Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — A drug with an innocent-sounding name is increasingly being sold by dealers who claim it is as benign as its name.
"Molly," short for molecule, is the powder form of MDMA, and is being marketed as a pure form of Ecstasy. MDMA is the chemical used to create the Ecstasy. The drug — often laced with highly addictive drugs such as cocaine, meth, and bath salts — is starting to be recognized and filling hospital emergency rooms. ¬ "What they actually took is not what they thought they took," Dr. Timothy Dougherty of Lee Memorial Hospital in Cape Coral, Florida told NBC.
Last summer, it was popular at music festivals, but its reputation has exploded with the release of the song "Molly" by Tyga, Dougherty said. Other artists, including Lil' Wayne, Kanye West and Madonna have referred to the powerful drug.
Between 2004 and 2009, there was a 123 percent increase in MDMA-related emergency room visits, according to DrugFree.org.
"Molly" can cause confusion, anxiety, depression, paranoia, difficulty sleeping, and drug cravings, as well as physical problems like muscle tension and cramps, tremors, nausea, faintness, chills, sweating, and blurred vision.
"High doses of MDMA can interfere with the ability to regulate body temperature, resulting in a sharp increase in body temperature (hyperthermia), leading to liver, kidney and cardiovascular failure," the Drug Enforcement Administration reported. "Severe dehydration can result from the combination of the drug's effects and the crowded and hot conditions in which the drug is often taken."
Contributing:NBC News
