Let’s Talk About Molly: Controversy vs Awareness

Molly has been getting a lot of mainstream exposure as of late thanks mostly to Madonna’s controversial attempt to get in with the kids. And now that the track from Cedric Gervais to which she was allegedly referring has dropped. So what?

Let’s talk about it. Let’s talk about a drug that is becoming overwhelmingly popular and the steps we can take to have a safer experience. I neither condemn nor condone the use of MDMA both in and out of the EDM scene (and that goes for any other drug including alcohol). I do, however, encourage anyone and everyone to make rational and informed decisions and to be as safe as possible.

First of all, if you’re going to experiment at all, know what you’re doing. Talk to friends who may have experimented, check out resources like Bunk Police for information and testing kits, and know where your drugs are coming from. Sometimes people get drunk and buy a bag of something for $20 in Chinatown. That is the opposite of what is safe. Please throw away the bag of drugs you purchased while blacked out. It takes a trustworthy source to procure pure MDMA and not knowing what your pills are cut with can cause adverse effects. For an in depth article on the MDNA “Molly” scene in California, check out this article on Details.

Next, stay hydrated. The reversal in your serotonin receptors can overheat your body and cause severe dehydration. If you don’t feel well, let someone know and get the help you need. Knowing exactly what is going into your body is also a good idea. Whether you want to try LSD, mushrooms, molly, ecstasy, marijuana, alcohol or a combination, do your research. “Candyflipping,” or mixing hallucinogens with MDMA can be very powerful and may do weird things to you. Think twice before trying that at a music festival. You don’t want to be this girl. On another note, charging $5 for a $1 bottle of water (which is already an extremely inflated price) is a pretty sure way to make sure kids skimp out on water. This is not what we want. Electric Zoo does a pretty good job of having free water available, but UMF definitely needs to step up their game on that front. And the number one rule to keep in mind is that less is more. You can always take another dose of whatever you choose later, but if you take too much now, there is now going back and you’ll have to ride it out. Finally, make sure you have a friend looking out for you. Both from yourself and others. In my experience, ravers tend to be considerate and respectful. While, I’ve never noticed someone trying to take advantage of a person who was out of it, particularly at festivals, you can never be too careful.

A common misconception is that the EDM scene is all about drugs, which is a shame because it perpetuates a stigma and a stereotype that isn’t true. I have been to three large scale EDM festivals during which I made a ton of temporary friends, all of whom have been on various substances from Molly to alcohol to hallucinogens. But some have been completely sober. Listening to the peaks and drops and wobbles alone is enough to elevate you to the highest peaks, send chills coursing through your veins and flutter a few butterflies in your stomach the way a high school crush might have once upon a time. It’s about Peace, Love, Unity & Respect. It’s about sharing a unique experience with strangers that somehow become friends. Most of all, it’s about looking out for one another. Molly and other substances aren’t necessary to enjoy a rave or music festival. Many DJs, like Bassnectar’s Lorin, have chosen to stay sober and are happier for it. Meanwhile, Deadmau5 publicly opposes linking drug use with EDM as evidenced by the Madonna debacle.

However, if you do choose to seek out drugs, get educated and practice harm reduction strategies. Check out dancesafe.org for more information and check out the trailer for After EDC, a documentary in post-production about the aftermath of 2010’s Electric Daisy Carnival that hopes to raise awareness about harm reduction and staying safe in the rave community. And please remember, while some drugs may allude to interesting experiences or be glorified, abuse can lead to serious irreversible brain damage, so play safe so we can all play another day.

Molly has been getting a lot of mainstream exposure as of late thanks mostly to Madonna’s controversial attempt to get in with the kids. And now that the track to which she was allegedly referring has dropped. So what?

Have something to say? Let’s make this a discussion. Post your comments below or tweet @EDMinsider to keep the conversation going and raise awareness.

About the Author

Alessandra Calderin Notorious for her legendary dance offs, Alessandra lives in New York City where she writes for EDMInsider and galavants about. She prefers her EDM outdoors or in sketchy Brooklyn warehouses but will occasionally "hit da club" if you really want her to. She tweets about music, film, yoga and weird thoughts. She doesn't update her tumblr nearly as often as she should. Her spirit animal is Harley Quinn.

Ike

Your advice about starting small and taking more later does not apply to Molly. Redosing with Molly is a good way to fuck yourself up emotionally.
http://www.facebook.com/yummyumm.good Yumm Yumm Good

I have been listening to house music long before I knew that any drug was available to me. I was always ashamed to admit to people the music I was listening to so as not to be referred to or even thought of as somebody who did dugs because I was listening to this music. THANK YOU PHIL DONAHUE That being said there would be a time in my life where it did become part of my party lifestyle but just like experimenting with anything you never and I mean never take “candy” from strangers. You must trust the people you are with just a you wold trust somebody to stay sober in the group to get you home. I am also here to tell you that I am now substance free; by choice and mostly due in part that I found myself getting into more of the music I love to play. On a side note I have also been witness; this not so new phenomenon, that the taking of mood enhancing substances, was due in part to relaxing you in front of LARGE amounts of people. Let’s face it how many of you before you started attending these large festivals felt comfortable being around a large group of people you never knew. If you are going to party be safe, know your boundaries. The nice thing is HOUSE/EDM/RAVE are alot safer in terms of non-volient behavior and drug/alcohol related incidents. Study the statistcs. You can be responsible and still have a GREAT TIME!!!