Perceived Risk Associated with MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly) Use among African Americans: What Prevention and Treatment Providers Should Know.
Khary K. Rigg, Maayan Lawental
Substance Use & Misuse June 7, 2018 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2017.1392985 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Mixed-methods study (survey and qualitative interviews) Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 100 |
| Population | African American young adults in Southwest Florida |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Ecstasy/molly Harm reduction Perceived risk Prevention/treatment |
| Key findings | Ninety-one percent of surveyed African American young adults associated risks with their MDMA use, most commonly physical harm such as dehydration, fatal overdose, and cardiac damage. The authors argue these findings can inform the development and tailoring of interventions targeting MDMA use in this population, while noting more research is needed. |
Abstract
The research literature on MDMA (ecstasy/molly) use has largely relied on samples of ravers/club-goers, gay men, and international populations (e.g., United Kingdom, Australia). As a result, very little is known about MDMA use among African Americans. This study aimed to address this gap by adding to the limited amount of research with this population. The goal of this study was to identify and characterize the perceived risks that African Americans associate with using MDMA. Surveys (n = 100) and in-depth interviews (n = 15) were conducted with African American young adults in Southwest Florida between August 2014 and November 2015. Almost the entire sample (91%) associated risks with their MDMA use. The most prevalent types of perceived risks associated with MDMA use were physical harm (e.g., dehydration, fatal overdose, and cardiac damage). Qualitative interview data are also presented to better contextualize these perceived risks. These data provide insight into the risks most salient on the minds of African Americans, and can be used to begin developing and tailoring interventions that target MDMA use among this population. While more research is needed on this topic, these results represent a step forward in our understanding of MDMA use among African Americans.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phenomenology and Sequelae of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Use Psychiatrists who had taken MDMA | 1992 | Qualitative study | n = 20 |
| MDMA and Sexual Behavior: Ecstasy Users' Perceptions About Sexuality and Sexual Risk Current and former users of MDMA | 2005 | Qualitative study | n = 98 |
| Perceived Benefits of MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy beyond Symptom Reduction: Qualitative Follow-Up Study of a Clinical Trial for Individuals with Treatment-Resistant PTSD Veterans, firefighters, and police officers with chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD | 2019 | Qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis | n = 19 |
| Negative Experiences on Ecstasy: The Role of Drug, Set, and Setting Current or former users of Ecstasy | 2002 | Qualitative study | n = 98 |
| A Qualitative Exploration of Relational Ethical Challenges and Practices in Psychedelic Healing Practitioners who have administered MDMA and psilocybin to clients in underground... | 2021 | Qualitative study | n = 23 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 9
- Culturally informed research design issues in a study for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder Journal of Psychedelic Studies July 30, 2019
- Culture and psychedelic psychotherapy: Ethnic and racial themes from three Black women therapists Journal of Evolutionary Psychology September 21, 2020
- MDMA-assisted therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder: A pooled analysis of ethnoracial differences in efficacy and safety from two Phase 2 open-label lead-in trials and a Phase 3 randomized, blinded placebo-controlled trial Journal of Psychopharmacology June 21, 2022
- Psilocybin use patterns and perception of risk among a cohort of Black individuals with Opioid Use Disorder Journal of Psychedelic Studies August 5, 2022
- A primer for culturally attuned psychedelic clinical trials Journal of Psychedelic Studies May 15, 2025
and 4 more in the library
Cites 14
- 'Eve' and 'Ecstasy'. A report of five deaths associated with the use of MDEA and MDMA JAMA March 27, 1987
- The origin of MDMA (ecstasy) revisited: the true story reconstructed from the original documents* Addiction July 8, 2006
- Cardiovascular Effects of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial Annals of Internal Medicine December 19, 2000
- MDMA (“Ecstasy”) Abuse and High-Risk Sexual Behaviors Among 169 Gay and Bisexual Men American Journal of Psychiatry July 1, 2000
- Dissociable Effects of a Single Dose of Ecstasy (MDMA) on Psychomotor Skills and Attentional Performance Journal of Psychopharmacology December 1, 2003
and 9 more in the library