It's synthetic and, at least in the lab, it's known as MDMA, short for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine. Ecstasy gained popularity at nightclubs in s and '90s. The pills gave users the euphoric high of amphetamines and the psychedelic effects of hallucinogens.
Molly, experts say, contains all MDMA in a crystalline powder contained in a capsule. Related: What is Fentanyl? Ecstasy has long been a common party drug.
But experts say it is far from benign. The drug can be adulterated with other chemicals like bath salts, a relatively new synthetic powder that often contains amphetamine-like chemicals.
Emergency room visits among people 21 and older who used ecstasy increased by percent from to — reaching an annual total of 10, cases, according to recent federal figures. These include:.
Because MDMA does not always break down in the body, it can interfere with its own metabolism. This can cause harmful levels of the drug to build up in the body if it is taken repeatedly within short periods of time. High levels of the drug in the bloodstream can increase the risk for seizures and affect the heart's ability to beat normally.
Researchers are not sure if MDMA causes long-term brain changes or if such effects are reversible when someone stops using the drug. However, studies have shown that some heavy MDMA users experience problems that are long lasting, including confusion, depression, and problems with memory and attention. Yes, you can die from MDMA use. On rare occasions, this can lead to a sharp rise in body temperature known as hyperthermia , which can cause liver, kidney, or heart failure or even death.
What is known is that MDMA targets the same neurotransmitters that are targeted by other addictive drugs. But, some users experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms after regular daily or almost daily use of the drug is reduced or stopped, such as:. Previous MTF Data. Explore teen substance use trends over time, by grade and substance with an interactive chart featuring Monitoring the Future data from to present.
If a friend is using drugs, you might have to step away from the friendship for a while. It is important to protect your own mental health and not put yourself in situations where drugs are being used. Content on this site is available for your use and may be reproduced in its entirety without permission from NIDA.
Department of Health and Human Services. National Institutes of Health. Read More. What does Molly do? The lab-created chemicals mimic the effects of MDMA; most of them are central nervous system stimulants that cause euphoric highs. They can also cause a rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, blood vessel constriction and sweating, and they can prevent the body from regulating temperature.
Some of the chemicals have been reported to cause intense, prolonged panic attacks, psychosis and seizures. After they wear off, the chemicals can cause devastating depression. Several of these compounds have caused deaths. Who is using Molly? Molly is being marketed to young first-time drug abusers between the ages of 12 and 17, as well as traditional rave, electronic dance music fans who may think they're getting MDMA.
Drug deaths spur fear of bad batch What does Molly look like? Molly can take many different forms, although it's most often found in a capsule or powder.
What makes Molly so dangerous? Molly is dangerous because of the toxic mix of unknown chemicals; users have no idea what they're taking or at what dose. Unlike MDMA and other illegal drugs that have known effects on the body, the formulas for these synthetic drugs keep changing, and they're manufactured with no regard to how they affect the user. For example, officials have found completely different ingredients in drugs sold in the same packaging.
Santos also says the amount of active ingredients can be dangerously different, because "the dosing for these sorts of drugs are in the micrograms. PTSD patient: Ecstasy eased my symptoms The DEA has developed its own reference materials for state and local law enforcement because they were encountering so many different drug compounds they'd never seen before.
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