Ecstasy (MDMA) in Recreational Users: Self-Reported Psychological and Physiological Effects
Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental May 1, 1997 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1099-1077(199705/06)12:3<221::aid-hup854>3.0.co;2-c (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 20 |
| Population | Recreational drug users aged 18–31 |
| Intervention | MDMA |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Recreational drug Hallucinogen Recreational use Clinical psychology |
| Citations | 136 |
| Key findings | MDMA use increased feelings of elation, agreeableness, energy, and mental confusion, while coming off the drug led to lethargy, moodiness, insomnia, depression, irritability, and paranoia. |
Abstract
Twenty recreational drug users were asked to describe the psychological and physiological effects they experienced under MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine). The subjects comprised 11 males and nine females, in the age range 18–31 years. Five subjects had taken MDMA once, nine had taken it 2–9 times, while six subjects had taken it +10 times. Each subject completed a modified Profile of Mood States Questionnaire (POMS), an Ecstasy Effect Questionnaire, and a structured interview, covering past experience with MDMA. Increased feelings of elation, agreeableness, energy, and mental confusion were reported on-drug (p < 0·001), together with faster heart rate, feeling hot, increased sweating and dehydration, dilated pupils, and tight jaw (trismus). Coming off-Ecstasy led to feelings of lethargy, moodiness, insomnia, depression, irritability, and paranoia. Bad MDMA trips were reported by 25 per cent of the sample, following a variety of unpleasant experiences. Chronic pharmacodynamic tolerance was not apparent, since although regular users all described their first MDMA experience as 'the most intense', later trips were affected by knowledge and expectancy, rather than any diminution in drug response. Acute pharmacodynamic tolerance was, however, evident, with a period between drugs being described as necessary in order to maintain drug effectiveness. This may help explain the low addiction potential of MDMA. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subjective Reports of the Effects of MDMA in a Clinical Setting Individuals who took MDMA in a clinical setting | 1986 | Observational study | |
| Memory impairment in abstinent MDMA ("Ecstasy") users Abstinent MDMA users | 1998 | Observational cohort | |
| Impaired cognitive performance in drug free users of recreational ecstasy (MDMA) Otherwise healthy young people | 2000 | Observational | |
| The Psychological and Physiological Effects of MDMA on Normal Volunteers Older, more educated, drug-experienced individuals | 1986 | Observational cohort | |
| Cognitive performance in recreational users of MDMA or 'ecstasy': evidence for memory deficits Young people who were regular or novice MDMA users, or non-users | 1998 | Observational cohort | n = 30 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 60
- Gender differences in the subjective effects of MDMA Psychopharmacology March 5, 2001
- Human psychopharmacology of Ecstasy (MDMA): a review of 15 years of empirical research Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental December 1, 2001
- Human Pharmacology of 3,4-Methylenedioxymeth-amphetamine ("Ecstasy"): Psychomotor Performance and Subjective Effects Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology August 1, 2000
- Cognitive performance in recreational users of MDMA or 'ecstasy': evidence for memory deficits Journal of Psychopharmacology 1998
- A review of the acute subjective effects of MDMA/ecstasy Addiction March 24, 2006
and 55 more in the library
Cites 16
- Neurotoxicity of the psychedelic amphetamine, methylenedioxymethamphetamine. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 1987
- Recreational MDMA use in Sydney: a profile of ‘Ecstasy’ users and their experiences with the drug British Journal of Addiction August 1, 1992
- 'Eve' and 'Ecstasy'. A report of five deaths associated with the use of MDEA and MDMA JAMA March 27, 1987
- The Background and Chemistry of MDMA Journal of Psychoactive Drugs October 1, 1986
- The Psychological and Physiological Effects of MDMA on Normal Volunteers Journal of Psychoactive Drugs October 1, 1986
and 11 more in the library