There's something about Molly: The underresearched yet popular powder form of ecstasy in the United States

ABSTRACT

Molly has been the street name for powder or crystalline ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine [MDMA]) in the United States since the early 2000s; however, few studies have examined Molly use or included Molly in the definition of ecstasy/MDMA. Prevalence of self-reported ecstasy use is being underreported on surveys due to the lack of inclusion of “Molly,” although Molly is often so adulterated with novel psychoactive substances such as synthetic cathinones (“bath salts”) that the name “Molly” may no longer adequately represent ecstasy/MDMA. The author recommends that Molly use and Molly purity be further studied to more adequately inform prevention and harm reduction.

KEYWORDS:

• Ecstasy
• 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA)
• Molly

Author contribution

J. P. wrote this piece in its entirety and approved the final version.