Current and former ecstasy users report different sleep to matched controls: a web-based questionnaire study

J Psychopharmacol. 2009 May;23(3):249-57. doi: 10.1177/0269881108089599. Epub 2008 Jun 18.

Abstract

This study sought to test the association between ecstasy-use and abnormal sleep. An anonymous web-based questionnaire containing questions on drug use and sleep was completed by 1035 individuals. From this large sample, a group of 89 ecstasy users were found who reported very little use of other drugs. This "ecstasy-only" group was further divided into two groups of 31 current users and 58 abstinent users. The subjective sleep of current and former ecstasy-only users was compared with that of matched controls. Patients were asked to rate their sleep according to: 1) sleep quality, 2) sleep latency, 3) night time awakenings and 4) total sleep time. Current ecstasy-only users reported significantly worse sleep quality (P < 0.05) and a greater total sleep time (P < 0.001) than controls. It was inferred that these differences might be due to recovery from the acute effects of the drug. Abstinent ecstasy-only users reported significantly more nighttime awakenings than controls (P < 0.01). These subjective findings are in agreement with the objective findings of previous studies showing persistent sleep abnormalities in ecstasy users.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Hallucinogens / toxicity*
  • Humans
  • Illicit Drugs / toxicity
  • Internet
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / toxicity*
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / chemically induced*
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Hallucinogens
  • Illicit Drugs
  • N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine