Prevalence and Correlates of Lifetime Ecstasy/MDMA Use Among Asian American and Pacific Islander Adult Populations in the United States, 2015–2020
Wayne Kepner, Patricia Dionicio, Katie Bailey, Nora Satybaldiyeva, Alison A. Moore, Kevin H. Yang, Benjamin H Han, Joseph J Palamar
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs March 3, 2025 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2025.2474243 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | US AAPI adults aged 18 and older |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Pacific islanders Demography Asian americans Gerontology Environmental health |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key findings | An estimated 5.1% of AAPI adults have used ecstasy/MDMA in their lifetime, with higher odds among females and adults aged 26-34, and lower odds among those aged 50 and older. |
Abstract
Little is known about ecstasy/MDMA use among Asian American and Pacific Islander populations. Research is important because AAPIs face unique cultural factors that may influence use. We estimated the prevalence and correlates of lifetime ecstasy/MDMA use based on a representative sample of US AAPI adults aged ≥18 from the 2015-2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. An estimated 5.1% of AAPI adults used ecstasy in their lifetime. Compared to males, females had higher odds of use (aOR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.08-1.98). Compared to those aged 18-25, those aged 26-34 were at increased odds for use (aOR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.30-3.06), while those aged ≥50 were at lower odds for use. Lifetime use of other substances including cannabis (aOR = 28.4, 95% CI: 17.1-47.2), ketamine (aOR = 10.9, 95% CI: 1.63-73.4), LSD (aOR = 3.82, 95% CI: 1.98-7.37), cocaine (aOR = 3.77, 95% CI: 2.54-5.59), psilocybin (aOR = 3.29, 95% CI: 1.75-6.16), prescription opioids (aOR = 2.43, 95% CI: 1.44-4.09), and prescription stimulants (aOR = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.29-2.99) were associated with increased odds of ecstasy/MDMA use. We estimated that over 1 in 20 AAPI adults have ever used ecstasy/MDMA. Variations by age, sex, family income, substance type, and mental health service utilization emphasize the need for targeted public health strategies.
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
Cites 15
- Gender differences in the subjective effects of MDMA Psychopharmacology March 5, 2001
- A review of the acute subjective effects of MDMA/ecstasy Addiction March 24, 2006
- Human psychobiology of MDMA or ‘Ecstasy’: an overview of 25 years of empirical research Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental July 1, 2013
- Breakthrough for Trauma Treatment: Safety and Efficacy of MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy Compared to Paroxetine and Sertraline Frontiers in Psychiatry September 12, 2019
- Who is ‘Molly’? MDMA adulterants by product name and the impact of harm-reduction services at raves Journal of Psychopharmacology July 10, 2017
and 10 more in the library