Phenomenology and Sequelae of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Use

Twenty psychiatrists who had previously taken MDMA were interviewed about their subjective experiences during the drug's effects and its short- and long-term aftereffects. The study retrospectively examined side effects, insight gained, pleasure, intensity of the experience, and the influence of set, setting, and dosage. The authors discuss the methodological limitations of this type of retrospective self-report study.

Study at a glance

Abstract

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) has been at the center of a debate over its potential benefits as an adjunct to psychotherapy versus its capability for neurotoxic effects and is currently classified as a Schedule 1 drug by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). However, as yet, there is very little methodological data on the subjective experience of the MDMA-induced state or its psychological and behavioral sequelae. The present study was, therefore, designed to obtain this kind of information. Twenty psychiatrists who had taken MDMA previously were evaluated using a semistructured interview. Subjective experience of the actual MDMA-induced state, as well as both short-term (less than 1 week) and relatively longer term (greater than 1 week) sequelae, were examined retrospectively. Side effects, insight gained, pleasure, and intensity of the MDMA experience were evaluated as were the influence of set and setting at the time the MDMA was taken and the dosage utilized. Finally, the authors discuss methodological problems and limitations of a study of this type.