA (-like substances), but also to other stimulants such as
caffeine, ephedrine and khat.
5 Ecstasy, amphetamine and related substances
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