What is MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly)?
MDMA (3-4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a synthetic, psychoactive drug with a chemical structure similar to the stimulant methamphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline.
MDMA is an illegal drug that acts as both a stimulant and psychedelic, producing an energizing effect, as well as distortions in time and perception and enhanced enjoyment from tactile experiences.
It is known commonly as Ecstasy and Molly.
MDMA was first synthesized by a German company in 1912, possibly to be used as an appetite suppressant. It has been available as a street drug since the 1980s, and use escalated in the 1990s among college students and young adults. Then, it was most often distributed at late-night parties called "raves", nightclubs, and rock concerts.
As the rave and club scene expanded to metropolitan and suburban areas across the country, MDMA use and distribution increased as well. MDMA is frequently used in combination with other drugs. Today, the drug is still used by a broader group of people who more commonly call it Ecstasy or Molly.
How does MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly) affect the brain?
MDMA exerts its primary effects in the brain on neurons that use the chemicals serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine to communicate with other neurons.
Serotonin is most likely responsible for the feelings of empathy, elevated mood, and emotional closeness experienced with this drug. Overall, these neurotransmitter systems play an important role in regulating:
mood
energy/activity and the reward system
appetite
aggression
sexual activity
sleep
sensitivity to pain
heart rate, blood pressure.
How is MDMA used?
MDMA is most often available in tablet or capsule form and is usually ingested by mouth. Ecstasy traffickers consistently use brand names, colors, and logos as marketing tools and to distinguish their products from that of competitors. The logos may be produced to coincide with holidays or special events. Among the more popular logos are butterflies, lightning bolts, and four-leaf clovers.
It is also available as a powder and is sometimes snorted, taken as a liquid, and it is occasionally smoked but rarely injected.
How is MDMA used in medicine?
The DEA considers MDMA an illegal schedule I drug with no recognized medical uses.
Researchers are looking at MDMA use as a possible treatment for:
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
anxiety in terminally ill patients
social anxiety in autistic adults
Recently, the FDA designated MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD as a Breakthrough Therapy, and ongoing MDMA studies can be found on clinicaltrials.gov.
What are the effects of MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly) use?
MDMA stimulates the release of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, from brain neurons producing a high that lasts from 3 to 6 hours, but the length of a high is variable based on the user. The drug's rewarding effects vary with the individual taking it, the dose is taken, purity of the MDMA, and the environment in which it is taken.
MDMA can produce stimulant effects such as an enhanced sense of pleasure and self-confidence and increased energy. Its psychedelic effects include feelings of peacefulness, acceptance, and empathy.
How dangerous is MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly)?
Shorter-term health effects include:
nausea
muscle cramping
involuntary teeth clenching
blurred vision
chills
sweating/hyperthermia
Also, there is evidence that people who develop a rash that looks like acne after using this drug may be at risk of severe side effects, including liver damage if they continue to use the drug.
Because use promotes trust, closeness, empathy, and enhances sexual desire, the risk of unsafe sexual practices may increase, resulting in HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, or other sexually transmitted diseases.
Damage to brain serotonin neurons can occur; serotonin is thought to play a role in regulating mood, memory, sleep, and appetite. Studies are conflicting on MDMA use and its effects on memory and cognition.
Is MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly) use popular?
Compared to other drugs like marijuana or alcohol, the use of MDMA (Ecstasy, Molly) is much lower.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) regularly looks at trends of illicit drug use in the U.S. in middle and high school-aged children, teens, and adults.
In 2019 Monitoring the Future results, researchers found that past-year use of MDMA in 12th graders was at 2.2% (2.2 of every 100) survey respondents, 1.70% of 10th graders, and 1.1% of 8th graders.
From the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Trends in Prevalence of MDMA, people age 18 to 25 years appeared to be the group with the highest use at 3.1%, but this figure was down from 3.5% in 2017.
In the past year, 0.9% of those surveyed 12 years or older reported past-year use.
Learn More: MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly) Trends & Statistics
Is MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly) addictive?
Research results are controversial on whether MDMA can be addictive. Some people do report signs and symptoms of addiction. Almost 60% of people who use Ecstasy report some withdrawal symptoms, including fatigue, loss of appetite, depressed feelings, and trouble concentrating.
Users may encounter problems similar to those experienced by amphetamine and cocaine users, including addiction. Research has shown that animals will self-administer MDMA, an indicator of a drug's abuse potential.
After moderate use of the drug over one week, psychological and physical effects due to withdrawal may include:
irritability
depression
aggression and impulsiveness
muscle cramps
problems with sleep
anxiety
memory deficits
loss of attention
nausea and decreased appetite
loss of interest in sex
Can I die from MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly) use?
MDMA-related fatalities at raves have been reported. The stimulant effects of the drug, which enable the user to dance for extended periods, combined with the hot, crowded conditions usually found at raves can lead to dehydration, hyperthermia (dangerous increase in body temperature), and heart or kidney failure.
Other drugs chemically similar to Ecstasy, such as MDA (methylenedioxyamphetamine, the parent drug of Ecstasy) and PMA (paramethoxyamphetamine, associated with fatalities in the U.S. and Australia) are sometimes sold as Ecstasy. These drugs can be toxic to the brain or create additional health risks to the user.
Additionally, the illegal sale of Ecstasy or Molly makes it prone to being “cut” with other illicit and potentially toxic or deadly chemicals. Ecstasy or Molly may contain other substances in addition to MDMA, including:
ephedrine (a stimulant)
dextromethorphan (an OTC cough suppressant that has PCP-like effects at high doses)
ketamine (an anesthetic used mostly by veterinarians that also has PCP-like effects)
caffeine
bath salts (synthetic cathinones)
cocaine
methamphetamine.
While the combination of Ecstasy with one or more of these drugs may be inherently dangerous, users might also voluntarily combine them with substances, such as marijuana, alcohol, or opioids, putting themselves at further risk of physical harm and overdose.
Is there a treatment for MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly) addiction?
There are no specific treatments for MDMA addiction. Therapy is typically directed by a substance use clinic or health care provider and involves supportive care and behavioral and group therapy.
