title: Male and female ecstasy users: differences in patterns of use, sleep quality and mental health outcomes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ecstasy users report a number of adverse effects following use including mood and sleep disturbances. The present study examined differences in characteristics of ecstasy use (amount, frequency of use, reported harm resulting from use) between males and females and assessed relationships between ecstasy use, sleep quality and mental health outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  An online survey of 268 ecstasy users (54.1% male, 45.9% female) was conducted. Validated sleep instruments assessing sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness, as well as questionnaires regarding physical and mental health (measured using the short-form health survey 12 (SF-12) and details of drug use were included.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Male ecstasy users reported taking larger amounts of ecstasy, but were not more frequent users compared to females. Female ecstasy users were more likely to report increased harm following ecstasy including: feelings of guilt and remorse; failing to do what was normally expected of them; and having been told by others to cut down their ecstasy use. There were interactions between amount and gender and frequency and gender in predicting use of sleep medication and daytime dysfunction. There was a positive correlation between poorer sleep quality and negative mood, although this relationship was not moderated by sex.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a significant association between sleep quality and mood disturbance in ecstasy users suggesting that these negative outcomes are co-morbid. These findings have implications for the treatment and advice given to ecstasy users who are experiencing sleep and/or mood related complaints.
authors: School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia. Rowan.Ogeil@monash.edu
authors: Rowan P
authors: RP
authors: Ogeil
authors: Shantha M W
authors: SM
authors: Rajaratnam
authors: Jillian H
authors: JH
authors: Broadbear
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006167:Guilt; D006213:Hallucinogens; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine; D012008:Recurrence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects*; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006213:Hallucinogens; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine
keywords: Ecstasy; MDMA; Polydrug use; Sex differences; Sleep