Molly Drug Effects Pose Potential Harm as Usage Increases Among Young People
After a couple of concert party-goer deaths at the recent New York Electric Zoo Festival, the drug "molly" has been under increased scrutiny.
Although molly has only been in the news lately, it has long been used by concert and party-goers.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), molly, which is short for "molecule" refers to the drug 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine. It also goes by the street names MDMA, Ecstasy, XTC, E, X, Beans and Adams. A report from The Daily Beast says it also goes by the name Mandy.
According to Forbes, molly users turn to the drug in the belief that it is a "purer or crystalline form of MDMA" and is therefore less harmful.
Molly is a synthetic drug which has mild hallucinogenic properties and is also a stimulant. It is often raved about due to its ability to make users feel euphoric and to illicit feelings of closeness, empathy and sexuality. Like alcohol, it also causes users to lose inhibitions.
In a report by CNN, users of molly claim that the initial bitter taste of consuming the drug will eventually be made up for by its sought-after effects.
"It felt like everything was amplified. It felt euphoric -- almost like a crazy adrenaline rush for a long time," said Evan, a young professional working in Michigan.
"You feel a lot more loose and comfortable in your environment. After it was over, it wasn't like a depression, but it was like, 'Aw man, I wish I felt that way again'," said recent Georgia high school graduate Jessica.
Molly is a schedule 1 controlled substance under the Federal Controlled Substances Act. However, this restriction does not stop people from having access to and consuming the drug.
According to the DEA, abuse of the molly drug can cause physical and psychological damages.
Physical damage includes hyperthermia or a profound increase in body temperature due to the drug's interference with the body's ability to regulate temperature, tremors, bruxism or involuntary teeth grinding and clenching, blurred vision, muscle cramps and liver, kidney and cardiovascular failure. Psychological damages of Molly drug abuse include confusion, anxiety, depression and paranoia.
CNN also notes that the harm posed by using the Molly drug also lies in the lack of knowledge as to the true makeup of the drug sold on the streets. Other drugs such as MDPV, methylone, mephedrone and butylone also go by the name molly. The "purity" of the molly drug is also put into question, entertaining possibilities of the pure drug being mixed with adulterants and other products.