For young people who love parties, clubs and raves, Molly has become a drug of choice. Also known as MDMA, Molly is a psychoactive drug used to enhance recreational social events and is commonly paired with alcohol or marijuana. It’s known for being relatively benign and nonaddictive, making it a seemingly safe choice for those looking for a good time.
However, Molly isn’t necessarily as safe as it sounds. Long-term use, a distinct possibility for those who become attached to the sensation of getting high in a party setting, carries the potential for big problems, including side effects on the brain. For those who love taking MDMA in any form during a big night out, it’s important to understand what it is and the potential consequences that may accompany ongoing use.
What Is Molly?
Molly is one of several colloquial terms for 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine, or MDMA. It’s also referred to as ecstasy, which can be nicknamed “E” or “X.”
As a psychoactive drug that has similarities to both stimulants and hallucinogens, MDMA causes altered sensations, euphoria, energy and empathy. Users may also have a distorted perspective on the passage of time and sensory perception. Molly can be taken in several forms, including pills, liquid and powder.
When consumed, Molly increases the presence of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. Combined, these neurotransmitters respectively increase energy, boost heart rate and blood pressure and elevate trust, emotional closeness and mood. This combination makes Molly particularly appealing, especially when partying with friends and enjoying live music, clubs or festivals.
The effects of MDMA last for around 3 to 6 hours, depending on the size of the dose consumed. Other short-term effects that may occur include:
- Muscle cramping
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
- Chills
- Sweating excessively
- Impulsiveness and aggression
- Decreased appetite
- Trouble sleeping
- Anxiety or depression
Molly isn’t used by a significant part of the population — only around 7% of people have used MDMA at least once in their lifetime — but is most popular among those ages 18 to 25. Unlike substances that are considered highly addictive, Molly is often treated more casually because it’s more of a party drug and not typically associated with regular daily use. This means there isn’t a significant amount of data on the health consequences of use.
However, this doesn’t minimize the serious nature of drug abuse of any kind. Users of Molly can develop a behavioral addiction to the drug. The biochemical component of addiction that accompanies the use of drugs like heroin and cocaine may not be there. Still, like other behavioral addictions, such as food, sex or gambling, partying and using Molly can become a very addictive process.
Things to Know About Taking Molly
Below are some key things to know about the drug Molly.
1. What’s In Molly
While Molly is another name for MDMA, the reality is that most Molly sold today is cut with a variety of substances. Designer drugs, such as methylone and mephedrone, are popular choices. They’re cheaper and have similar effects to MDMA, enabling dealers to boost profit margins. Other common adulterants include anhydrous caffeine, ephedrine and drugs in the cathinone family.
2. How to Identify Molly
Molly is sold in various forms: pressed pills, capsules and loose powder. In powder form, the drug appears white or translucent, with a consistency as crystalline as rock salt or as powdery as flour. Molly pills are usually stamped with a logo or design.
3. What Makes Molly Dangerous
Aside from MDMA’s physiological effects, a major part of what makes Molly so dangerous is the uncertainty of its assumed contaminants. Without access to proper laboratory equipment, accurately identifying how much actual MDMA is in Molly powder or pills is difficult. Because this drug is typically manufactured in clandestine labs lacking rigorous quality control standards, the amounts of each ingredient, Molly or otherwise, can vary significantly between batches and even from pill to pill.
4. Molly’s Raw Ingredient Suppliers
Raw ingredients for MDMA manufacturing are routinely found on the dark web and shipped from various parts of the world. However, most of the drugs used to cut Molly come from China. Many of them are sold online as research chemicals with a disclaimer that they’re not for human consumption.
5. Who’s Using Molly
As a party drug, Molly is popular among high school and college students. It’s often sold openly at raves and music festivals.
6. Government Regulations for Reducing Molly Supply
Drug scheduling for MDMA and restrictions on its raw ingredients have been in place for decades, but the proliferation of novel chemicals with similar effects to MDMA poses additional challenges. The Analogue Act, part of the Controlled Substances Act, effectively bans substances that have a certain amount of structural similarity to currently scheduled substances. Nonetheless, as profits drive innovation, opportunists regularly seek to create new compounds as soon as old ones are identified and banned.
7. Signs Someone Is Using Molly
Molly causes behavioral and physical changes in its users. Sweating, dehydration and dilated pupils are common. Jaw clenching is another common sign. As Molly induces feelings of love and empathy, those under its influence often display more outward positive emotions than they typically would without the drug. Heightened energy levels and erratic body movements may also indicate someone is using Molly.
The Health Risks of Molly
Though sometimes hard to pin down because it’s rarely taken alone, there are potential long-term effects from chronic MDMA abuse. Those who abuse MDMA seriously may face negative symptoms in the future, both during and after use.
Anxiety and Depression
Because MDMA changes the ways neurotransmitters function in the brain, prolonged use followed by rapid cessation can cause symptoms associated with anxiety and depression. This is related to the changing levels of dopamine and serotonin, driven by long-term and regular exposure.
In general, ceasing the use of MDMA will eventually cause these levels to stabilize and minimize the symptoms of drug withdrawal, but this process can take time. Those with serious side effects or who quit Molly and are still experiencing symptoms should seek a professional to oversee the treatment of side effects.
Insomnia
Insomnia, or trouble falling or staying asleep, is a problem for millions of Americans. Unfortunately, MDMA abuse can trigger insomnia or worsen existing insomnia. The effects on neurotransmitters in the brain — in ways that increase energy — can make staying alert easier but consequently negatively impact the ability to get to sleep. Those who take Molly regularly may find themselves unable to maintain healthy sleep patterns and struggle to get enough sleep to function properly.
In addition to interfering with job performance, family duties and education, a lack of sleep can contribute to other mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression.
Behavioral Changes
Many types of drugs can impact behavior. In those who use ecstasy for long periods, MDMA can cause erratic behavior and increased impulsivity. These behavioral issues can persist even after stopping. They may also be an indication that MDMA has caused semi-permanent or permanent changes to the brain, creating the potential for future behavioral problems.
Brain Damage
Many addictive substances can cause damage to the brain, including drugs like alcohol or heroin. The same is true of MDMA. Although research is still preliminary, some studies indicate that long-term Molly use could be correlated with memory and concentration problems. Other studies have speculated that these negative effects may be alleviated by quitting the drug.
It’s important to also note that the long-term health effects of Molly can be hard to delineate because MDMA is rarely taken without other substances. Its longer-term effects may therefore be impacted by its use in combination with other drugs or alcohol.
There’s no such thing as a safe drug when it comes to abuse. Just because significant or fatal risks aren’t currently being studied doesn’t mean a serious threat doesn’t exist. MDMA’s long-term effects can become a problem for those who don’t seek treatment.
Getting Help to Quit
Quitting any drug can be a challenge, and that includes Molly. Even though substances like Molly are considered nonaddictive when compared to drugs like heroin or cocaine, anything can become a problem habit. If too many nights spent clubbing with MDMA or regular use of it while smoking pot or getting drunk have turned a party drug into a substance use disorder, there’s help. With its inpatient and outpatient programming, FHE Health has helped many people successfully overcome addiction problems in all shapes and sizes. Contact us today to learn more about treatment options for MDMA and other substances.
