The varieties of ecstatic experience: an exploration of the subjective experiences of ecstasy
Abstract
Previous investigations of the subjective effects of MDMA (material sold as ecstasy) have conducted interviews and surveys of various groups of ecstasy users within particular sub-populations. This study examined subjective drug effects reported by different sub-populations of ecstasy users and explored whether the function or purpose served by using ecstasy influenced the nature of the drug experience. Drawing on previous measures of alterations in consciousness, psychedelic drugs and cannabis, and informal interviews with ecstasy users and MDMA researchers, a 130-item survey assessing subjective effects of ecstasy/MDMA was developed. Principal components analysis of responses of ecstasy users revealed six components; perceptual alterations, entactogenic effects, prosocial effects, aesthetic effects, negative effects and sexual effects. The derived scale was used to predict ecstasy use behaviours, and functions and experiences of use. A variety of component scores were related to ecstasy use parameters; in particular, heavier users expected fewer negative, perceptual and aesthetic effects from taking the drug. The reasons given for using ecstasy (use function) also influenced reported drug effects. Abstainers expected greater negative, perceptual, aesthetic and sexual effects than users. These data indicate that the subjective ecstasy experience is influenced by a variety of extra-psychopharmacological factors. Drug intervention strategies may be made more effective by targeting particular user groups defined by reasons given for substance use, as it is likely that their experiences of ecstasy effects will differ. Future research into ecstasy may be improved by recognizing user diversity.
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The drug's empathogenic effects are given as a reason people use ecstasy recreationally and may add to its reinforcing properties.
“Such effects are cited as a motivation to use ecstasy recreationally [2–3] and may contribute to its reinforcing capacity [4].”
From Is Ecstasy an “Empathogen”? Effects of +/- 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine on Prosocial Feelings and Identification of Emotional States in Others (2010) · cites this paper as [3]
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- Authors
- Sumnall, H. R., Cole, J. C., & Jerome, L.
- Affiliations
- Liverpool John Moores University (GB)
- University of Liverpool (GB)
- Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (US)
- Venue
- Journal of Psychopharmacology
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2006-09
- Volume
- 20
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 670-682
- ISSN
- 0269-8811 (ISSN-L)
- 1461-7285
- OpenAlex
- W2013498451
- Cited by
- 116
- References
- 63
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 8.12
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Psychopharmacology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Anhui University of Science and Technology
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychedelics and Drug Studies
- Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Toxicology › Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Keywords
- MDMA, ecstasy, subjective drug effects, perceptual alterations, prosocial effects, aesthetic effect, adverse outcomes, user heterogeneity
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Affect, Aged, Drug Interactions, Esthetics, Female, Hallucinogens, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Motivation, Perception, Surveys and Questionnaires, Sexual Behavior, Sex Characteristics, Social Behavior, Social Environment, N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, Substance-Related Disorders, Principal Component Analysis
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