How Long Does MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly) Stay in Your System?

Article at a Glance

• Molly effects usually last for up to six hours.
• It can take about one week for Molly to be completely out of your body.
• Blood, saliva and urine usually test positive for Molly for at least 24 hours. Hair can test positive for months.
• There is no way to speed up how fast your body processes Molly.

Molly (MDMA) vs. Ecstasy

Molly and ecstasy are versions of a substance called MDMA, a laboratory-made drug that produces a “high” similar to amphetamines and other stimulants. The drug also causes psychedelic effects similar to drugs like mescaline or LSD.

These drugs first became popular at raves and nightclubs, and they have continued to grow in popularity as a common party drug. Both Molly and ecstasy are classified as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act, meaning these drugs are highly addictive and there is no accepted medical use for them. Trials are currently underway to determine if MDMA is effective for PTSD, anxiety in terminally ill patients or social anxiety in autistic adults.

Molly, a slang term short for “molecular,” typically refers to the powdered form of pure MDMA. Ecstasy typically refers to MDMA that has been pressed into a tablet and mixed, or “cut,” with other prescription or illicit drugs. However, Molly has also been found to be commonly mixed with other addictive drugs.

If you take Molly, you may wonder how long it takes for the drug to leave your body. Although the effects of Molly use appear quickly, the drug can take days to leave the body. In some cases, Molly use can even be detected for several months. Knowing how the drug breaks down in the body is key to understanding the amount of time Molly can be detected.

How Long Does Molly Take to Kick In?

Molly absorbs from the gastrointestinal tract quickly and usually lasts three to six hours. There are many factors that can influence how long it takes to feel Molly. Since Molly is often swallowed as capsules or tablets, taking it on an empty or full stomach can impact how quickly the drug is absorbed into the bloodstream. Other factors include:

• Age
• Liver function
• Genetics
• Weight
• How much Molly you have taken
• Use of other medications or drugs

Once swallowed, Molly starts breaking down into tiny pieces in the stomach, where some of the drug absorbs from the stomach directly into the bloodstream. The rest of the drug releases from the stomach into the top part of the gastrointestinal tract. From there, the drug dissolves into the bloodstream and goes into all the major organs of the body, including the brain. The liver then breaks down Molly into chemicals, which leave the body in the urine.

How Long Does Molly Last?

The effects of the drug peak within one to three hours after taking it, with mental effects lasting for four to six hours. However, some mental effects can last for days. The most common mental effects are:

• Low mood
• Nervousness
• Fatigue
• Trouble concentrating

Because Molly is a stimulant, it can cause physical changes in your body that can also last for days. These include:

• Muscle aches and stiffness
• Back pain and stiffness
• Changes in blood pressure
• Changes in heart rate

MDMA Half-Life

The half-life of a drug is how long it takes half of one dose to be metabolized and eliminated from the system. Molly’s half-life is about eight to nine hours. However, if your urine is less acidic than average, it can take longer for Molly to leave your body. In that case, the half-life can be as long as 16 to 31 hours. Because it takes about five half-lives for a drug to be out of your system, Molly can stay in your system for anywhere from 35 hours to almost a week.

How Long Does Molly Stay in Your System?

MDMA will show up on several different drug tests. However, how long it takes for the drug to show up and how long the test stays positive will depend on what is being tested.

How Long Does Molly Stay in Your Urine?

Molly starts to show up in urine within two hours after taking it. Overall, about one-third of the drug is released through urine within the first 24 hours following drug use, and it can show up on urine tests during that time. It is rare to have Molly detected through a urine test more than 48 hours after taking the drug.

How Long Does Molly Stay in Your Blood?

Molly shows up in blood within one to two hours after taking the drug. The amount of Molly in a person’s blood decreases within four to six hours. However, Molly can still be found in the blood for about 24 hours after taking it.

How Long Does Molly Stay in Saliva?

Saliva tests are one of the easiest ways to test for MDMA. The drug can even be detected in portable roadside drug kits that some police officers carry. Molly starts to show up in saliva as soon as 15 to 75 minutes after use. The drug can be detected in saliva for at least 24 hours after ingestion and can remain detectable for almost three days.

How Long Does Molly Stay in Your Hair?

Molly can be detected in hair for months following use. Each half-inch of hair growth can reveal drug use for the 30-day period in which it grew. However, it is unclear if Molly is easily detectable in the hair of people who rarely use it.

Factors Affecting How Long Molly Stays in Your System

Different factors determine how long Molly stays in your body, including:

• Amount used: Because you need to wait for the liver to break down Molly, larger amounts of the drug take longer to leave your body.
• Frequency of use: Frequent use may make you more likely to test positive on hair tests.
• Method of use: Snorting, crushing or smoking Molly may lead to quicker onset times. However, no studies have been done to show if this impacts how long the drug stays in your body.
• Age: An elderly person is likely to take a longer time to get rid of Molly than someone who is younger.
• Overall health: Someone in good health is likely to clear Molly quicker than someone in poor health.
• Alkaline urine: The less acidic your urine, the longer the drug stays in your system.

MDMA False Positive

Although MDMA false positives are rare, especially in hair tests, they are still possible. False positives in tests may occur if you are taking:

• The cholesterol drug fenofibrate
• The mood and sleep drug trazodone
• Other legal stimulants, such as Sudafed

How to Get Molly Out of Your System

Once you have taken Molly, there is nothing you can do to speed up the process of getting it out of your system because your liver needs time to process the drug. Some of the liver enzymes needed to process Molly are not naturally present in large quantities, so it can take days for Molly to process.

MDMA Withdrawal

After taking large doses of Molly or taking the drug for long periods of time, some people report signs of withdrawal. These symptoms can include fatigue, loss of appetite, depression or trouble concentrating.

Scientists continue to research effective treatment options for withdrawal from Molly, but there are currently no specific treatments for it. Some people have reported behavioral therapies to be helpful in treating MDMA addiction. However, this can be tricky because ecstasy is often cut with other drugs that are highly addictive.

MDMA (Molly/Ecstasy) Addiction

Although there is some debate on whether Molly is addictive, researchers do know that MDMA targets the same chemicals in the brain as other drugs that are addictive. Additionally, both Molly and ecstasy are often cut with highly addictive prescription and illegal drugs. Without testing, it is impossible for someone to know exactly what they are taking when they use Molly or ecstasy.

People who struggle with drugs like Molly often require treatment at a professional rehab center. At The Recovery Village Ridgefield, we offer a variety of treatment options that can help you recover from drug abuse and addiction. Our levels of care include inpatient treatment, partial hospitalization programs, outpatient services and long-term aftercare programs that can help support you throughout your recovery journey.

If you or someone you love is struggling with Molly use, The Recovery Village Ridgefield is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about MDMA addiction treatment programs that can help you begin a healthier, drug-free life in recovery.