Psychobiology of MDMA

The effects of recreational MDMA or ecstasy users was one of the main topic discussed during the international MDMA conference held in Melbourne 2008. In this special issue interesting papers on ecstasy dependence, impairments in thermoregulation and overheating, cognitive deficits, impulsivity and depression, the contributory role of the neurohormone oxytocin, and roadside testing of MDMA in car drivers are presented. Animal models of neurotoxicity, patterns of emergency hospital admission, the self-administration of MDMA in laboratory animals, and drug interactions between MDMA and alcohol are also discussed as well as papers about memory changes in working and information processing, and the memory consolidation effect of sleep. Further articles cover the role of the energetic stress neurohormone cortisol, and the use of the Internet for conducting large-scale studies with illicit drug users. Psychopharmacologists, pharmacologists, psychiatrists and psychologists will find valuable information about the latest research into the psychobiological effects of recreational MDMA or ecstasy.