Ecstasy and Molly are forms of MDMA – a drug that increases the release of the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine into the brain. In the short term, this results in feelings of euphoria and closeness with others, as well as changes in perception of time and physical sensations. In the days following MDMA use, the brain reacts to the gush of serotonin by making less of that chemical, which can lead to sadness, anxiety and depression. Molly hangovers can be so serious that the term “Suicide Tuesday” has come to refer to the state of mind after a weekend of MDMA use.
While other forms of MDMA have been “club drugs” for decades, Molly, a powder or crystalline, is a newer development. Unlike ecstasy, which is often “cut” with other ingredients and served in a pill form, Molly is a more pure form of the drug.
This BBC video clip explains the ingredients of a common ecstasy tablet and demonstrates the unreliability of ecstasy tablet labels.
Signs & Effects of MDMA Use
- Hyper alertness
- Dramatically increased energy level
- Altered perception of space and time
- Loss of appetite
- Teeth grinding
- Dehydration
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Fever