Mixing uppers and downers can be deadly. Combining Xanax and Molly is not recommended and could lead to overdose or addiction to one or both substances.
Xanax is a prescription drug given to patients to help them with anxiety and panic disorders. It’s one of the most often prescribed medicines in the U.S., but unfortunately, people frequently combine it with other drugs for various reasons.
So what about taking Xanax and MDMA (Molly) at the same time? As of 2009, about 5.6% of people who took Molly also tested positive for Xanax. The combination is not recommended and could lead to overdose or addiction to one or both substances. This overview covers what Xanax and Molly are and what people should know about taking Xanax and Molly at the same time.
Why People Use Xanax and Molly at the Same Time
Some people may want the relaxing effects of Xanax but also want to stay awake using a stimulant. People frequently think that mixing Xanax and Molly at the same time will have a type of “leveling effect,” or that they will cancel each other out in some way. They may also think combining uppers and downers can help them as they come down from the Molly.
Someone might take Xanax and Molly at the same time, or relatively close to one another, to alleviate some of the adverse symptoms of Molly with the Xanax, such as anxiety, insomnia and muscle aches. These symptoms can last for days in some cases.
The perceived benefits of taking Xanax and Molly can make sense, but it’s not what actually happens. More importantly, there are significant risks that nullify these “benefits.”
Risks of Using Molly and Xanax at the Same Time
If you’re mixing Xanax and Molly at the same time, you may have a false sense of security or comfort which could lead you to overdose on one or both of the substances. You might not feel the effects of the Molly as strongly if you mix it with Xanax. You might take more to get those effects, which could lead to overdose. An overdose could happen from either drug if you take too much.
Although Molly and Xanax haven’t been specifically studied together, mixing uppers and downers, in general, is known to be deadly. Celebrities like John Belushi, River Phoenix, and Chris Farley all died from accidental overdoses when they mixed uppers and downers.
Xanax’s Interactions with Other Substances
When people mix Xanax with other central nervous system depressants like alcohol, it can cause them to become extremely drowsy, confused or impaired. Mixing Xanax with opioids is especially dangerous, and the FDA has a Black Box Warning on both Xanax and opioids for this reason.
Should you ever take Xanax and Molly at the same time?
The answer is no. Molly carries significant risks on its own, including its potential to have toxic or deadly substances mixed in. If you’re abusing Xanax by taking it recreationally, you’re putting yourself in danger of developing an addiction or overdosing. When you take a downer like Xanax and an upper like Molly at the same time, you’re even more likely to overdose.
If you or a loved one develop an addiction, contact The Recovery Village to speak to a representative about how addiction treatment can work for you. The Recovery Village personalizes treatment programs to fit every patient’s needs, ensuring that their addiction and any co-occurring mental health disorders are addressed in a safe and supportive environment.
U.S. National Library of Medicine. “Xanax,” February 14, 2020. Accessed June 27, 2020.
Black, David L; Cawthon, Beverly; Robert, Tim; et al. “Multiple Drug Ingestion by Ecstasy Abuse[…]in the United States.” Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 2009. Accessed June 27, 2020.
U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration. “Drugs of Abuse.” 2017. Accessed June 27, 2020.
Kalant H. “The Pharmacology and Toxicology of “Ec[…]A) and Related Drugs.” Canadian Medical Association Journal, October 2, 2001. Accessed June 27, 2020.
The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.