Author: Gary Jackson

Ecstasy MDMA or Molly: Uses, Effects, Risks

Shulgin went on to develop a range of new compounds, with varying effects and risks, including MDMA and PMMA (paramethoxymethamphetamine), many of which ended up as versions of street ecstasy. It was many years after this that MDMA eventually appeared on the streets as a recreational drug. In 2017, the Food and Drug Administration granted MDMA breakthrough therapy status due to the preliminary evidence of its efficacy in the treatment of PTSD. This status helps expedite the development and review of substances for the treatment of serious conditions. This does not mean that ecstasy is available as a treatment, but it may increase the speed at which the drug becomes gains approval and becomes available to treat certain conditions.

Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Data sources include Micromedex (updated 4 Feb 2024), Cerner Multum™ (updated 4 Feb 2024), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2024) and others. It targets the serotonin system, a chemical pathway that is affected by other addictive drugs. Ecstasy is a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act, which means that the DEA has determined that it has no medical benefit and a high potential for abuse.

What Is Ecstasy (Molly)?

This will stop you from getting dehydrated and possibly fainting or feeling lightheaded. After a week following moderate use of ecstasy, people can experience depression, irritability, anxiety, and problems with sleeping. People with heart problems can be at risk when using ecstasy and especially when taken in high doses. When you take ecstasy, the drug increases the way your brain chemicals work. As the effects begin to fade, people often take another dose of ecstasy to double the time it lasts.

• You can experience many side effects when taking ecstasy, and you need to be aware of what you’re taking before using.
• People have reported experiencing withdrawal symptoms like fatigue and loss of concentration.
• While there are no specific treatments for ecstasy addiction, the National Institute on Drug Abuse suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most effective option.
• Research indicates heavy ecstasy use may cause persistent memory problems in humans, although studies are conflicting.

Individuals are diagnosed with substance use disorders on a regular basis, even with severe substance use disorders, without the presence of physical dependence. Ecstasy, also commonly known by its slang name “molly,” is a synthetic drug known primarily for its hallucinogenic and stimulant effects. It’s known to impart feelings of increased energy, pleasure, emotional warmth, and distorted sensory and time perception. While it is questionable whether individuals who abuse ecstasy develop physical dependence on the drug, repeated use of ecstasy can lead to a substance use disorder. Ecstasy directly affects your brain’s levels of serotonin (mood), dopamine (energy), and norepinephrine (heart rate).