The varieties of ecstatic experience: an exploration of the subjective
experiences of ecstasy
Harry R Sumnall1*,
Jon C Cole2,
Lisa Jerome3
1 Centre for Public Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
2 Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
3 Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), Sarasota,
FL, USA
* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
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Abstract |
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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.
Key Words:
ecstasy, MDMA, entactogens, drug effect expectancies, inventory
