Drugs have been part of society since the dawn of time. The term drug emerged in the 14th century from the French word for dry substance, “drogue" (History.com Editors, 2017). The term was appropriate at the time since most pharmaceutical products at that time were made of dried herbs. Advances in medicine and pharmaceuticals, however, have led to the production of liquid and even gaseous drugs. There are two primary functional uses of drugs, namely medicinal and recreational, and in each case, there are chances that drugs may be abused (Abadinsky, 2018). For instance, the prevalence of cases of prescription drug abuse has been a matter of concern to players in the health care system. At the same time, individuals are overindulging in the use of recreational drugs, thus increasing the number of addiction cases. The increased use of recreational drugs has prompted synthetic manufacture of these drugs to cope with their increasing demand, which put the public at harm. Drugs are classified either as legal or illegal, depending on their perceived health benefits or effects (History.com Editors, 2017). Besides, the legality of drugs depends on the jurisdictions in which they are used. There is widespread confusion surrounding the legality of Molly, for it is often confused with MDMA, a drug that cures depression.
Most Americans think that Molly is the pure form of MDMA. This confusion creates a false sense of privilege for they assert it for its purity. Users argue that, being a pure form of 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), a drug that was initially designed to cure depression does not put them at any health risks. However, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) says that the chemical composition of Molly rarely contain MDMA. The drug is mainly a toxic mixture of synthetic chemicals. As such, today, most of the users are endangering their lives by consuming illegal substances while assuming that it is MDMA. In essence, in the last four years, only 13% of Molly that the DEA seized contained MDMA (Griffin, 2018). Even when Molly contained MDMA, it was observed that it still had some impurities such as Methylone, MDPV, 4-MEC, 4-MMC, Pentedrone, and MePP (Griffin, 2018). Contrary to popular opinion, Molly is contaminated with other illicit and dangerous drugs.
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The fact that the effects of Molly are similar to those of MDMA is contributing to its high usage. Most of the recreational drug users believe that Molly is less dangerous than ecstasy. However, the manufacturers of this illegal drug combine hazardous chemicals that can mimic the effects ecstasy (Stamates et al., 2017). In the end, Molly stimulates the central nervous system leading to euphoria. Other symptoms include a rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, constriction of the blood vessels, shivering, involuntary trembling, and prolific sweating. Moreover, Molly inhibits the body's ability to regulate body temperature. Some of the illegal drugs that are contained in Molly are known to cause sustained and robust panic attacks, seizures, and psychosis. As the effects cool down, the user becomes depressed. In extreme cases, the consequences can lead to death (Abadinsky, 2018). Even though Molly and MDMA have similar effects, the chemicals found in Molly can have devastating effects.
Drug peddlers are promoting the consumption of Molly by disguising it as MDMA. For a long time, drug traffickers have been marketing Molly to first-time drug users. It is believed that at least 0.2% of American residents aged 12 years and above have used Molly at one point in their lives (Saleemi et al., 2017). The drug is also popular during music concerts. Whereas most users think that what they are consuming contains MDMA, research shows that they are not. For instance, between 2004 and 2011, there was 120% increase in the number of emergency room visits resulting from “MDMA” toxicity (Saleemi et al., 2017). In 2011 alone, more than 22,000 such visits were reported. However, during the same period, the number of emergency room visits caused by toxicity of other drugs remained the same (Saleemi et al., 2017). These findings, therefore, show that what people consider to be MDMA in the streets is a mixture harmful chemical. In the end, the first-time drug users and party-goers end up addicted to Molly while assuming that they are consuming MDMA.
Molly takes many different forms. Although it mostly takes the form of a capsule or a powder, there are some injectables and tablets. On most occasions, the illegal manufacturers of this drug distribute it in different types to confuse its users. Most of the recreational users of these drugs are trapped under the illusion that what they are consuming is harmless. However, unlike MDMA, Molly is a toxic mix of mysterious chemicals in that users do not know the chemical compositions of what they are consuming. Furthermore, continuous adulterations of the lab-made chemicals contained in Molly without any regard to how they may affect the user (Stamates et al., 2017). Thus, two similar packets of Molly might contain entirely different chemical mixtures. These variations have led to the sharp increase in number of molly-related deaths among American youths. The various forms of Molly put users at more health risks in the long-term period.
Molly is one of the most adulterated drugs, yet its users perceive it to be a safer drug than other stimulants. In essence, they believe that unlike other illicit drugs, Molly is unadulterated. Furthermore, marketers intentionally brand the drug under fantasy names such as “Alice in Wonderland.” The use of kid-friendly names makes the drug appear as fun and harmless. It also helps in promoting brand recognition. Nevertheless, counterfeiters often target brands that are most appealing to consumers (Steinhardt et al., 2014). Eventually, users find themselves consuming synthetic drugs unknowingly while thinking that they are consuming MDMA. The other way that the drug is adulterated is through its powder form. Even though the table form is more difficult to imitate, people prefer the powder form, for they often associate powders with purity (Steinhardt et al., 2014). The ease of counterfeiting the drug makes it unsafe for abusers.
The popularity of Molly in the U.S. is as a result of its normalization. The drug is considered to be a regular part of pop culture leading to its growing popularity among the youth. Numerous television shows such as Sex and the City idolize the drug as fun, exciting, and with little harm (Rigg & Estreet, 2018). Similarly, pop artists such as Madonna, Miley Cyrus, Lil Wayne, Kanye West, among others, make reference to the drug in their songs and during concerts (Rigg & Estreet, 2018). This normalization of the dangerous drug, in turn, has been detrimental for it lures new users to try the drug. As a consequence, there has been a sharp increase in the number of African American users of the drug. Historically, this population was not associated with the abuse of the drug. Currently, at least 89% of all emergency room visits relating to molly toxicity are by African Americans (Rigg & Estreet, 2018). The normalization of the drug has increased the addiction rates among American residents.
The presence of harmful drugs in Molly increases the risk factors among users. Research studies have established links between the continued usages of this drug with certain high-risk behaviors. For instance, risky sexual behavior among the users of street MDMA is much higher than the case with individuals who abuse alcohol. Besides, the HIV prevalence among users is significantly higher for both men and women (Abadinsky, 2018). Among bisexuals and gays, the prevalence of unprotected sex, multiple sexual partners, and increased injection drug users are some of the attributes associated with the consumption of Molly. The illegal chemical compounds contained in Molly and sold as MDMA continue to jeopardize people's health.
The History of Molly
Molly has its roots in MDMA. However, in this case, what people consider to be MDMA is actually a mixture of toxic and illicit chemicals manufactured in laboratories by unscrupulous dealers. The origins of MDMA can be traced back to Germany. This drug was first developed synthetically in 1912 by a German pharmaceutical company called Merck. The drug was formerly known as Methylsafrylaminc (Bernschneider-Reif, Öxler, & Freudenmann, 2006). Initially, this drug was intended for medicinal purposes in the synthesis of bleeding control medication. This purpose contradicts the widely-held perceptions that it was developed to control appetite. Upon its discovery and initial trials, Merck patented it in 1914 and labeled it as having potential pharmaceutical value. However, further developments of this drug would take place decades later.
MDMA also claims some historical contribution to the Cold War as both the CIA and the U.S. Army experimented its use alongside other hallucinogenic drugs for suitability in chemical warfare. These experiments took place in the 1950s under the code name MK-Ultra and were aimed at applying MDMA as an agent for mind control (Passie & Benzenhöfer, 2018). However, the experimental use of this drug was carried out on non-human subjects, and the results remain relevant to this day as a basis for MDMA toxicological studies.
Despite having not received formal approval in the U.S., this drug commanded a substantial following in the 1970s and 1980s. It was widely believed by psychiatrists to enhance patient communication and insights into their problems. The psychiatric use of this drug is attributed to its wide availability in the streets. The DEA banned its use in 1985 and listed it in schedule 1 of drugs. Schedule 1 drugs are defined as those not accepted for medicinal use and with a high propensity for being abused (Meyer, 2013). MDMA continues to have a large fan base many years after its discovery.
In the U.S., the use of MDMA has close links with electronic dance music events and the rave culture embedded in society. The venues for these events, which are mostly concealed, provide an apt environment for alcohol and drug abuse. In the 1980s, raves became popular in Europe and the U.S. concurrent with the increased street availability and use of MDMA, leading to this drug being a mainstay in these raves. Besides, the prevalence in MDMA use during these events is associated with the perceived spiritual aspects that revelers related to the sense of acceptance and harmony that its intake provides (History.com Editors, 2017). The spread of MDMA usage became popular in the U.S. among white professionals leading to its acquisition of the name “yuppie drug.” The usage of this drug was also initially prevalent among individuals who were part of what was known as the New Age spiritual movement (Abadinsky, 2018). However, with time, MDMA consumption has transcended over the ethnic boundaries and is now commonly use among African American community and university students in the U.S.
Today, MDMA is a mixture of laboratory-manufactured chemicals. These synthetic drugs are what are known by many as Molly. The manufacturers of Molly utilize several toxic substances such as mercury, ammonium chloride, and formaldehyde. Most of these chemicals originate from China. Once they have manufactured the contents, the Chinese dealers sell the drugs online to cartels in the U.S. and other countries (Griffin, 2018). The cartels then mix the chemicals and distribute them either as capsules, tablets, or powders. However, it is difficult for law enforcers to control these illegal substances from entering the country for a number of reasons. First, it is challenging to keep updated with new chemical compounds since the cartels and manufacturers are creating new ones as soon as others are banned (Griffin, 2018). Secondly, most of the chemical formulas for these compounds are discovered by legitimate scientists whose discoveries fail to meet some safety threshold (Griffin, 2018). Finally, clandestine chemists are making use of academic literature to create new compounds every day (Griffin, 2018). The drug that is sold as MDMA in the market today is mainly Molly, a mixture of toxic substances.
References
Abadinsky, H. (2018). Drug use and abuse: A comprehensive introduction (9th Edition). Cengage Learning
Bernschneider-Reif, S., Öxler, F., & Freudenmann, R. W. (2006). The origin of MDMA (‘ecstasy’)–separating the facts from the myth. Die Pharmazie-An International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences , 61 (11), 966-972. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/d0db/5ee342bd20cf96614ccc575d7b7d575e0d9a.pdf
Griffin, D. (2018, March 29). 9 things everyone should know about the drug Molly. CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/22/health/9-things-molly-drug/index.html
History.com Editors. (2017, August 21). MDMA. History. https://www.history.com/topics/crime/history-of-mdma
Meyer, J. S. (2013). 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA): Current perspectives. Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation , 4 , 83–99. https://doi.org/10.2147/SAR.S37258
Rigg, K. K., & Estreet, A. T. (2018). MDMA (ecstasy/molly) use among African Americans: The perceived influence of hip-hop/rap music. Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse , 18 (4), 667-677. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332640.2018.1430646
Passie, T., & Benzenhöfer, U. (2016). The history of MDMA as an underground drug in the United States, 1960–1979. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 48 (2), 67-75. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2015.1128580
Saleemi, S., Pennybaker, S. J., Wooldridge, M., & Johnson, M. W. (2017). Who is “Molly”? MDMA adulterants by product name and the impact of harm-reduction services at raves. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 31 (8), 1056–1060. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881117715596
Stamates, A. L., Linden-Carmichael, A. N., Sheehan, B. E., Preonas, P. D., & Lau-Barraco, C. (2017). An examination of the most recent episode of molly use among college students. Journal of Drug Issues, 47 (2), 309–316. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022042616687283
Steinhardt, S. J., Moore, T. R., & Casella, S. S. (2014). Have you seen Molly? A review of Molly in primary literature. Mental Health Clinician , 4 (5), 231-235. https://doi.org/10.9740/mhc.n207181
