MDMA/ECSTASY AND MOLLYBy: Julie Filewicz

WHAT IS MDMA?• MDMA is commonly referred to as ecstasy or molly• MDMA is a synthetic drug that alters mood and perception.• MDMA is short for the chemical name 3,4

methylenedioxymethamphetamine.• This drug has similar chemicals to both stimulants and hallucinogens.• Produces feelings of increased energy, pleasure, emotional warmth, and

distorted sensory and time perception.• This drug is usually taken in a tablet or capsule form and can last from 3-

6 hours.

• The average dose is one-two tablets which contain between 60-120 mg of MDMA.

• Other street names might be Adam, clarity, Eve, Lover’s Speed, Peace, Scooby snacks or Uppers.

• This drug is commonly taken by a tablet and can be snorted.

WHAT DOES MDMA LOOK LIKE?• Usually colorful tablets imprinted with logos, capsules, powders or liquids.

POSSIBLE HEALTH EFFECTS Short term• Anxiety• Restlessness• Arability• Sadness• Impulsiveness• Aggression• Thirst Increased heart rate • Nausea• Blurred vision • Chills and sweating• sharp rise in body temperature leading to liver, kidney, or heart failure and death. Some of these side effects can persist weeks after taking the drug.

Long Term • Depression• Loss of appetite• Trouble sleeping• Aggression• Less interest in sex• Problems with memory• Combining with alcohol and other drugs increase the chance of damaging other organs in

the body. Overdose Symptoms• High Blood Pressure• Faintness• Panic attacks• Loss of consciousness• Seizures

WHERE IS MDMA FOUND?• MDMA is commonly found among college scenes, dance clubs, raves and

is now found in more social settings.

WHAT MAKES MDMA SO DANGEROUS?

• Many kids in todays society are taking molly or what they think is a pure form of molly but this has not been the case.

• Many forms of molly are toxic because they contain a variety of different drugs.

• Many users are unaware of what they are taking and what the dose might be.

• Chemicals such as bath salts, Caffeine, cocaine, dextromethorphan, amphetamines and more are commonly found added to MDMA.

• Frequent use of MDMA can damage the serotonin neurons in the brain. • Serotonin helps regulate mood, memory, sleep and appetite and heavy

MDMA use can affect all of this. • MDMA users might experience similar problems that cocaine and

amphetamine users might face, including addiction.

WHERE DO THE CHEMICALS COME FROM?

• Many of the chemicals found in MDMA are made in laboratories from China

• The drugs are commonly sold online throughout United States• DEA says it has been extremely hard to track with the growing numbers

of chemical components in these synthetic drugs. • The DEA has seen 200 individual chemical compounds since 2009 and 80

new compounds since 2012.• Once one drug is discovered and banned another drug is found and

created to take its place.

WHERE IS THIS A PROBLEM?• Currently the use of MDMA or commonly called ecstasy or molly is a huge

widespread problem. • The chemicals in molly have been found in nearly all states of the U.S.• Molly is a multibillion dollar business and continues to be a growing

problem.

WHAT IS BEING DONE TO CONTROL THIS PROBLEM?

• Congress passed the synthetic drug abuse prevention act in July 2012 and this helped control many compounds.

• Hundreds of other compounds are hard to control because many chemists continue to produce new forms of drugs.

• The U.S is currently discussing the issues with the Chinese government but most of these chemicals are legal in china.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

• Currently there are no FDA approved medications because it is a conflicting debate whether MDMA is addictive.

• Behavioral therapies have been used to treat individuals but more research needs to be conducted to see if this treatment is helpful.

• Drug abuse support groups might also be affective.

• “The DEA says only 13% of the Molly seized in New York state the last four years actually contained any MDMA, and even then it often was mixed with other drugs. The drugs frequently found in Molly are Methylone, MDPV, 4-MEC, 4-MMC, Pentedrone and MePP”

MDMA/Ecstasy and Molly are frequently used among many young individuals in our society. Why do you think the number continues to increase? Do you think Media plays a role? What do you think we can do to prevent this?

Discussion Question:

REFERENCESCommonly Abused Drugs Charts. (2016)., from https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/commonly-abused-drugs-charts

Griffin, Drew. "9 Things Everyone Should Know about the Drug Molly." CNN. Cable News Network, 2 Nov. 2015. Web. <http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/22/health/9-things-molly-drug/>.