Molly: Not the Girl Next Door

Many young adults are under the impression that molly is a relatively safe party drug compared to other illegal substances. However, molly has proven to be highly dangerous, because it is typically cut with a variety of other drugs and substances, with no two batches alike.  

For those unfamiliar with the club drug scene, molly is a form of MDMA, the active ingredient in ecstasy. A typical user might believe that the molly they are taking is only pure MDMA, which causes energizing and psychedelic effects. However, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration, only 13 percent of the molly seized in New York State between 2010 and 2013 actually contained MDMA.  

A contributing factor that makes molly dangerous is that it is a synthetic drug whose formula keeps on changing and is mostly manufactured by different producers in overseas laboratories. Molly has been found to contain a variety of drugs in it including: Methylone, MDPV, 4-MEC, 4-MMC, Pentedrone and MePP. Since each batch is different, the presence of these substances in molly can vary widely. The compounds in molly are measured and manufactured in micrograms so the standard of error is high when mixing substances within molly. 

The euphoric effects as well as the health implications can vary from person to person depending on how much MDMA and other substances were in the molly that they took.  A dangerous combination of unknown levels of substances within a dose of molly, usually in the form of pill or capsule, can cause death and hospitalization. Even if the effects on users are not that extreme, the long and short term consequences of molly usage can cause serious mental health issues. 

The way that MDMA works is it increases the rate at which the neurotransmitters in the brain fire. Specifically, the neurotransmitters in charge of releasing serotonin fire at an advanced rate, causing sensations of euphoria and social bonding. This increase in serotonin release allows for the user to experience intense joy and energy for a few hours. This may not seem bad at first, but it is the aftermath that is detrimental. After those few hours have passed, the brain has greatly diminished its stores of serotonin, leading the user to be depressed, anxious and nervous for an extended period of time, until the brain has replenished its serotonin stores. 

All of these mental health consequences occur after just one use of molly. If molly is repeatedly used over a period of time, it can cause the neurotransmitters to become dependent on it. This can decrease the amount of serotonin the brain produces. Low levels of serotonin in the brain have been linked to depression, anxiety disorders and obsessive compulsive disorder. 

Not only does molly usage trigger adverse mental health side effects, it also causes problems with general health. Molly usage causes rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, blood vessel constriction and sweating. The rise in body temperature mimics the effects of a heat stroke and can cause hospitalization. Some molly users believe that drinking excess amounts of water prior to taking the drug can make the drug “safe” to use. However, drinking large amounts of water in combination of using molly can cause fatal electrolyte imbalances. The electrolytes become imbalanced due to a high amount of salt lost from the body during sweating and an increased amount of water. According to Psychology Today, molly can also cause nausea, severe teeth grinding, muscle cramping, erratic heart beat and kidney failure. 

Overall, it is best to avoid molly and other MDMA products at all costs. The euphoria they create is temporary and can lead to even worse depression and withdrawal afterwards. Never try to self-medicate for a mental disorder with molly because it will only make such a disorder worse. Safer legal drugs are out there for people who experience mental health problems. Molly may make you feel happy for the duration of a party, but the lasting sadness and anxiety as well as general health implications outweigh any type of temporary euphoria. 

Photo Courtesy - Dominic Simpson