Associations between MDMA/ecstasy use and physical health in a U.S. population-based survey sample
Grant Jones, Jocelyn A. Ricard, Peter S. Hendricks, Otto Simonsson
Journal of Psychopharmacology October 1, 2022 DOI: 10.1177/02698811221127318 via OpenAlex
Summary
Lifetime use of MDMA (ecstasy) is associated with better self-reported physical health, including lower risks of overweight/obesity, heart conditions, cancer, hypertension, and diabetes, along with higher odds of reporting good overall health. These associations emerged from a large, nationally representative U.S. sample, controlling for potential confounders. The findings suggest protective links between ecstasy use and various physical health markers, but the authors call for longitudinal studies and clinical trials to confirm causality.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey analysis Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Nationally representative sample of U.S. adults |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Odds ratio Population Psychiatry Body mass index |
| Citations | 7 |
| Key finding | Lifetime ecstasy use was associated with lower risk of overweight/obesity, heart condition/cancer, hypertension, and diabetes, and higher odds of better overall health. |
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA/"ecstasy") is an empathogen that can give rise to increased pleasure and empathy and may effectively treat post-traumatic stress disorder. Although prior research has demonstrated associations between ecstasy use and favorable mental health outcomes, the associations between ecstasy and physical health have largely been unexplored. Thus, the goal of this study was to examine the associations between ecstasy use and physical health in a population-based survey sample. METHOD: This study utilized data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2005-2018), a yearly survey that collects information on substance use and health outcomes in a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. We used multinomial, ordered, and logistic regression models to test the associations between lifetime ecstasy use and various markers of physical health (self-reported body mass index, overall health, past year heart condition and/or cancer, past year heart disease, past year hypertension, and past year diabetes), controlling for a range of potential confounders. RESULTS: Lifetime ecstasy use was associated with significantly lower risk of self-reported overweightness and obesity (adjusted relative risk ratio range: 0.55-0.88) and lower odds of self-reported past year heart condition and/or cancer (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 0.67), hypertension (aOR: 0.85), and diabetes (aOR: 0.58). Ecstasy use was also associated with significantly higher odds of better self-reported overall health (aOR: 1.18). CONCLUSION: Ecstasy shares protective associations with various physical health markers. Future longitudinal studies and clinical trials are needed to more rigorously test these associations.