Even though usage of the drug MDMA killed two people at the Electric Zoo Festival in September, this “club drug”  is still being promoted by many pop culture icons. The National Institute on Drug Abuse defines MDMA, nick named “Molly,” as the pure crystalline powder form of the drug MDMA , which in pill form is known as ecstasy.

From Miley Cyrus to Madonna, current songs are full of references to ‘Molly’. Celebrities condoning the use of illicit drugs is nothing new, but there is false information in these not-so-clever allusions.

Madonna

At last year’s Ultra Music Festival, Madonna asked, “How many people in this crowd have seen ‘Molly?’” This sparked a lot of controversy, but it isn’t surprising that Madonna knows so much about this drug. According to the Center for Substance Abuse Research “Molly” started becoming widely accepted in the 1980s. In addition, Madonna’s newest album is named MDNA, which she claims has no reference to the drug and simply “sounds like her name.”

Lady Gaga

Chart-topper Lady Gaga is no stranger to this mind-altering substance. “I definitely wouldn’t encourage it because it can be dangerous especially if you don’t know where you’re getting it from,” Ms. Gaga said in a September interview with talk show host Andy Cohen.

Kanye West

In addition to mentions of other illegal drugs like marijuana and cocaine, Kanye West’s hit song “Mercy” gives the drug a brief cameo. The line goes, “Something bout Mary she gone off that Molly.”

This highly-addictive drug has been glorified through creative song lyrics in both pop and hip hop songs. Music has a large influence on people in general, especially young teens. It is fairly easy to remember Kendrick Lamar’s new verse, while math formulas might not come as easy. Unfortunately the commonly referenced drug in song lyrics fail to mention the harmful effects it has.