Simultaneous polysubstance use among Danish 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine and hallucinogen users: combination patterns and proposed biological bases
Cecilie Löe Licht, M.v. Christoffersen, Mads Okholm, Lærke Damgaard, Anders Fink‐jensen, Gitte M. Knudsen, David Erritzøe
Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental June 14, 2012 DOI: 10.1002/hup.2234 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 98 |
| Population | Active MDMA and/or hallucinogen users in Denmark |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Hallucinogen Polysubstance dependence Danish |
| Citations | 40 |
| Key findings | Simultaneous polysubstance use was common among Danish MDMA and hallucinogen users, with alcohol and cannabis being the most frequently combined substances and distinct patterns of preferred drug combinations evident. |
Abstract
Objective: To describe patterns of simultaneous polysubstance use (SPU) among Danish 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) (“Ecstasy”) and hallucinogen users.
Methods: A cross‐sectional survey of 98 active MDMA and/or hallucinogen users recruited through homepage advertisements, flyers, and word of mouth in Denmark. Lifetime and recent substance use and SPU at last recalled use was described by structured interviews. Hair samples from a subset of participants were analyzed for MDMA.
Results: The participants had used an average of 12.6 (95% confidence interval: 11.7–13.4) psychoactive substances during their lifetime. SPU was prevalent among MDMA, d ‐lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and psilocybin users, in particular with alcohol and cannabis. Among MDMA users, 69% had combined MDMA with amphetamines, 56% with hallucinogens, and 47% with cocaine. At last recalled use, MDMA was taken with 2.1 ± 1.2 substances in 32 different combinations. The participants preferred specific drug combinations and named several, which in their experience enhanced or counteracted each other. Alcohol and cannabis were typically used before , during , and after MDMA, LSD, and psilocybin, whereas amphetamines were predominantly taken before these substances. When LSD was combined with MDMA, the majority took MDMA after LSD.
Conclusions: Simultaneous polysubstance use was common among Danish MDMA and hallucinogen users, and patterns of preferred substance combinations were evident. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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 17
- Trends in LSD use among US adults: 2015-2018. Drug and Alcohol Dependence May 15, 2020
- Recreational use of psychedelics is associated with elevated personality trait openness: Exploration of associations with brain serotonin markers. Journal of Psychopharmacology February 28, 2019
- Adverse experiences resulting in emergency medical treatment seeking following the use of magic mushrooms Journal of Psychopharmacology April 7, 2022
- Classic psychedelics and alcohol use disorders: A systematic review of human and animal studies Addiction Biology August 31, 2022
- Acute effects of MDMA and LSD co-administration in a double-blind placebo-controlled study in healthy participants. Neuropsychopharmacology December 1, 2023
and 12 more in the library
Cites 19
- The Pharmacology of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide: A Review CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics November 11, 2008
- Patterns of simultaneous polysubstance use in drug using university students Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental June 1, 2006
- 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) neurotoxicity in rats: a reappraisal of past and present findings Psychopharmacology March 15, 2006
- Chronic tolerance to recreational MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) or Ecstasy Journal of Psychopharmacology 2005
- Decreased cerebral cortical serotonin transporter binding in ecstasy users: a positron emission tomography/[11C]DASB and structural brain imaging study Brain May 17, 2010
and 14 more in the library