Author: Gary Jackson

MDMA Ecstasy Molly: Effects, Hazards & Extent of Use

While Molly is sometimes considered a “pure” form of MDMA, it often contains other drugs. In recent months, the deaths of several young people have been linked to molly. But the toxicology reports for two of the deceased — Jeffrey Russ, 23, and Matthew Rybarczyk, 20,  showed that Russ died from a fatal mix of MDMA and methylone. It’s synthetic and, at least in the lab, it’s known as MDMA, short for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine.

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. In Australia, MDMA was rescheduled on 1 July 2023 as a schedule 8 substance (available on prescription) when used in the treatment of PTSD, while remaining a schedule 9 substance (prohibited) for all other uses. Any non-authorised sale, use or manufacture is strictly prohibited by law.

So what is Molly?

Also, there is evidence that people who develop a rash that looks like acne after using this drug may be at risk of severe side effects, including liver damage, if they continue to use the drug. MDMA stimulates the release of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and norepinephrine, from brain neurons producing a high that lasts from 3 to 6 hours, but the length of a high is variable based on the user. The drug’s rewarding effects vary with the individual taking it, the dose taken, purity of the MDMA, and the environment in which it is taken. As the rave and club scene expanded to metropolitan and suburban areas across the country, MDMA use and distribution increased as well. Today, the drug is still used by a broader group of people who more commonly call it Ecstasy or Molly. Most deaths related to MDMA do not occur from an overdose on the drug itself but because of heatstroke after dancing all night with no water and becoming severely dehydrated.

Emergency room visits among people 21 and older who used ecstasy increased by 128 percent from 2005 to 2011 — reaching an annual total of 10,176 cases, according to recent federal figures. Molly, usually sold for about $30 to $40 per 100-milligram capsule, has the street reputation of being safe or “pure” — and of producing feelings of warmth and well-being. An estimated 11 million Americans have used ecstasy at least once in their lives, according to the National Institute for Drug Abuse (NIDA). The DEA considers MDMA an illegal schedule I drug with no recognized medical uses. In addition, fentanyl has been increasingly found cut into other street drugs, often unknown by the user and leading to fatalities. Molly was made illegal in the United States in 1985, at which time it was classified by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as a Schedule I drug, according to the Controlled Substances Act.

How to Get Help for MDMA Addiction

As with many other “party drugs”, ecstasy is rarely used alone and it is frequently combined with alcohol and marijuana. MDMA (3-4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a synthetic, psychoactive drug with a chemical structure similar to the stimulant methamphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline. In one study, researchers found that only 60% of samples tested contained any MDMA at all and many were mixed with so-called “fake cocaine,” a substance typically made with synthetic cathinone. In nearly 25% of the samples, the researchers were unable to identify what was actually in the tablets.

• CBT also teaches people coping skills so people can better manage the stress that contributes to substance use.
• The researchers found that MDMA users rated themselves highly both on “feeling high” in general and on feeling “loving” in particular.
• Most deaths related to MDMA do not occur from an overdose on the drug itself but because of heatstroke after dancing all night with no water and becoming severely dehydrated.
• Then, it was most often distributed at late-night parties called “raves”, nightclubs, and rock concerts.

Though known today mainly as a recreational drug, ecstasy has been used off-label in medical contexts. Ecstasy was explored as a therapeutic drug in the 1970s, as some psychotherapists believed it opened people up and enhanced their potential for empathy and understanding of one another. Unlike other recreational drugs such as cocaine and nicotine, which are derived from plants, ecstasy is synthesized by altering the structure of the amphetamine molecule. However, in some cases, you may continue to feel the side effects of molly the day after you take it. The symptoms may persist for up to a week or more, especially if MDMA is mixed with other drugs such as marijuana.

Can I overdose or die from MDMA use?

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. Research in animals indicates that this drug, also referred to as MDMA or Molly, is neurotoxic and may affect the brain. Clinical studies suggest that ecstasy may increase the risk of long-term or permanent problems with memory and learning.

As summer outdoor music festival season heats up, so does the risk of overdoses of party drugs like “Molly” and Ecstasy. Users may encounter problems similar to those experienced by amphetamine and cocaine users, including addiction. Research has shown that animals will self-administer MDMA, an indicator of a drug’s abuse potential.

While ecstasy was initially used primarily in nightclubs and raves, its use has now spread to a wider range of populations. According to a 2021 survey by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 0.8% of the U.S. population over the age of 12 reported using ecstasy in the previous 12 months. The chemical name for ecstasy is 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). It is a derivative of amphetamine and has a similar structure to methamphetamine (“meth”). Long-term safety could not be guaranteed with this small group, and there is a risk of addiction and suicide in a population already at risk for these serious outcomes. Researchers note larger phase 3 studies should be completed, but those with PSTD should NOT use MDMA on their own to try to replicate these results.

• Oxytocin release during breast-feeding is thought to strengthen the bond between mother and infant.
• An earlier version of ecstasy, MDMA became popular as a recreational drug during the 1960s and 1970s.
• In the early 2000s, “Molly” was slang for MDMA that came in crystal or powder form (versus pill form), according to non-profit educational website Erowid.
• While the researchers found that MDMA did indeed increase oxytocin levels, they showed that oxytocin alone—given in its inhaled formulation, without MDMA—did not produce prosocial effects.
• However, as the drug wears off, serotonin activity drops and levels become relatively depleted.
• The serotonin system plays an important role in regulating mood, aggression, sexual activity, sleep, and sensitivity to pain.

Ecstasy overdose symptoms can include faintness, panic attacks or extreme anxiety, high blood pressure, and seizures. When ecstasy use is followed by vigorous physical activity, it can lead to a potentially dangerous rise in body temperature known as hyperthermia. Ecstasy, also commonly known by its slang name “molly,” is a synthetic drug known primarily for its hallucinogenic and stimulant effects.