MDMA, otherwise known as Ecstasy or molly, is a synthetic drug that alters mood and perception. It has both stimulant and hallucinogenic properties.
The ‘comedown’ period, or the period directly after the molly high, can come with adverse effects.
Molly comedown effects include:
- depression
- anxiety or panic attacks
- loss of appetite
- insomnia
- paranoia
- aggression/irritability
- impulsivity
- lack of motor control
- fatigue
- psychosis
- memory problems
- loss of focus
- hallucinations
- loss of interest in sex
How Long Does Molly Last In The System?
Molly takes effect in about 30 minutes and lasts three to six hours in a person’s system.
Because the drug wears off after a few hours, many people take additional doses as the effects of the last dose wear off.
The higher the intake, the greater the comedown effects.
What Causes Molly Comedown Effects?
Molly shares the chemical properties of both stimulants and hallucinogens.
It can make a person feel more energetic and happy, while also distorting the senses and time perception.
Molly works by increasing dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine levels in the brain.
Dopamine increases energy and activity, serotonin affects things like mood and sleep, and norepinephrine increases heart rate and blood pressure.
When the effects of the drug wear off, a person who’s taken molly will experience hangover-like effects as the brain is no longer being supplied with the extra chemicals.
A person also goes through withdrawal as the body detoxes after drug use.
How The Comedown Effects Of Molly Contribute To Addiction
Research has not concluded whether molly is addictive. But regular MDMA use does alter chemical systems that are associated with addiction and related behaviors.
The comedown effects of molly are often the very reason a person might take it in the first place, such as:
- feelings of depression and anxiety
- sleep deprivation
- loss of appetite
- other mental and physical effects
Because many of the comedown effects are the same feelings a person may be trying to avoid, molly can quickly become a source of relief.
Addiction forms out of the desire to supply that relief on a regular basis. If a person takes molly regularly, they can become addicted to the drug.
Overcoming Molly Abuse
If you or a loved one are struggling with molly abuse, professional help is available to you.
Contact our helpline and speak with an addiction specialist today to find a drug rehab center near you.
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- Mayo Clinic—Drug addiction (substance use disorder)
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/drug-addiction/symptoms-causes/syc-20365112?p=1 - National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)—MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly) DrugFacts
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/mdma-ecstasymolly - National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)—Is MDMA Addictive?
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/mdma-ecstasy-abuse/mdma-addictive - U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)—Ecstasy Or MDMA (also Known As Molly)
https://www.dea.gov/factsheets/ecstasy-or-mdma-also-known-molly
