Lifetime MDMA use and associations with meaning in life in the context of childhood trauma
Michelle Olofsson, Kasim Acar, Otto Simonsson, Maria Bragesjö, T. Kirk White, Rita Almeida, P. Petrovic, Alexander Lebedev
Scientific Reports February 10, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-37721-6 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractLifetime MDMA use was not significantly associated with meaning in life overall, but a significant interaction emerged: among Swedish adults with a history of childhood trauma, those who had ever used MDMA reported higher meaning in life than those who had not. Meaning in life was measured using the presence subscale of the Meaning in Life Questionnaire. The findings suggest MDMA use may relate to psychological resilience in trauma-exposed populations, though further longitudinal and experimental research is needed to test causal direction.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 807 |
| Population | Swedish adults |
| Topics | MDMA PTSD |
| Keywords | Meaning existential Context archaeology Psychological resilience Poison control |
| Key finding | Lifetime MDMA use was associated with higher meaning in life only among individuals with a history of childhood trauma. |
Abstract
Recent research has highlighted the potential of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and other trauma-related psychiatric conditions. However, less is known about the effects of MDMA use on psychological well-being in populations with trauma histories outside of clinical contexts. In the present study, we assessed associations between naturalistic lifetime MDMA use (i.e., having ever used MDMA) and an overlooked psychological predictor of resilience – meaning in life. Using data from a survey study of a sample of Swedish adults (n = 807), multiple linear regression models were fit to assess associations between lifetime MDMA use and meaning in life, as well as interactions with childhood trauma history. Meaning in life was measured using the presence subscale of the 10-item meaning in life questionnaire (MLQ). While lifetime MDMA use was not significantly associated with meaning in life overall (β = 1.80, p = 0.055), a significant interaction emerged between lifetime MDMA use and childhood trauma on meaning in life (β = 4.06, p = 0.012). Specifically, MDMA use was associated with higher meaning in life among individuals with a history of childhood trauma. Together, these associations warrant further longitudinal and experimental research to test whether MDMA exposure relates to changes in meaning in life.