A molly gummy combination of drugs packed into gummy bears is making its way into the hands of unsuspecting young users. Molly gummies are often mixed with MDMA and other chemicals that are not always identified or labeled. The drug has been glamorized in pop culture, featuring in music by artists like Kanye West, Rick Ross, Miley Cyrus, and Madonna.

The chemical MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is known for euphoric effects that create feelings of emotional closeness and empathy with others. It also alters perception and provides a burst of energy. The National Institute on Drug Abuse explains that MDMA works by binding to serotonin transporters in the brain and blocking their normal function, causing a boost in mood, increased heart rate, reduced appetite, and heightened sensory perceptions.

Microdosing Molly: A Beginner’s Guide to Safe and Effective Use

When taken in its usual doses, MDMA increases the activity of neurotransmitters norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin. It can increase heart rate and energy, elevate mood, and reduce anxiety or depression. It can also lead to dangerous side effects, including paranoia and psychosis, or cause people to experience suicidal thoughts or acts.

Long-term use of MDMA can cause physical dependence and addiction, as well as deplete the brain’s natural production of important chemicals. It can also increase the sensitivity of some people to other substances, such as opioids or stimulants. It can also interact with certain medications, notably antidepressants and sedatives used to treat mental illness. And it is often adulterated with other substances, such as the synthetic drug bath salts or the painkiller fentanyl.