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Women and MDMA: particularities of gender and sex.

International review of psychiatry (Abingdon, England)
May 5, 2023
Fabio Carezzato et al. (4 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to explore gender/sex differences in MDMA use, its effects, and potential therapeutic applications, particularly for PTSD in women.

Results Summary

The study found significant gender disparities in MDMA use, with women experiencing heightened sensitivity to adverse effects, increased risk of STIs, and potential benefits in MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. Men were more likely to use MDMA due to peer pressure or sensation-seeking.

Population

Gender-specific groups (women and men) with a focus on trauma-exposed women and prenatal exposure effects on infants.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (9)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
MDMA use
increase
drug use
girls
-
often resort to
#1
MDMA use
increase
drug use
boys
-
primarily initiate
#2
MDMA use
increase
self-medication
women
-
may turn to
#3
MDMA consumption
increase
sexually transmitted infections
women
-
face an elevated risk of contracting
#4
MDMA
increase
anxiety, adverse effects, and negative side effects
females
-
exhibit heightened sensitivity to the subjective effects of
#5
MDMA
increase
hyponatremia
women
-
may have a higher susceptibility to
#6
MDMA-induced hyperthermia
decrease
vulnerability
women
-
appear to be less vulnerable to
#7
prenatal MDMA exposure
increase
motor delays
infants
-
could lead to
#8
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy
decrease
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
female subgroups
-
holds immense promise for addressing
#9
Abstract

This comprehensive review delves into the intricate interplay between gender/sex and MDMA use, drawing upon recent evidence. It explores how girls, as a means of coping with negative emotions, often resort to drug use, while boys primarily initiate drug use due to peer pressure or sensation-seeking tendencies. Women, frequently having endured traumatic life events, may turn to MDMA as a form of self-medication. Notably, women face an elevated risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections due to their altered mental states and diminished condom use during MDMA consumption. Additionally, females exhibit heightened sensitivity to the subjective effects of MDMA, consistently reporting heightened anxiety, adverse effects, and negative side effects. While women may have a higher susceptibility to hyponatremia, intriguingly, they appear to be less vulnerable to MDMA-induced hyperthermia. Although limited, available data suggest that prenatal MDMA exposure could lead to motor delays in infants, necessitating further research to unravel the potential cognitive effects. Furthermore, MDMA-assisted psychotherapy holds immense promise for addressing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among female subgroups. These pronounced gender and sex disparities in MDMA use and its effects underscore the pressing need for additional research to develop tailored, effective, and safe treatment approaches that account for these fundamental factors.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
MalePregnancyHumansFemaleN-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamineStress Disorders, Post-TraumaticSubstance-Related DisordersPsychotherapyAnxiety Disorders
Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety40
Efficacy65/10
Quality75/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations2
Citations/Year1.0
Relative Citation Ratio0.95
NIH Percentile48.2%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.25
Weight Score2.43
Normalized Score0.57
Related Supplements
Women and MDMA: particularities of gender and sex. | Panacea Index