Clubbing remains popular in Arizona, especially in cities like Phoenix and Scottsdale where there’s no shortage of rooftop lounges, trendy bars, and nightclubs.
While many people who party after dark engage in alcohol use, it’s not uncommon for other substances to turn up, including ecstasy. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed that nearly 2.2 million people over the age of 12 said they used ecstasy in 2023.
Ecstasy is most popular in all-night dance party settings, such as technos and nightclubs. Even though it’s associated with being a fun “party drug,” ecstasy has potentially dangerous effects on the body. Being able to identify ecstasy in its various forms is crucial for understanding its risks and keeping you and others safe.
As a treatment center committed to educating individuals and their families, Wolf Creek Recovery offers treatment services for substance use disorders, including ecstasy use disorder. Let’s learn more about ecstasy identification, including how to distinguish between the different types and forms, as well as information on how to seek support for yourself or someone else in need.
The Things You Need to Know About Ecstasy
Ecstasy, commonly known as MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) or by street names like “molly” and “E,” is a synthetic psychoactive substance that alters mood and perception. It’s often associated with party and club culture, but this doesn’t mean that ecstasy isn’t dangerous. It comes with significant risks, including anxiety, paranoia, overheating, and dangerous increases in heart rate and blood pressure. Identifying ecstasy in its various forms is crucial for understanding its risks and taking steps toward harm reduction and prevention.
How to Identify Ecstasy
Ecstasy is unregulated, which means it can be extremely dangerous, especially when mixed with other substances. Identification is crucial, as it can help you spot adulterants and fakes, prevent overdose, and minimize risks.
Many ecstasy pills and powders are not pure MDMA. Rather, they often contain other substances such as amphetamines, ketamine, synthetic cathinones (“bath salts”), and fentanyl. These substances can cause dangerous complications, including accidental overdose. In fact, some batches of ecstasy contain no MDMA at all. While the safest approach is to avoid the substance entirely, harm reduction strategies like testing can decrease risks.
Different Forms of Ecstasy
Ecstasy is available in several different forms. The most common form is sold in pills or tablets, designed for oral consumption. They tend to be brightly colored, often stamped with unique logos, designs, or brand names. The dosage of MDMA in ecstasy pills and tablets varies significantly, and counterfeit pills may contain potentially dangerous chemicals like synthetic cathinones.
Molly is the powder form of MDMA, and it’s often marketed as a purer alternative to pills. Its appearance is a fine white or off-white powder, sometimes even light brown in color. It’s typically consumed orally, dissolved in liquid, or snorted. However, claims of purity are unreliable, as molly is frequently cut with other substances. Additionally, the powder form makes it easier to ingest larger doses of ecstasy.
Crystals are the purest form of MDMA, and they look like coarse, translucent crystals resembling sugar or salt. Like powder, crystal MDMA may be mixed with other substances. It’s typically ingested orally, dissolved in drinks, or crushed and snorted. However, variations in size and purity make dosing unpredictable. Other forms of MDMA include gelatin capsules filled with powder or crystals and liquid MDMA, which is created by dissolving MDMA powder in a liquid solution.
Where Ecstasy Comes From
Ecstasy is a synthetic substance, first synthesized in 1912 by chemist Anton Kollisch. The pharmaceutical company Merck patented the compound in 1914, though it remained largely unused for decades. MDMA resurfaced in the 1970s when it was used experimentally by psychiatrists as a therapeutic tool to help patients open up emotionally. At this time, the substance was not regulated or well-known. However, by the 1980s, MDMA gained popularity as a recreational substance, particularly in the nightclub and rave scenes. In 1985, the DEA classified MDMA as a Schedule I controlled substance.
MDMA is fully synthetic, meaning it does not occur naturally. The production of MDMA involves precursor chemicals, typically sourced from safrole or isosafrole, which are organic compounds extracted from the essential oils of plants like sassafras or camphor trees. MDMA production typically takes place in clandestine laboratories where the safrole is transformed into MDMA and mixed with other substances to increase volume. The mixtures are then pressed into pills, packed into powders, or sold as crystals.
What Ecstasy Looks Like
Recognizing ecstasy in its different forms can help keep you and others safe. Ecstasy pills are typically small, round, and brightly colored, often stamped with unique logos, symbols, or designs. They vary in thickness, shape, and size and are often marketed to younger users. Ecstasy powder (“molly”) is a fine, white or off-white powder sold in small, plastic bags or capsules. It’s often marketed as “pure MDMA” but tends to be adulterated with other substances.
MDMA crystals are coarse, translucent crystals that look like sugar or salt and sold in small bags or vials. They are also marketed as being “purer,” though they are often adulterated with other substances. Ecstasy capsules are transparent or opaque gelatin capsules filled with powder or crushed crystals, and liquid ecstasy is a clear or slightly colored liquid available in small vials, droppers, or bottles.
Different Types of Ecstasy
The terms “molly,” “ecstasy,” and “MDMA” are all used interchangeably, but there are important distinctions between the terms. MDMA refers to the chemical compound responsible for the psychoactive effects in both molly and ecstasy. It affects neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, leading to feelings of euphoria, emotional openness, and heightened sensory perception.
Molly is marketed as “pure MDMA” and is often promoted as being cleaner and safer than ecstasy pills, though this is just an illusion. Ecstasy is essentially MDMA in pill form, along with other substances. While there are small differences between molly, ecstasy, and MDMA, do not be fooled; one is not safer or purer than the other. All types of ecstasy can be dangerous.
What to Do if You Find Ecstasy
Finding ecstasy in any form can be a confusing and potentially concerning situation. Whether you’ve stumbled across it in your home, at a public event, or elsewhere, it’s essential to handle the situation safely and responsibly. Confirm and assess the situation, ensure safety for yourself and others, and decide on the next steps. If ecstasy was found in your home, have a direct and nonjudgmental conversation. Consider reaching out to a professional for guidance. If you found ecstasy in a public space, notify the authorities and let them handle the situation. To dispose of the substance on your own, contact a drug take-back program or contact your local police station or drug disposal center.
Getting Treatment for Ecstasy Use Disorder in Prescott, AZ
Ecstasy use disorder is a condition where a person becomes dependent on MDMA despite negative consequences. While many people view ecstasy as a “party drug,” it can lead to physical, emotional, and social harm. Fortunately, support is available. Treatment for ecstasy addiction typically involves a combination of peer support, therapy and counseling, and personal commitment.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps identify and change thought patterns that may have led to ecstasy use, such as believing that you are not worthy of love or success or that everyone dislikes you. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) teaches skills to manage emotions and improve interpersonal relationships. During your time in therapy, you will also learn to replace ecstasy use with positive habits and how to prevent return to use.
Seeking treatment for ecstasy use disorder is a brave step toward a healthier, more fulfilling life. Wolf Creek Recovery offers experiential treatment services for substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. Clients spend time working through challenges and learning new skills in individual and group therapy, and then they have the opportunity to practice these skills in outdoor therapy. Our staff is in various phases of recovery as well, which means everyone is working on their journey to healing together. Contact Wolf Creek Recovery at 833-732-8202 to learn more about our outpatient programs. Build a life you love.
FAQs About Ecstasy Identification
What does ecstasy look like?
Ecstasy typically comes in pill or tablet form but also appears as capsules, powder, or crystals. Tablets or pills are round, oval, or square and come in bright or pastel colors. Capsules are filled with powder or crystals and may be white, clear, or brightly colored. The powder or crystal form is a fine, white to off-white powder.
Where does ecstasy come from?
Ecstasy is a synthetic substance produced in clandestine laboratories. Its origins and production process involve several steps, including precursor chemicals such as safrole or sassafras oil being converted into MDMA.
What should I do if I find ecstasy?
If you find ecstasy at home, have a conversation with your loved one in a nonjudgmental way, showing concern and compassion. If you find ecstasy in public, notify the authorities and let them handle the situation.
