Molly is a street name for the drug MDMA, in its purest form. Molly is also known as Ecstasy, “X,” “E,” and “XTC.”
MDMA can induce euphoria, a sense of intimacy with others, and diminished anxiety. Many studies, particularly in the fields of psychology and cognitive therapy, have suggested MDMA has therapeutic benefits and facilitates therapy sessions in certain individuals, a practice for which it had been formally used in the past. Clinical trials are now testing the therapeutic potential of MDMA for post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety associated with terminal cancer, and addiction.
MDMA is a psychoactive drug with a chemical structure similar to the stimulant methamphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline. Ecstasy 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 physical touch.
Legality and Criminality
Although some limited exceptions exist for scientific and medical research, Ecstasy remains a Schedule I drug meaning that it has a high potential for abuse, has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and that there is a lack of accepted safety for use of MDMA.
One gram of MDMA (four Ecstasy pills at 250 mg per pill’s total weight regardless of purity, standard for Federal charges) is equivalent to one gram of heroin (approximately fifty doses) or 2.2 pounds (1.00 kg) of cannabis for sentencing purposes at the federal level.
Intoxicating Effects of Snorting Molly
The side effects from snorting Molly are similar to those when Ecstasy is taken in other forms and include difficulty concentrating, jaw clenching, grinding of the teeth, lack of appetite, and dry mouth and thirst.
The main differences between snorting Molly and eating it (swallowing it in what are called “parachutes” – MDMA powder wrapped in cigarette paper or toilet paper), are both the immediate physical sensation and intoxication level. Snorting Molly produces a burning sensation in the nostril(s). It also allows the intoxicating euphoric effects to hit more quickly. Eating Molly is different from snorting Molly in that it takes longer for the drug’s effects to kick in because it has to be ingested and then enter the bloodstream. However, by taking Molly by mouth, the effects are longer lasting than when snorting Molly.
After-effects/Withdrawal Symptoms from Snorting Molly
There are both psychological and physical after-effects from snorting Molly or from taking MDMA in any other form. The psychological effects include:
- Anxiety and paranoia
- Impaired attention, focus, and concentration, as well as drive and motivation (due to depleted serotonin levels)
- Residual feelings of empathy, emotional sensitivity, and a sense of closeness to others (afterglow)
The physical effects include:
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or vertigo
- Loss of appetite
- Gastrointestinal disturbances, such as diarrhea or constipation
- Aches and pains, usually from excessive physical activity (e.g., dancing)
- Jaw soreness from clenching and grinding teeth
Furthermore, it is important to be aware that using MDMA, Molly, or Ecstasy can result in serious damage to bodily organs, which can ultimately cause death. These risks include Cardiac dysfunction, arrest, myocardial infarction, and/or heart failure, hemorrhage and/or stroke, severe hyperthermia, organ failure, loss of consciousness, renal failure, and coma.