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Who is ‘Molly’? MDMA adulterants by product name and the impact of harm-reduction services at raves

Sarah Saleemi, Steven Pennybaker, Missi Wooldridge, Matthew W. Johnson

Journal of Psychopharmacology July 10, 2017 DOI: 10.1177/0269881117715596 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Observational study Peer reviewed
Sample size 529
Population Substances sold as Ecstasy or Molly collected at U.S. music festivals from 2010 to 2015
Duration 2010 to 2015
Topics MDMA
Keywords Pill Harm reduction Hallucinogen Toxicology
Citations 97
Key findings Only 60% of samples contained MDMA, with no difference between Ecstasy and Molly, and pill-testing reduced intent to use non-MDMA products.

Abstract

Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), often sold as ‘Ecstasy’ or ‘Molly’, is commonly used at music festivals and reported to be responsible for an increase in deaths over the last decade. Ecstasy is often adulterated and contains compounds that increase morbidity and mortality. While users and clinicians commonly assume that products sold as Molly are less-adulterated MDMA products, this has not been tested. Additionally, while pill-testing services are sometimes available at raves, the assumption that these services decrease risky drug use has not been studied. This study analyzed data collected by the pill-testing organization, DanceSafe, from events across the United States from 2010 to 2015. Colorimetric reagent assays identified MDMA in only 60% of the 529 samples collected. No significant difference in the percentage of samples testing positive for MDMA was determined between Ecstasy and Molly. Individuals were significantly less likely to report intent to use a product if testing did not identify MDMA (relative risk (RR) = 0.56, p = 0.01). Results suggest that Molly is not a less-adulterated substance, and that pill-testing services are a legitimate harm-reduction service that decreases intent to consume potentially dangerous substances and may warrant consideration by legislators for legal protection. Future research should further examine the direct effects of pill-testing services and include more extensive pill-testing methods.

Comparable studies

Other observational and cohort studies on MDMA, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Subjective Reports of the Effects of MDMA in a Clinical Setting Individuals who took MDMA in a clinical setting 1986 Observational study
Memory impairment in abstinent MDMA ("Ecstasy") users Abstinent MDMA users 1998 Observational cohort
Impaired cognitive performance in drug free users of recreational ecstasy (MDMA) Otherwise healthy young people 2000 Observational
The Psychological and Physiological Effects of MDMA on Normal Volunteers Older, more educated, drug-experienced individuals 1986 Observational cohort
Cognitive performance in recreational users of MDMA or 'ecstasy': evidence for memory deficits Young people who were regular or novice MDMA users, or non-users 1998 Observational cohort n = 30

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