MDMA, also known as ecstasy or molly, is a synthetic drug that alters mood and perception. It produces feelings of increased energy, pleasure, and distorted senses. Common short-term side effects include anxiety, sweating, and nausea, while long-term use can cause depression, sleep issues, and memory problems. MDMA is commonly found at parties and events and poses health risks due to unknown chemical compositions and interactions. Efforts are being made to control its use and production but new synthetic drugs continue to emerge.

1. MDMA/ECSTASY AND
MOLLY
By: Julie Filewicz

2. 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.

3. • 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.

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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. WHERE IS MDMA FOUND?
• MDMA is commonly found among college scenes, dance clubs, raves and is now
found in more social settings.

8. 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.

9. • 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. • “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”

15. 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:

16. REFERENCES
Commonly 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/>.