MDMA Ecstasy Molly: Effects, Hazards & Extent of Use

But, in this case, the struggle for bureaucratic legitimacy has been well-rewarded. Thus far, MAPS’ preliminary findings were so strong that the treatment was granted a Breakthrough Therapy designation. 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. MDMA (often called ‘Molly’ or ‘ecstasy’) has become one of America’s favorite drugs since the 1980s, when it ‘escaped’ from the world of profesional MDMA therapy and became popular among partiers. Since it strips molly mdma wikipedia away emotional defense mechanisms and encourages socialization and bonding, some scientists have dubbed the drug an “empathogen.”  Among young adults (ages 19-30), about 14% have taken MDMA.

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Microdosing — taking a smaller dose, around 20–40 milligrams — can also produce negative side effects, particularly when the microdose is repeated within a short time frame. It is always best practice to remain mindful about how often you consume molly and how much you consume at one time. It may be possible to develop a tolerance to ecstasy after repeated use. Simply stated, reports suggest that the more molly you use within a short time span, the less likely you are to feel the subjective effects of the drug. More molly may not necessarily mean a more intense experience.It’s worth noting that the overall risk of dependency is substantially lower for ecstasy than other drugs, according to research on drug harms.

Soon after, this hug friendly drug made its way out of labs and therapy sessions and onto the streets and dance floors. For a few years, in an attempt to circumvent the law, different versions of ecstasy were synthesized. This production was eventually outlawed but re-emerged as a problem around the year 2000 with the popularity of homemade crystal meth. Molly was made illegal in the United States in 1985 when it was classified by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as a Schedule I drug according to the Controlled Substances Act.

But, the other part of the success may come from the effects of the drug itself. As mentioned above, MDMA impacts both hormones and neurotransmitters that inspire positive mood and cultivate feelings of love, altruism, and connectedness. According to MAPS, the compound seems to reduce fear and defensiveness and increases trust and empathy. When purchased illicitly, MDMA theoretically comes in pressed pills, powder, or crystals, with the average dose being about 85 and 125 milligrams.

Detection in body fluids

This status helps expedite the development and review of substances for the treatment of serious conditions. This article is purely informational and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider if you think that using ecstasy or “molly” is right for you. Congress passed the Synthetic Drug Abuse Prevention Act in July 2012, which controlled 26 compounds by name.

Dependence and abuse potential

Research in animals indicates that MDMA is neurotoxic and may affect the brain. Clinical studies suggest that MDMA may increase the risk of long-term or permanent problems with memory and learning. MDMA (3-4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a synthetic, psychoactive drug with a chemical structure similar to the stimulant methamphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline. DoubleBlind is a trusted resource for news, evidence-based education, and reporting on psychedelics.

It is classified as an entactogen due to how it facilitates feelings of closeness with one’s self and others. A notable property of MDMA is that tolerance builds unusually quickly and many users report that it dramatically loses effectiveness if used on a frequent basis. In the days following an MDMA experience, the brain can become depleted of this neurotransmitter, leading to feelings of low energy and mild depression, known as a comedown. Long-term MDMA use has been linked to a form of neurotoxicity that alters and impairs serotonin function in the brain. In one study comparing MDMA and LSD, MDMA was found to increase extraversion and concentration but resulted in a gentler experience of ego dissolution. MDMA also carried a significantly lower risk of anxiety and “bad drug effect,” or flipping out while tripping.

Reagent results

Crystals or powder (commonly called Molly) is a white to brownish substance which can be dissolved, crushed, put into gel capsules or edible paper (“parachutes”). It can be administered orally, sublingually, buccally or via insufflation (“snorting” or “sniffing”). It is highly advised to use harm reduction practices if using this substance. MDMA primarily works its magic by elevating serotonin activity in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter—a molecule used by the nervous system to carry messages between brain cells and muscles cells.

Most recently, Sisley’s work with medical cannabis drew mainstream attention. In 2019, Sisley spearheaded a lawsuit against the DEA for providing sub-par cannabis to use in studies on posttraumatic stress. Most notably, MDMA interacts with the receptor systems for the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Serotonin is generally thought of as a “good mood” neurotransmitter, inspiring feelings of happiness and wellbeing. The latter is responsible for the fight-or-flight response, while the former is involved in both pleasure and pain.

How Much is a Dose of MDMA?

They’re also used in wildly different settings—MDMA-assisted psychotherapy is an intensive treatment that combines pharmaceutical MDMA with psychotherapy in a highly controlled setting. “Molly” or “ecstasy” may actually be a drug cocktail that includes varying amounts of MDMA as one potential ingredient, as the above study suggests. In many ways, illicit ecstasy and pharmaceutical MDMA should not be lumped together. In addition to harming the body’s ability to regulate temperature, MDMA can cause other adverse effects, and the risk of these effects increases at higher doses. At very high doses, MDMA can stress the heart, damage other organs, and, in rare cases, lead to death.

• When taken alone or combined with alcohol or other substances, it can cause serious health problems and may lead to dependence.
• Withdrawal symptoms include fatigue, depression, impaired concentration, and loss of appetite.
• In the days following an MDMA experience, the brain can become depleted of this neurotransmitter, leading to feelings of low energy and mild depression, known as a comedown.
• Users may encounter problems similar to those experienced by amphetamine and cocaine users, including addiction.
• If research continues, MDMA may be one of the first new therapies for post-traumatic stress to enter the market in over 18 years.
• The DEA has also seen Molly applied to blotting paper, like LSD, and in injectable form.

Risks of Ecstasy

• Even with MDMA testing kits, it is impossible to tell if molly purchased on the street is pure, dosed correctly, and free from contaminants.
• But, in this case, the struggle for bureaucratic legitimacy has been well-rewarded.
• Limited research shows that controlled doses of pure MDMA could help treat symptoms of PTSD, depression, and other mental health conditions; the social symptoms of autism spectrum disorder; and anxiety in patients with a terminal illness.
• Illegally sold products might be tainted with dangerous or poisonous chemicals such as cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, ketamine, or “bath salts” (synthetic cathinones, which are stimulant drugs related to the khat plant).
• Research suggests MDMA is potentially addictive, although more research is needed.
• The 2010 study suggests that drug-specific impairment of mental functioning was the biggest risk with MDMA, followed by potential dependence and drug-related impairment of mental functioning.
• DoubleBlind Magazine does not encourage or condone any illegal activities, including but not limited to the use of illegal substances.

It has also been suggested that MDMA may interact with other antidepressant medications, although the relationship is contested and complex. Recent research suggests that mixing research-grade MDMA with prescription antidepressants may make the latter less effective. MAPS also has a rare advantage; their research has advanced to Phase 3 clinical trials, the last stage before approval of a new treatment is considered by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Approval for trials of Schedule I controlled substances is often difficult to come by.