What is Molly (MDMA)?
MDMA, common ingredient 3,4 methylenedioxy methamphetamine is a synthetic drug that is most commonly referred to under the name Molly or Ecstasy. When someone takes MDMA/Ecstasy or Molly drug it produces “high” feelings similar to drugs like stimulants such as amphetamines. Commonly used by younger people, Molly drug is known as the party drug.
Molly (3,4 methylenedioxy methamphetamine) has similar chemicals to other drugs such as hallucinogens and stimulants, and when you take it it results in increased energy, emotional warmth, pleasure, and distorted sensory and time perception in the body.
To ensure that MDMA will go as far as possible, people very rarely sell kids pure Ecstasy or Molly. Instead, they add fillers to the drug and mix the powder with other, cheaper substances. However, the fillers have bad side effects that make taking the drug even more dangerous.
Street Names
The drug MDMA (Molly or Ecstasy) can be referred to in all sorts of “street” names. The most common street names include:
- Beans
- Clarity
- Adam
- Biscuit
- Disco Biscuit
- MDMA
- STP
- Speed
- Go
- Peace
- E
- Eve
- X
- Lover’s Peace
- Hug Drug
- XTC
Are Molly and Ecstasy the Same Thing?
Since MDMA is currently unregulated and considered illegal, anything sold as “Ecstasy” or “Molly” could be cut with other drugs, be pure MDMA, or contain no MDMA at all. MDMA by itself is a white or off-white crystal powder. This can then either be sold in pressed tablets, which is ecstasy, or as a “pure” powder, usually in a capsule, which is Molly.
The powder form does not bind well into pill form by itself, so Ecstasy involves at least some fillers to maintain its shape. In many cases, this means other active ingredients, which can have an intense effect on the person taking the ecstasy pill.
The main difference between ecstasy and molly is that molly is generally known to be in a pure form while ecstasy can be cut with other drugs.
What is Ecstasy Cut With?
Because Molly and Ecstasy have been around for so long, they have been cut with a variety of different content and substances. It’s often mixed with other drugs like synthetic bath salts, cocaine, meth and Ritalin. Some of the different drug substances they have been cut with are:
- Dextromethorphan (DXM), an OTC cough medicine
- Methamphetamine (speed)
- Ketamine
- para-Methoxyamphetamine (PMA)
- Caffeine
- Synthetic cathinones (bath salts), such as 4-MEC, MDPV, methylone (M1), Pentedrone, mephedrone (4-MMC), and MePP
- Cocaine
- Ephedrine
- 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA)
Who Uses Molly?
As stated above, Molly is referred to as the “party drug” and younger adults will use this drug at raves or parties. While people of all use the drug Molly, the drug appeals to young adults the most.
On average, users who take the drug Molly are all ages, races, demographics, the most are between the ages of 12–17. It’s not uncommon to see them taking this drug at dance parties, festivals, or raves.
MDMA (molly drug) produces high amounts of the chemical serotonin. Serotonin is most likely responsible for the feelings of empathy, pleasure, changes in perception, emotional closeness and elevated mood experienced with this drug. Overall, these chemical neurotransmitter systems play an important role in regulating:
- Mood such as anxiety or depression
- Energy/activity and the reward system
- Appetite
- Aggression
- Sexual activity
- Sleep
- Sensitivity to pain
- Heart rate, blood pressure
How Does it Affect the Body?
The drug MDMA can cause changes in the brain chemicals such as serotonin, from brain neurons, producing a high that lasts from 3 to 6 hours, but its length can be variable based on the use of the person.
Because of these changes in serotonin, people may experience “highs” that make them feel out of their own body, euphoric, and extremely relaxed. This is why people typically want to engage more and more with the drug and may develop dependence.
How is Molly Used?
People who use MDMA take it in a tablet, capsule or pill. The pills can be different colors and sometimes have logos or cartoon-like images on them.
Some people engage in “bumping” which means they take more than one pill at a time. The popular drug name “Molly” (slang for molecular) refers to the pure crystalline powder form of MDMA, usually sold in capsules. While the street form of MDMA (ecstasy) is typically sold in pill form, there are many other forms of the drug.
Addiction to Molly in the United States
The data is not quite clear on whether using MDMA by itself can cause addiction. The latest data does show that drugs like MDMA targets the same neurotransmitters that are targeted by other addictive drugs which can support the idea that dependence or addiction may occur. When people use MDMA frequently it can change the chemicals in the brain and make someone more likely to abuse the substance, due to the intense cravings and need for the drug.
The feelings that MDMA causes are very intense, often leaving people wanting more. After someone has used MDMA for a long period of time it can cause a “crash” once they stop. This leads to the coining of the phrase “suicide Mondays” to describe a feeling of anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and lethargy that accompany a weekend of using MDMA.
Why is Molly Dangerous?
Before taking MDMA it is important for people to keep in mind the dangers of the drug. Because it is a synthetic drug, users do not always know what content, chemicals or substances it will be laced with, which means the risk may be higher. It is important to be aware of this since it is not possible to know the purity and content of the drug.
The Shorter-term health effects of MDMA use include problems such as:
- involuntary teeth clenching
- nausea
- sweating / hyperthermia
- high blood pressure
- changes in body temperature
- muscle cramping
- chills
- blurred vision
MDMA is a Schedule I substance, which means that the U.S. Government has determined that it has no medical benefit and a high potential for abuse or addiction. If you or a loved one is struggling with MDMA use, please contact Inland Detox for help.
Can you Overdose on Molly?
There have been studies and data that have shown the extreme risk of MDMA drug use, and in severe cases this includes death. The effects of MDMA drug which causes an increased energy in combination with crowded, hot conditions at say a rave or party, do not result in anything good. It can cause harm to a person’s body and result in negative health side effects. In extreme cases people have been known to overdose in these situations.
Some health problems that people experience include hyperthermia, dehydration, kidney failure or heart failure. These dangerous conditions can even result in death. It is important for people to be aware of these risks before drug use.
When an individual suffers from addiction they often also have co-occurring mental health disorders such as anxiety or depression. There is no specific therapy for drugs like MDMA, but typically it is treated in similar ways to other drug addiction. Typically, the treatment involves counseling and support from a trained addiction professional such as a substance abuse counselor.
If you or a loved one are looking for specific treatment help, please contact us for more information. Visit the bottom of our website for all of our contact information.
Treatment Help at Inland Detox
Inland Detox is a drug and alcohol addiction treatment center located in Temecula, CA. Our program is one of the best in the country, and we specialize in treating all types of drug addiction. Our staff includes highly trained clinicians and counselors who are able to treat the addiction and help the person develop proper coping mechanisms when they are triggered to use drugs or alcohol.
Some of the specific treatment methods we use at our rehab include addiction information/education, counseling for the individual and their family, medical support, detox, and holistic treatment options such as yoga or meditation.
If you or a loved one are suffering from addiction and would like more information on our program, please reach out to us. We’d love to help you achieve a full recovery and become free from drugs and alcohol.