Lifetime MDMA use and associations with meaning in life in the context of childhood trauma

TL;DR

The study explores how lifetime use of MDMA relates to a sense of meaning in life, particularly among people with childhood trauma.

Contribution

It identifies a novel interaction between MDMA use and childhood trauma in predicting meaning in life.

Findings

Lifetime MDMA use was not significantly associated with meaning in life overall.

MDMA use was linked to higher meaning in life among individuals with childhood trauma.

The interaction between MDMA use and trauma history suggests a potential psychological benefit.

Abstract

Recent research has highlighted the potential of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and other trauma-related psychiatric conditions. However, less is known about the effects of MDMA use on psychological well-being in populations with trauma histories outside of clinical contexts. In the present study, we assessed associations between naturalistic lifetime MDMA use (i.e., having ever used MDMA) and an overlooked psychological predictor of resilience – meaning in life. Using data from a survey study of a sample of Swedish adults (n = 807), multiple linear regression models were fit to assess associations between lifetime MDMA use and meaning in life, as well as interactions with childhood trauma history. Meaning in life was measured using the presence subscale of the 10-item meaning in life questionnaire (MLQ). While lifetime MDMA use was not significantly associated with meaning in life overall (β = 1.80, p = 0.055), a significant interaction emerged between lifetime MDMA use and childhood trauma on meaning in life (β = 4.06, p = 0.012). Specifically, MDMA use was associated with higher meaning in life among individuals with a history of childhood trauma. Together, these associations warrant further longitudinal and experimental research to test whether MDMA exposure relates to changes in meaning in life.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-026-37721-6.

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