Objectives I can define MDMA. I understand and can explain the difference between Ecstasy and Molly. I can identify the dangers associated with the use of Molly.

What is MDMA? A synthetic, psychoactive drug that has similarities to both the stimulant amphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline. It produces feelings of increased energy, euphoria, emotional warmth and empathy toward others, and distortions in sensory and time perception.

What is “Molly” It is the street name given to the pure form of MDMA. Its name is derived from the word molecule. A drug commonly abused at clubs or raves, but is also abused in other venues.

Negative Effects of MDMA Reported Undesirable Effects (up to 1 week post-MMDA, or longer): Anxiety Restlessness Irritability Sadness Impulsiveness Aggression Sleep Disturbances Lack of appetite Thirst Reduced interest in and pleasure from sex Significant reductions in mental abilities

Potential Adverse Health Effects Nausea Chills Sweating Involuntary jaw clenching and teeth grinding Muscle cramping Blurred vision Marked rise in body temperature (hyperthermia) Dehydration High Blood Pressure Heart failure Kidney failure Arrythmia

Ecstasy Molly A synthetic, mind-altering drug that acts both as a stimulant and a hallucinogenic. Other chemicals – such as caffeine, dextromethorphan (DXM), amphetamines, PCP, or cocaine – are sometimes added to, or substituted for MDMA, so purity is always a question, complicating its risks. Ecstasy is usually swallowed in pill form, but can also be crushed and snorted, injected, or used in suppository form. The powder or crystal form of MDMA, the chemical used in Ecstasy. Molly is taken in pill form.

CONCERNS… “Bad batches” are far too common (remember the drug is man made!) People are dying using Molly (or Ecstasy) Celebrities are glamorizing the drug People are not educated enough about the drug

Molly Myth #1- Molly is a New Drug Molly is the new street name for an old drug formerly known as Ecstasy—Ecstasy, or MDMA— 3,4- methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine is essentially speed with a psychedelic and empathetic twist. First synthesized by Merck in the early 1900s, it was not widely available in the U.S. until the 1980s. In its latest incarnation, molly is supposedly a purer “molecular” version of MDMA, which in the past has been cut with everything from caffeine to various amphetamines.

Molly Myth #2- Molly is safer than other drugs because it is purer Since it is actually no more pure than other street drugs, molly’s reputation for safety is unjustified. Each hit can range from having no active drug at all to those that could potentially cause overdose. Even if the MDMA is actually MDMA, its risk comes from an ability to raise body temperature, which can cause life- threatening heat stroke, particularly when someone is dancing for hours in a hot, crowded club or concert.

Molly Myth #3- Drinking water makes molly safer While staying hydrated can reduce the risk of heat stroke associated with MDMA, the drug can also cause the body to retain water, so drinking too much can lead to a potentially fatal electrolyte imbalance.

Molly Myth #4- Mixing Molly with other drugs can give you a better buzz That depends. Combining MDMA with alcohol, for example, dampens the high, while also increasing the risk of dehydration, which can lead users to seek out more MDMA and to drink more. Caffeine and other stimulants, however, do increase the effects of MDMA but can also boost the dangers, since they raise the risk of heat stroke by ratcheting up body temperature. The federal government currently classifies MDMA as a Schedule One drug, which means it has no accepted medical use and a high potential for misuse— it’s in the same category as marijuana and heroin.

CNN Special on Molly drug/ drug/

Conclusion Molly is NOT a new drug. Molly has many negative health effects that can potentially be deadly. Molly is supposed to be the pure form of MDMA (Ecstasy), but even that is up for debate.