Less commonly, it is applied to blotting paper or used as an injection. It acts like a stimulant and hallucinogen, which energizes those that use it and increases their senses. While Molly and Ecstasy are sometimes used interchangeably for MDMA, they are actually distinct. We will look at Molly vs. Ecstasy and how they differ and what steps you can take to treat dependence on MDMA. Some of these drugs appear to be very useful in medical or therapeutic contexts. The drug is also used under medical supervision in a safe office, and patients receive medical clearance before entering the trial.
- When I was deeply immersed in the underground NYC club scene many years ago, ecstasy came mostly in pill form.
- It can make people feel more energetic, lively, and excited, and experience a sense of euphoria.
- More recently, MDMA has become a popular party drug in the United States, commonly used as part of the nightclub scene.
- However, the media have largely been referring to Ecstasy – the street name for this drug – as the treatment in this trial, rather than MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine).
MDMA Street Names
Unfortunately, ecstasy pills commonly include other psychoactive substances, such as methamphetamine, ephedrine, amphetamine, and caffeine. The impurity of ecstasy tablets causes overdoses, especially when ecstasy tablets include amphetamines, which can drastically increase your heart rate. Today, trials are underway to assess the effects of MDMA on mental health conditions like PTSD. A recent study found that MDMA-assisted therapy significantly improved symptoms among patients with severe PTSD. Keep in mind that clinical studies with MDMA are monitored by professionals and include doses of MDMA that are tested for purity.
The Similarities and Differences of MDA vs. MDMA
There is no way to know what any single pill or bag of powder contains. Since it’s unlikely you’ll know exactly what substance was mixed into the molly you consumed, you won’t know what caused your negative experience. Pills and capsules often resemble prescription or over-the-counter medications.
Addiction Treatment Programs
If you or someone you know has suicidal thoughts while using ecstasy, call or text 988 (the national suicide hotline). When you begin to feel the effects of ecstasy like changes to the way you see the world around you, a familiar environment can provide you with a sense of security to know where you are. Before and during your time on ecstasy, drink one 16-ounce bottle of water for every hour that passes while on the drug.
Compared to LSD, MDMA also increases plasma concentrations of oxytocin, also known as the “love hormone,” as it promotes social bonding, trust, empathy, and sexual attraction. Thanks to oxytocin, many people describe feeling “loved up” while under the influence of MDMA. An overdose occurs when someone takes too much MDMA in one setting or takes multiple doses within a short period. In 1990, the FDA approved human trials to research the potential medical benefits of MDMA.
Many deaths in the U.S. related to Ecstasy or Molly use have also involved co-use of drugs such as alcohol, or unintentional use of “bath salts” or other adulterants, or a combination. In Europe, however, deaths have been increasing due to use of very high-potency pills (over 200 mg). It targets the serotonin system, a chemical pathway that is affected by other addictive drugs.
People can easily overdose on Molly and Ecstasy as the ingredients are usually not pure MDMA and can be more potent than anticipated. Ecstasy was around longer than Molly and is most often recognized as a tablet of pressed powder. However, the powder in Ecstasy is mixed with other ingredients to help it keep its shape and sometimes reduce production costs.
And despite increasing abuse of opioids in the U.S., these pills are still highly efficacious in treating pain. Like opioids and amphetamine, MDMA appears to have its place in medicine. When Ecstasy boomed in popularity in the early 1980s, it tended to consist of pure MDMA, or sometimes its chemical sister MDA (3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine). But https://sober-home.org/ after MDMA became illegal in the U.S. in 1985, purity began to decrease. However, the media have largely been referring to Ecstasy – the street name for this drug – as the treatment in this trial, rather than MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine). This can lead to misunderstanding, as recreational Ecstasy use is a highly stigmatized behavior.
MDMA abuse is also linked with risky sexual behaviors, which can increase the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS or hepatitis. While the underlying chemical in both ecstasy and Molly is the same, the two drugs do differ in some ways. In pressed tablet form, MDMA is known as ecstasy; in a “pure” powder form, it’s referred to as Molly.
Do your research, educate yourself, and reach out to local or virtual organizations that can provide support with addiction. If you choose to take ecstasy, use it with as much precaution as possible. Educate yourself and your friends about the safety tips for ecstasy use to reduce unwanted health problems. At best, have at least one person who is going to be ecstasy-free during the session.
Unlike Ecstasy or Molly, pure MDMA has been proven sufficiently safe in clinical settings when taken a limited number of times in moderate doses. It’s also worth noting a 2010 study found MDMA to be among the least risky drugs to consumers and society as a whole. While many people think taking ecstasy or Molly is fun, abusing these drugs can actually have serious consequences on your physical and mental health. Safely detoxing and recovering from MDMA, ecstasy, or Molly is best done with professional medical help. Inpatient treatment is ideal for individuals with a severe addiction who don’t have access to a support network outside of treatment.
An addiction specialist can help you determine which option would be best for you by assessing your history with MDMA and the severity of your addiction. They’ll ask you questions about your home life, how long you’ve been using MDMA, the frequency of your use and other questions to determine the appropriate level of care. A person has the option of completing an inpatient or outpatient treatment program based on the severity of their addiction and their circumstances. MDMA is by no means a new drug, but misconceptions have continued for decades.
The increased release of serotonin is responsible for the signature feelings of euphoria. It is also the cause of the increased sexual pleasure and feelings of empathy that come with MDMA abuse. Molly came later as a replacement for Ecstasy because of Ecstasy’s negative reputation for having mixed ingredients. It came from the word molecular and was thought to be purer because it did not require other components to hold it together as the tablet did. People use it in its original powder or crystal form, which they snort.
While it shares characteristics with other psychedelic compounds, it differs in some ways too. MDMA is the primary psychoactive chemical constituent of ecstasy, just as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main component of marijuana. It is a common misconception that Molly is pure MDMA, but that isn’t the case; both Molly and ecstasy are commonly cut with several dangerous additives. People who take ecstasy ingest tablets or crush and snort them to achieve a quick high.
Research suggests MDMA is potentially addictive, although more research is needed. Some people who use MDMA do report symptoms of an MDMA-related substance use disorder. These symptoms include continued use despite negative side effects, tolerance—which is needing to take increasingly larger amounts of something for the same effects—withdrawal side effects, https://sober-home.org/dmt-uses-side-effects-and-risks/ and craving. People can experience negative physical and psychological symptoms from drug use yet continue using the substance, indicating dependency or addiction. Some people have also reported cravings for MDMA and withdrawal symptoms. People commonly use molly and ecstasy as party drugs in an attempt to enhance their experience and improve their mood.
Because of its widespread abuse and potential for addiction, medical settings banned MDMA. It’s worth it to consider drug detox treatment in Jacksonville, Florida if you wish to get on the path to recovery. MDMA (an abbreviation of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), also called “Molly” or “Ecstasy,” is a lab-made (synthetic) drug that has effects similar to stimulants like methamphetamine.
More recently, MDMA has become a popular party drug in the United States, commonly used as part of the nightclub scene. While MDMA has historically been referred to as ecstasy by recreational users, people have started using the term “Molly” to refer to this drug in recent years. Molly stands for molecular, and it implies that this form of the drug contains pure MDMA. In that sense, the difference between Molly vs. ecstasy is that Molly is thought to be a more pure version of MDMA.
Phase three clinical trials are currently taking place, comparing MDMA treatment to current standard-of-care drugs. FDA approval of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD is touted to be imminent, which would make it ready for market. MDMA also lifts the levels of other vital hormones in the brain, including oxytocin, which influences feelings of trust, empathy, and sexual desire. Collectively, these effects may account for the experience of increased trust and lowered defensiveness that many MDMA consumers report. In addition to firing up these fundamental neurotransmitters in the brain, MDMA also lowers activity in the amygdala, the region of the brain that kicks off fear and propels the “fight or flight” mechanism. These effects help to reduce conditioned fear and stress responses, which is why MDMA represents a powerful potential treatment for PTSD and anxiety disorders.
The drug did not undergo clinical trials or have approval from the FDA. It was also around this time that ecstasy became more popular on the street, frequently used at clubs, bars, parties and other events. Even today, ecstasy is still one of the most popular party drugs, as people believe it heightens their experience. This classification is used for substances that have a high potential for addiction and misuse.
Dependence develops due to repeated use after your body adapts to the presence of the drug and needs it in order to function optimally. Once physical dependence develops, you may experience withdrawal symptoms when you abruptly stop using. Addiction is a chronic brain disease in which you experience cravings and continue abusing the drug despite knowledge of the negative consequences. Since MDMA is commonly mixed with other substances, there is a risk that what someone is taking isn’t MDMA or is cut with something dangerous.