TAMPA, Fla. 鈥� More rap artists are talking about molly, which is the powder or crystal form of ecstasy, and that鈥檚 having a big impact on black listeners. Molly is a synthetic drug that acts as a stimulant and hallucinogenic. While research has shown messages in hip-hop music can influence the use of marijuana and alcohol, no research has looked specifically at whether hip-hop is actually influencing some to try molly.
In a study published yesterday in the researchers surveyed African-American young adults who鈥檝e tried molly, and found 82 percent said hip-hop music influenced their decision to try it. An abundance of song lyrics glorify the drug, describing it as a way to party and lower sexual inhibitions.
鈥淢olly, although not as dangerous as opioids, has been linked to psychiatric problems, sexual risk taking and adverse health outcomes like seizures, irregular heartbeat, hyperthermia and even death,鈥� said lead author , professor of mental health law and policy at the 51在线 College of Behavioral and Community Sciences.
Study participants said they felt comfortable trying the drug only after trendsetting rappers like Kanye West and French Montana mentioned it in their lyrics, depicting molly as the new 鈥渋t鈥� drug that has benign consequences, unlike heroin or crack.
鈥淚鈥檓 just trying to party like a rock star, not get strung out,鈥� said one study participant. 鈥淲henever they (rappers) mentioned it (molly), they are either partying, drinking (alcohol), smoking (weed), or having sex. All of the things I love to do most. I never heard about anyone getting addicted or dying. That made me feel better about trying it.鈥�
鈥淭he behaviors of millennial African-Americans are probably the most likely to be influenced by hip-hop music as the artists themselves are typically from that demographic,鈥� said Dr. Rigg. 鈥淭his suggests that rappers may be effective sources for prevention, health promotion, and harm reduction messages aimed at African-Americans.鈥�
Previous molly studies mostly focus on populations that are white, European, and regular listeners of electronic dance music involved in the rave scene. This new study is one of the few to focus on African-American molly use and gives us a greater understanding of how hip-hop music influences patterns of molly use among black users.
