Molly is the street name for MDMA, a synthetic drug, often used in party settings, music festivals, and techno scenes. In the US, around 2.6 million people reported using MDMA annually, and nearly 600,000 used it monthly. Rates of use are higher among young people, with around 7% of young adults aged 18 to 25 reporting use [1].
Although it has a lower risk of addiction or danger than some drugs, it can have lasting consequences on health, especially when abused. Understanding how Molly affects the brain and body is essential to reduce the risk of harm.
Molly vs MDMA: Is There A Difference?
Molly, MDMA, and ecstasy all refer to the same chemical, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). However, they differ in form, purity level, and sometimes in their usage [2]:
- MDMA: Pure, synthetic compound usually sold in a white or off-white powder or crystal. It is taken most commonly dissolved in liquor, or sometimes snorted, or swallowed.
- Molly: Street slang for pure MDMA, often sold in the form of a capsule or as off-white powder. Thought to be purer than ecstasy, but capsules can still be cut with other harmful substances.
- Ecstasy: This is MDMA in a tablet or pill form, often sold as a colorful tablet in the shape of an animal or flowers. Ecstasy usually contains other substances such as caffeine or methamphetamine, and many users report ecstasy giving them a harsher comeup or comedown compared to pure MDMA.
What Does Molly Look Like?
As discussed, “Molly” is just one form of MDMA and often comes in a white or off-white powder form. You can never be certain that Molly is not cut with other harmful substances, but understanding the physical characteristics can help you stay more aware and recognize if it has been altered.
The physical characteristics of Molly include:
- White or off-white can sometimes have a yellow tint.
- Texture is often fine powder or crystalline (similar to crushed sugar or salt)
- Powder is dry and should not be that clumpy
- May come in a clear capsule for better ingestion, but harder to test
- If the powder is dark in color, it has likely been cut with an adulterant agent
There is no way to guarantee that Molly is 100% pure. Unfortunately, there have been several cases where Molly was cut with colorless, odorless drugs, such as opioids, which have contributed to overdose. The best way to reduce harm in party environments is to use testing kits and strips.
Is MDMA Addictive?
Although it has a lower risk potential compared to more potent stimulants such as cocaine or meth, regular or heavy use of MDMA can increase tolerance and lead to dependence. Many heavy Molly users have intense cravings, withdrawal symptoms, or continue to use despite negative effects on their health or functioning.
There are several regions of the brain impacted by Molly that can contribute to it being addictive, these include [3]:
- The Reward System: Regions such as the nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area (VTA) are activated by increased dopamine release, reinforcing drug-taking behaviors.
- Neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and oxytocin, create a cocktail of chemicals that increases feelings of euphoria, pleasure, arousal, emotional warmth, and empathy.
- Limbic System and Emotional Control: MDMA decreases activity in the limbic system, which regulates emotions, fear response, and memory. This can increase the likelihood of experiencing emotional cravings for the drug.
Short and Long-Term Effects of Ecstasy
Chemically, MDMA is classified as a derivative of phenethylamine and amphetamine, giving it traits of both stimulants and hallucinogens. This can contribute to a variety of both short and long-term effects.
Short-Term Effects:
- Euphoria and increased energy (stimulant-like effects)
- Enhances sensory perception, emotional warmth, and mild distortion of time (psychedelic-like effects)
- Increased empathy and social connectedness
- Some people experience nausea, anxiety, and irritability during the come-up before the effects of the drug peak
Long-Term Effects of Repeated Molly Use
- Increased anxiety, paranoia, and confusion
- Depression, fatigue, mood swings, loss of appetite
- Irritability, aggression, impulsivity
- Unsafe sexual behaviors or sexual dysfunction
- Possible development of dependence, with cravings and withdrawal symptoms
Understanding the Comedown and Withdrawal Symptoms of Ecstasy
The Molly comedown usually begins a few hours after feeling the peak effects and can last from 1 to 3 days. This can vary based on individual factors such as metabolism, dose, and purity. Many users report feeling a “crash” the day after taking Molly, reporting symptoms such as fatigue, exhaustion, depression, muscle aches, headaches, and sometimes dehydration.
The most significant reason for the intense Molly comedown is serotonin depletion. During the high, MDMA causes a significant surge in Serotonin, and after the drug wears off, the brain experiences a sharp drop. This depletion is what leads to the negative emotional and physical symptoms. Dopamine depletion is also a factor, contributing to reduced pleasure and increased cravings.
A few factors that worsen the comedown from Molly include:
- High dose or repeated use
- Mixing with other drugs or alcohol
- Dehydration
- Lack of sleep
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Sources
[1] MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly). 2024. National Institute on Drug Abuse.
[2] Olson, D. E. (2018). Dark Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine. ACS chemical neuroscience, 9(10), 2408–2427.
[3] Roberts, C. et al. 2018. MDMA and brain activity during neurocognitive performance: An overview of neuroimaging studies with abstinent ‘Ecstasy’ users. Journal of Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews.
