MDMA causes an increase in the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, and, in particular, serotonin. The rise in serotonin causes an elevation in mood.
One potential benefit of MDMA as an antidepressant treatment is how quickly it works to alter the mood.
Traditional depression medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can take about 6 weeks to provide significant relief.
In contrast, MDMA may provide instant relief from depressive symptoms. A 2012 study looked at the immediate effects of MDMA in people with and without a predisposition to depression.
The study included 40 participants, with 20 people in the MDMA group and 20 in the control group. In people with a predisposition to depression, the consumption of MDMA caused a significant reduction in depressive symptoms.
However, researchers need further evidence to confirm the long-term antidepressant activity of MDMA.