MDMA and Molly are illicit lab-made drugs that have stimulant and hallucinogenic effects. Some researchers classify these drugs as psychedelics because they can alter visual perception, enhance tactile experiences, and change a person’s sense of time.
People who take MDMA or Molly tend to feel alert, energetic, and happy. The drugs enhance their sense of well-being and foster openness and warm feelings towards others, which makes them popular party drugs. Many people, especially teens and young adults, take MDMA and Molly to feel less inhibited in social settings and to experience feelings of empathy, closeness, euphoria, and sexuality. They usually consume them as colorful pills that have a variety of logos and names like Biscuit, E, Hug Drug, Lover’s Speed, X, and Ecstasy, or as powders, capsules, or liquids.
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What is MDMA?
MDMA is the acronym for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine. This lab-made, synthetic drug, also called “Molly” or “Ecstasy,” belongs to the substituted amphetamine classes of drugs. It’s structurally similar to the psychedelic drug mescaline and the stimulant drug methamphetamine. MDMA increases the release of the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in parts of the brain and has a stimulant effect. It was originally synthesized by the Merck company in 1912, and during the 1970s, psychotherapists used it experimentally to reduce fear. MDMA became a popular club drug in the 1980s, and today, some researchers believe it could be a viable treatment for severe depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved MDMA as a medical treatment, it has designated MDMA a breakthrough therapy so it can be studied as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, usually in combination with talk therapy.
What is Molly?
Molly, also called “Mandy,” “M,” and “Crystal,” is the powder or crystalline form of MDMA that’s available on the street. It is supposedly more pure than Ecstasy, another street version of MDMA packaged as pills that are frequently cut with other substances. People usually ingest Molly raw or as a capsule, believing that it’s a cleaner and safer option than Ecstasy. Sometimes, they snort it, dissolve it into liquid, or apply it to blotter paper.
Unfortunately, any given batch of Molly could be tainted and cut with unknown and possibly dangerous additives. Taking too much Molly too often or taking Molly with other drugs could lead to overheating, dehydration, and even long-term serotonin disruptions that can cause neurological aftereffects.
MDMA vs. Molly: Key Differences
MDMA is the primary active chemical ingredient in Molly. When synthesized in a lab, pure MDMA exists as a crystalline powder with an off-white color. MDMA becomes Molly when it reaches the street, usually in an impure form. Suppliers usually choose to cut pure MDMA powder with an inactive filler or another similar-looking drug before they sell it. This increases the total weight of the final product and increases profits for the dealer. Since Molly is illegal and unregulated, there is no guarantee that the powder a person gets is authentic, potent, or safe.
Powder vs. Pill
Molly and Ecstasy are different forms of MDMA; Ecstasy is MDMA that has been pressed into a pill form. It’s easy to carry and take at a party or club, and it can be created in standard doses, though this is not guaranteed. People often assume that Molly is purer than Ecstasy because it doesn’t need additional ingredients that would hold it together in a tablet. To create the pills, suppliers mix MDMA powder with binders and/or other drugs that stick together when the pill is pressed. Sometimes, these ingredients diminish or change the effect of MDMA or cause harm. People can swallow the Ecstasy tablet or crush it back into a powder form to snort it.
Ecstasy pills can come in many shapes and colors, and they are often embossed with a logo, like a crown, flower, or smiley face. They often look like a hybrid of prescription or over-the-counter medications and candy. Pills that have the same color logo can have different effects if they come from different batches that have different ingredients.
If you take relatively pure Molly or Ecstasy, which primarily consists of MDMA, you may feel more warmth and empathy towards others, more extroverted and open, and more accepting of emotional vulnerability with an enhanced sense of touch. If these drugs are cut with other substances, your experience can vary based on what you’ve consumed and how the substances interact. Some street drugs sold as Molly or Ecstasy may not contain MDMA at all; instead, they could consist of substances like MDPV, 4-MEC, methylone, pentedrone, or others.
Risks and Side Effects
Though MDMA could have therapeutic benefits in some settings, taking Molly or Ecstasy can have negative effects on your physical and mental health. The purity of the drug, the amount you use, and where and how you take it can affect how you react. Mixing MDMA with alcohol or prescription SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) may increase the risk of toxicity or negative effects.
Physical Health Risks
Taking MDMA can potentially raise blood pressure and body temperature, especially if they are dancing in a warm environment. If a person becomes hyperthermic, they can develop a sodium imbalance that leads to kidney failure and brain swelling. Users may also experience and cause nausea, vomiting, involuntary jaw clenching, and restless legs. While taking MDMA is rarely fatal, long-term use can also lead to liver damage and heart problems. Evidence also suggests that people who take MDMA during pregnancy may have an increased risk of giving birth to children with developmental delays and heart problems.
Mental Health Risks
MDMA causes the brain to release large amounts of serotonin, which helps regulate mood, pain, sleep, and appetite. This serotonin release can elevate your mood after you take MDMA, but once the drug wears off, you may experience psychological side effects that can last for days. Some people who take MDMA experience anxiety and panic attacks. People who use MDMA regularly may sleep badly, lose their appetite, have memory problems, and become confused, inattentive, depressed, and paranoid.
Other Side Effects
While taking MDMA can be a positive experience, people do experience negative side effects. Many of these reactions are harmless, but they can lead to secondary effects like dehydration and fainting that can be dangerous.
Some unwanted short-term side effects of MDMA include:
- jaw clenching
- muscle tension
- teeth grinding
- sweating and chills
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- depersonalization
- impaired judgment
- confusion
- feelings of faintness
- paranoia
- increased heart rate
Contamination
It’s often the case that suppliers alter the drugs they sell as MDMA, Molly, and Ecstasy by mixing them with other types of drugs. Street MDMA could contain amphetamines, ketamine, “bath salts,” or any number of substances. Taking an adulterated form of Molly or Ecstasy could cause unwanted, unexpected, and unwelcome side effects, especially if the added ingredients are dangerous.
Addiction and Treatment Options
While MDMA may or may not be addictive, research suggests that it impacts the brain’s reward system and may cause dependence in some cases. The positive experiences people associate with MDMA may lead them to crave the drug. Some users experience symptoms that indicate they have a substance use disorder. A person who continues to use MDMA despite negative side effects or experiences tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, or craving may develop an addiction to the substance.
When it comes to treating MDMA addiction, users have several options. Illinois Recovery Center offers a variety of care plans to clients, including detox, residential treatment, and outpatient programs.
Medical Detox
Medical detox, the first step of MDMA addiction treatment, involves eliminating the drug and its metabolites from the body. Detox can occur in an inpatient and outpatient setting, but supervised medical detox in an inpatient treatment facility may be safer and more effective. In an inpatient setting, medical professionals provide 24/7 medical support and monitoring and support during withdrawal, which can mitigate problems should they arise. Outpatient treatment is only recommended when an addiction is mild and the person is fully committed to recovery.
Behavioral Therapy
After detoxification, patients begin recovery from MDMA addiction by participating in evidence-based therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). CBT specifically helps patients recognize and shift the thought patterns that led them to use MDMA. DBT helps patients manage their emotions, accept difficult feelings, and resist the triggers that could lead to relapse. Therapists work one-on-one with patients to help them deal with the emotional triggers and stress of daily life.
Group Counseling and Support Groups
To supplement individual therapy, patients who are recovering from MDMA addiction may also participate in group counseling sessions. These meetings allow patients to connect with peers who are going through similar experiences. Many patients attend 12-step meetings that focus on mutual support and developing the resilience needed to achieve lasting recovery.
Illinois Recovery Center also helps people recovering addicts mend relationships through family therapy sessions, so that ideally, they can build a strong support network of caring people who understand the challenges they face. In addition, our addiction treatment specialists create individualized relapse prevention plans that promote long-term sobriety.
Lasting Recovery from MDMA Addiction Can Be Achieved with the Right Treatment
While MDMA, Molly, and Ecstasy can be fun to take, using these drugs is risky. Understanding the dangers involved in taking unregulated MDMA is key to staying safe and healthy and avoiding personal and legal consequences. If you or a loved one is struggling with MDMA or Molly abuse or other forms of substance abuse, it’s important to seek help through specialized treatment programs. Drug addiction can be challenging to overcome, but with the right treatment center and support, users can find ways to live fulfilling lives without drugs.
