What's the difference between molly and ecstasy?

Dear High on life and life alone,

What's in a name? Slang terms for substances can be confusing, so you can rest assured that you're not the only one asking this question. The quick answer is that ecstasy and molly are both slang terms for 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine, better known as MDMA. So what's the difference between the two and how can someone know if what they’re taking is really MDMA? It's difficult to say because MDMA is an illegal, unregulated substance. Further complicating it, the slang terms are also unregulated (more on this in a bit). At its most basic level, molly is generally sold in pure powder form, while ecstasy is usually sold in pill form.

For those who are unfamiliar, MDMA is a synthetic, psychoactive drug that some people take because it produces feelings of euphoria, warmth, increased energy, and empathy, often being considering both a stimulant and a hallucinogen. It can come as a capsule or tablet that users swallow; however, some folks take it as a liquid or snort the crystalline powdered form. And while it may produce some seemingly positive effects, it can also cause the user to experience nausea, involuntary teeth clenching, blurred vision, and muscle cramps. What’s more, because it's not regulated, MDMA may contain other substances (anything from sugar and caffeine to methamphetamines and cocaine). These additional substances could lead to a whole host of other side effects.

Back to the nitty-gritty of your specific question, Molly is often considered the purer form of MDMA. Why? Many users believe that molly contains more MDMA and less filler compared to ecstasy pills, which users generally expect will have been cut with ingredients other than MDMA. But, as noted earlier, there are no regulations or quality control over the actual content in these illegal substances, so it's unknown how much MDMA is contained in either molly or ecstasy, no matter what it’s called.

Kudos for asking more questions about molly and ecstasy! Even though the answer isn’t as clear cut, knowing more about various substances can inform many health and well-being decisions. But, if you want to get more information about hallucinogens and stimulants in general, the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) is a great resource.