Demographic and health characteristics of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine users (MDMA, ecstasy).
Gniewko Więckiewicz, Dariusz Danel, Magdalena Piegza, Piotr Wacław Gorczyca, Robert Pudło
Psychiatria Polska October 31, 2022 DOI: 10.12740/PP/OnlineFirst/134317 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 304 |
| Population | Polish adults who use MDMA |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Ghq-28 Hads |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key findings | MDMA users rate their health higher than people using other psychoactive substances. |
Abstract
MDMA is one of the most commonly used drugs in the world. Clinical studies are currently being conducted around the world on the use of this substance in the treatment of PTSD and alcoholism. However, little demographic information is available on users who use the substance for recreational purposes. The aim was to determine basic demographic and helath characteristics with validated tools. The authors prepared an original questionnaire on the demography of MDMA users and combined it with the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The survey was sent to Polish MDMA users via the Internet. 304 responses were received from people over 18 years of age. MDMA is widespread among young adults, in many different places of residence and regardless of gender. The users take MDMA in both pill and crystal form and very rarely test drugs bought from a dealer. Most users feel that MDMA has had a good impact on their lives. MDMA is rarely used as the only psychoactive substance. MDMA users rate their health higher than people using other psychoactive substances.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recreational MDMA use in Sydney: a profile of ‘Ecstasy’ users and their experiences with the drug Recreational Ecstasy users recruited via snowball peer network | 1992 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 100 |
| Reducedin vivobinding to the serotonin transporter in the cerebral cortex of MDMA (‘ecstasy’) users Male regular ecstasy users and well-matched controls | 1999 | Cross-sectional association study | n = 20 |
| Patterns of simultaneous polysubstance use in drug using university students Drug-using university students | 2006 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 149 |
| Patterns of recreational drug use at dance events in Edinburgh, Scotland Drug users at dance events in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, aged 16-47, 80% between 18 and... | 2001 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 122 |
| Acute, sub‐acute and long‐term subjective consequences of ‘ecstasy’ (MDMA) consumption in 430 regular users Regular MDMA users | 2003 | Cross-sectional study | n = 466 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- Medications for the Treatment of Alcohol Dependence—Current State of Knowledge and Future Perspectives from a Public Health Perspective International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health January 19, 2023
- Intensity of Psychoactive Substance Use Affects the Occurrence of Prodromal Symptoms of Psychosis. Journal of Clinical Medicine January 28, 2024
Cites 6
- Breakthrough for Trauma Treatment: Safety and Efficacy of MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy Compared to Paroxetine and Sertraline Frontiers in Psychiatry September 12, 2019
- First study of safety and tolerability of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy in patients with alcohol use disorder: preliminary data on the first four participants. BMJ Case Reports July 15, 2019
- Additive Effects of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and Compassionate Imagery on Self-Compassion in Recreational Users of Ecstasy Mindfulness November 4, 2017
- MDMA and PTSD treatment: "PTSD: From novel pathophysiology to innovative therapeutics". Neuroscience Letters May 10, 2017
- Decision-making in chronic ecstasy users: a systematic review. European Journal of Neuroscience January 2017
and 1 more in the library