The
drug Molly has recently become popular with many teens. Molly has been around
for a hundred years. The drug has gotten so much attention from the media
(i.e.: TV, newspapers, internet) because of the recent few deaths involving the
drug. Many teens do not realize how dangerous Molly can be; they think it is a
harmless drug, which it is not.
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| Csomor, Marina. 2012. CNN. Retrieved from: http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/16/health/molly-mdma-drug |
History
The German company Merck patented MDMA
(which Molly comes from), in 1913, as a diet pill; the company later decided to
not sell the drug.[1]
The man who is responsible for the study of the drug today is Alexander
Shulgin.[2]
Shulgin also held patents for several other drugs that later became illegal.[2] In 1985, MDMA received massive media
attention when a group of people sued the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to
try and prevent them from placing the drug on the category Schedule 1.[1] The judge recommend putting the drug on
Schedule 3, which would allowed the drug to be made, used on prescription
medicine, and to be studied further.[1]
In the end, the DEA put MDMA on Schedule 1, which banned it completely.[2]
Explanation
Molly
is a part of the drug MDMA, which is short for
3,4-methlyenedioxymethamphetamine.
That very long word looks like another language, right? Well, the word is just
the scientific name for the drug. Molly is man-made, which means that the drug
came from people making it instead of it coming from a plant. Molly is a
mind-altering drug that can make you energized and cause hallucinogens. Other
names for Molly are: Ecstasy, X, E, love drug, Adam, and some others.
Effects
Molly
has some major short-term and long-term side effects. Some short-term effects
may include: “an enhanced sense of self-confidence and energy, feelings of
peacefulness, acceptance and empathy, closeness with others and a desire to
touch other.”[3] Now, you may be thinking that these effects don’t sound
bad at all! And you’re right; these
do not. Other (and worse) effects may include: “involuntary teeth clenching, a
loss of inhibitions, transfixion on sights and sounds, nausea, blurred vision,
chills and/or sweating, increase in heat rate and blood pressure, as well as
seizures.”[3] These effects do not sound pleasant at all. Many people
that take Molly think that the effects will only include the ones that I listed
first, and not the last.
Taking the drug Molly can also cause some major long-term
effects. Repeated use of Molly “may damage the cells that produce Serotonin.”[3] Serotonin “has an important
role in the regulation of mood, appetite, pain, learning, and memory.”[3] A list of long-term effects
can include: “confusion, depression, sleep problems, drug craving, severe
anxiety, possible depletion of serotonin and memory, and death.”[4]
Recent Tragedies
On August 31st, a 23-year-old Syracuse University
graduate and a 20-year-old University of New Hampshire student died after
taking Molly at the Electric Zoo Festival in New York.[5] These deaths and other
reported overdoses resulted in the festival to cancel their last day.[5] A University of Virginia student, who took
Molly, died the same weekend at a rave in Washington, D.C.[5] Days earlier in Boston, a 19-year-old died
in a club, along with three overdoses at the waterfront.[5] Four deaths have occurred in the same week
because of the drug Molly. That says something. It says that Molly is not to be
messed with, because anyone who takes it could end up with serious problems, or
worse.
Video
If you click on the video I listed below, it will explain more
about the drug Molly and how Molly has come into our music.
[1] Bellis, M. (n.d.). The Invention of MDMA or
Ecstasy. About.com. Retrieved November 14, 2013, from
http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa9
[2] History of Ecstasy (MDMA). (n.d.). Narconon.
Retrieved November 14, 2013, from
http://www.narconon.org/drug-information/ecstasy-history.html
[3] Ecstasy. (n.d.). The Partnership at
Drugfreeorg. Retrieved November 14, 2013, from
http://www.drugfree.org/drug-guide/ecstasy
[4] Ecstasy. (n.d.). CESAR. Retrieved
November 15, 2013, from http://www.cesar.umd.edu/cesar/drugs/ecstasy.asp
[5] Drug 'Molly' is taking a party toll in the United States. (2013, September 30). Fox News. Retrieved November 14, 2013, from http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/09/30/drug-molly-is-taking-party-toll-in-united-states/
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