Commonly known as ecstasy, Molly, or methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA is a synthetic or man-made drug that produces hallucinogenic and stimulating side effects.

Molly can be taken in a variety of ways, including orally as a tablet or capsule or as a powder that can be snorted or mixed into liquids. However, there’s another way of taking this drug called microdosing that’s becoming more popular among avid users. Today, we’re going to examine the effects of microdosing MDMA and the associated risks.

What Is Microdosing?

Microdosing is the action or practice of taking or administering small doses of a drug to test or benefit from its side effects while avoiding adverse reactions. When it comes to MDMA, people usually take 125 milligrams (mg) of the drug or more to experience an energizing, euphoric, and mind-altering high.

When taken in its usual doses, Molly increases the activity of neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Since a common dose of Molly is anywhere from 80 to 125 milligrams (mg), taking half of these doses or less can be considered microdosing.

Like other amphetamines, MDMA not only enhances the release of these chemicals but also blocks their reuptake or reabsorption. As a result, Molly use causes a flood of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, producing side effects like increased alertness, elevated mood, euphoria, and mind-altering side effects like hallucinations.

As of recently, more people are claiming that micro Molly dosing elevates mood and reduces depression symptoms. But is this true?

Risks and Side Effects of Microdosing Molly

While many people believe that microdosing MDMA has its benefits, this isn’t necessarily true. MDMA is addictive and often contains various unknown chemicals.

Because it’s made in random labs, it’s hard to exactly tell what is in MDMA and determine what doses are “safe” to take. Additionally, long-term use of MDMA, however small these doses may be, can also lead to tolerance, physical dependence, and addiction.

Furthermore, while many claim that this drug has benefits when taken in small doses, Molly directly impacts a variety of neurotransmitters and inhibits their reuptake, an action that’s also common in other addictive drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine. Thus, it’s safe to say that chronic misuse can lead to physical dependence, plus it can worsen the symptoms of mental illness.

Additionally, side effects of microdosing Molly include:

• Increased alertness
• Elevated mood
• Energy
• Enhanced sociability

While these side effects may not seem all that scary, long-term use of MDMA can lead to addiction.

Also, there’s no concrete evidence to support the pros of taking small doses of Molly every so often. Some studies actually disprove this theory with evidence suggesting that microdosing can decrease activity in the long run by reducing activity in certain regions of the brain once the drug’s side effects wear off. One study, in particular, found that microdosing Molly induced an intense psychedelic state associated with reductions in neural activity in brain regions such as the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC).¹

Additionally, taking MDMA and other psychedelics poses extreme health risks. Assuming the Molly purchased hasn’t been laced with other cutting agents or harmful substances, the effects of microdosing can be unpredictable. It’s difficult to determine how potent a particular dose is because the drug is sold on the black market. The potential for physical dependence and addiction should be considered, as well.

MDMA’s effects on the brain make it addictive, and taking it frequently, even in small doses, opens the door to increased drug-taking behavior. It’s normal for people to develop a physical tolerance to a drug that they take often.

Once you become accustomed to one dose, you may need to increase your dose to achieve the desired effects. This continuous cycle eventually opens the doorway to compulsive and continual drug-taking behavior.

From Microdosing to Macrodosing

Frequent microdosing of drugs can eventually lead to a curiosity regarding the macrodosing of drugs. Although more common among LSD users, macrodosing refers to taking enough of a particular drug – most often LSD or shrooms – to feel colors and sounds.

While this may sound like a fun time, taking high doses of drugs increases your risk of a bad trip on MDMA (unpleasant high characterized by disturbing hallucinations and delusions), as well as overdose. Taking MDMA can also be life-threatening for people with underlying heart and kidney problems, as it increases heart rate and breathing and puts strain on the liver.

Get Help Today

The bottom line is that while many claim that there are pros to using MDMA and other illicit drugs, these positives are rare, and supporting evidence is scarce. Rather, there’s more evidence to support the opposite.

Any form of substance abuse can be dangerous and even life-threatening. Experimentation with drugs isn’t worth risking your physical and mental well-being.

If you’re struggling with drug or alcohol abuse, our Pompano drug rehab can help. We offer various levels of substance abuse treatment, including inpatient and outpatient services to help individuals at every stage of recovery heal from addiction and transition to a drug-free life after rehab.

To learn how our addiction and mental health treatment in Pompano can help you overcome your condition and live the life you want, call Banyan Treatment Centers today at 888-280-4763.