Q:
I recently heard that an experiment performed on animals showed that less neurotoxic damage occurred following ecstasy use when they were also taking Prozac. If this was also true of the human brain, would it mean that individuals taking Prozac who try ecstasy may experience the effects of MDMA with a lessened amount of damage to the brain?? Even if you're not sure, what is your opinion? (Other than ecstasy shouldn't be taken due to health issues).
A:
First, there is no safety demonstrated whatsoever in the use of ecstasy (MDMA) and plenty of evidence of hazards/problems/side effects both acute and long term.
Second, SSRIs like Prozac have been used recreationally with ecstasy to enhance the effects of ecstasy, but that is purely anecdotal "from the street" experience, and no study has been done to prove or disprove that. I would be very skeptical of any study of animals to suggest that Prozac has a "protective" effect from the damage caused by ecstasy. In fact there are a number of cases of Serotonin Syndrome from too much serotonin release with the combination of the two drugs, including reported deaths. Extreme caution is warranted.
~The Doc
