Ecstasy, molly, MDMA: What health practitioners need to know about this common recreational drug.
Disease-a-month : DM March 1, 2025 Andrew M Farrar, Isabelle H Nordstrom, Kaitlyn Shelley et al. 7 citations
MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy or molly, is a substituted amphetamine used recreationally for euphoria, increased energy, and prosocial effects like empathy. Acute adverse effects include hyperthermia, dehydration, bruxism, and diaphoresis, while post-intoxication issues such as insomnia, anhedonia, anxiety, depression, and memory impairment can persist for days. MDMA acts by releasing dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin through interference with vesicular storage and transporter function. Illicit MDMA is often adulterated or replaced with other drugs like synthetic cathinones or methamphetamine, complicating medical intervention. This review covers MDMA's legal status, use patterns, pharmacological properties, health effects, and drug interactions, emphasizing harm reduction strategies to aid healthcare providers in treating adverse effects.