Last Sunday, police in the UK issued a regional warning after a batch contaminated molly (MDMA) sent a group of teenage girls to the hospital. The incident is only the latest in a series of hospitalizations and near fatalities associated with the designer drug and is, by no means, typical to any specific geographic region. Heavily favored among the EDM (electronic dance music) community, molly has practically become a staple at EDM festivals, as well as other live music events. Users say it enhances positive experience, promotes a sense of “warmth” and emotional well being and increases energy for prolonged periods of time; however, molly has another special and unique quality: a dangerous lack of predictability that can lead to hospitalization and worse.

Molly Users Often Don’t Know What They’re Taking

A recent study from NYU reiterated what many molly users and their loved ones have often had to find out the hard way: that the contents of the drug can vary greatly from batch to batch. Molly users, specifically those who take the drug at EDM parties were at greater risk for unknowingly using substances like bath salts and methamphetamine. The study was published in the International Journal of Drug Policy and examined hair samples of participants and found that over half had tested positive for bath salts, which they didn’t report because they didn’t know they had taken them. Among contaminated molly users testing positive for drugs they denied using, about seven out of ten tested positive for ‘bath salts’, methamphetamine, and/or other new stimulants.

What Can Be Done?

Contaminated molly is a fact of life and a very real danger for users in all cultures and circles. What many consider a harmless buzz or an experience enhancer can very easily lead to a trip to the hospital because of factors users never bargained for. Would-be users would do well to ask themselves if it’s really worth the risk.