New research from Swansea University in the U.K. suggests that frequent use of ecstasy causes problems with memory, The Independent reported Nov. 8.

Researchers tested subjects on various memory and skills-learning tasks. In one test, subjects had to recall details of a short newspaper story. Those who had used ecstasy two to three days prior to reading the article only were able to recall 83 percent of the details that subjects who had not taken the drug remembered.

"Importantly, the study ensured that the ecstasy users were obtaining as much sleep as the non-drug takers, and so this result is not due to lack of sleep or the drug-taking lifestyle," noted lead author Mark Blagrove, who heads Swansea University's psychology department.

The drug seemed to affect factual memory rather than memory involved in learning new motor skills -- in this case, a typing task -- the researchers said. "In contrast to the story-memory task, the ecstasy users had no problems learning this skill," Blagrove said.

"The study means that certain aspects of work and employment will be a problem for frequent ecstasy users," Blagrove continued. "Although they may be able to learn simple skills, the more complicated learning of knowledge, as a series of facts, is harmed by ecstasy."

The findings are slated to be published in the journal Neuropsychobiology.