Drug Molly gains popularity as 'party drug'

A powdered drug chemically known as methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and colloquially known as Molly -- or an active ingredient in the drug Ecstasy -- is making headlines after two young adults reportedly died after allegedly consuming it at a massive electronic music festival in New York City.

Four others who allegedly consumed the drug were hospitalized after NYC's Electric Zoo Music Festival.

Although Molly has been around for decades, recent celebrity endorsements from Kanye West, Miley Cyrus and Madonna seem to be behind the drug's sudden increase in popularity.

According to Local 15, users believe Molly is a "safe" or a "clean" party drug because it's man-made -- the drug was crated as a diet drug in 1974 and is currently in clinical trials to treat post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety in terminal cancer patients. However, experts claims those characteristics make MDMA even more dangerous because its impossible to know what is actually inside of it or how the body will react.

"It's no safer, it's no cleaner, it's no purer than Ecstasy," said DEA Agent Jason Capstraw.

Capstraw explained that Molly increases the user's blood pressure and heart rate.

"Basically what it ends up doing is that it puts them in a heat stroke situation," he added.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, Molly can be taken orally in powder, tablet or capsule form. The effects include a sense of increased energy, euphoria and empathy and can last from three to six hours after ingestion.