What Does a Molly Comedown Feel Like?

Molly is the slang term for a drug known as ecstasy or MDMA. It is considered an empathogen-entactogen drug that has both stimulant and hallucinogenic properties.[1] Side effects of Molly might include an increased connection with others, heightened energy, and changes in sensory perception, making it a popular drug in the club and rave scene.

MDMA works by increasing the release of neurotransmitters in the brain like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Once the effects wear off, you might feel depressed, anxious, or exhausted. This is known as an MDMA comedown.

Molly comedown symptoms can be difficult to cope with, especially if you have underlying mental health conditions like depression or anxiety disorders. This article will explore MDMA comedowns. You will learn:

• What are the effects of Molly
• What causes the MDMA comedown
• What to expect during an ecstasy comedown
• Can you prevent yourself from experiencing a comedown

What are the Effects of MDMA?

The effects of ecstasy range from increased empathy and heightened mood to increased energy levels and dehydration. When abusing MDMA, staying hydrated is incredibly important. According to the DEA, “Severe dehydration can result from the combination of the drug’s effects and the crowded and hot conditions in which the drug is often taken.”[2]

When you take Molly, you might experience:[2]

• Empathy and connection to others
• Increased energy and self-confidence
• Feelings of euphoria and pleasure
• Changes in sensory perception
• Synesthesia
• Confusion or anxiety
• Insomnia
• Muscle tension and teeth clenching
• Shaking or tremors
• Excessive sweating
• Blurry vision

The effects of MDMA begin within 30 to 45 minutes of swallowing it. Typically, the symptoms you experience will subside within 4 to 6 hours.

Why Does the Ecstasy Comedown Occur?

When you take ecstasy, it causes your brain to release all of the serotonin available. Once the effects wear off, your brain is completely depleted of serotonin.[3] This is what causes you to experience the symptoms of a Molly comedown.

It is important to note that while the comedown can be hard to cope with, it is not life-threatening. The best thing to do is get rest, drink plenty of water, and avoid taking more MDMA. The more often you consume ecstasy, the more likely it becomes that you will experience severe comedown symptoms.

Even further, repeatedly abusing Molly could lead to the development of addiction. If you suffer from MDMA addiction, you will have a hard time controlling how much of it you use, experience cravings to abuse it, and suffer from ecstasy withdrawal symptoms when you stop consuming it.

What to Expect When Coming Down Off Molly

The symptoms of an MDMA comedown can range from mild to severe. You might experience the following:

• Profound fatigue
• Sleep disturbances
• Muscle aches
• Lessened appetite
• Irritability and anxiousness
• Depression and persistent sadness
• Emotional numbness
• Suicidal thoughts

Usually, a Molly comedown will last about 24 hours. The physical symptoms you experience result from your body trying to recuperate after so much energy is used.

If you have heard of serotonin syndrome, you might notice that some of the symptoms are similar to an ecstasy comedown. Knowing the difference between these two experiences is important, as serotonin syndrome can be life-threatening and requires medical treatment. Serotonin syndrome would begin earlier than a comedown, as an excess of serotonin in the brain causes it.[4]

Can You Prevent an MDMA Comedown?

If you want to prevent yourself from experiencing a Molly comedown, the easiest way is by refraining from using ecstasy. If you are set on abusing MDMA, you have to understand that there is no way to guarantee you will not experience comedown symptoms. However, there might be some ways to make your symptoms less severe.

First, you should avoid taking high doses of MDMA. The higher the dose, the more severe your comedown will be. Instead, use small amounts that prevent you from dealing with the negative side effects.

Additionally, you’ll want to use pure MDMA instead of Molly which is mixed or adulterated with other drugs. Combining other substances with ecstasy will make your comedown symptoms worse and harder to predict. You can find testing kits online to see what substances are inside your drugs before you decide to use them.

While these tips might not prevent you from feeling depressed or anxious the next day, they might save you from more severe symptoms. Additionally, testing for purity and taking small doses will prevent you from dealing with a life-threatening overdose. It could lessen your chances of developing an addiction as well.

Find Help for MDMA Abuse

If you or a loved one suffers from ecstasy drug abuse, it’s time to seek professional help. Addiction treatment centers can provide you with the tools and support you need to overcome your attachment to addictive substances like MDMA.

At the Mandala Healing Center, we understand the importance of evidence-based treatments. We offer services like medical detox, behavioral therapy, and relapse prevention planning.

Contact us today for more information on our ecstasy addiction treatment program.

References:

1. Sage Journals: Methylenedioxymethamphetamine is a connectogen with empathogenic, entactogenic, and still further connective properties
2. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): Ecstasy/MDMA
3. Science Daily: Ecstasy Use Depletes Brain’s Serotonin Levels
4. Science Direct: Recreational Ecstasy/MDMA, the serotonin syndrome, and serotonergic neurotoxicity