← hubDrugs

Mephedrone

Discover related
Class
Dose
Duration

3 sources

← All substances
🔗 MergedComparePsychonautWikiTripSitPharmacology

Collated from PsychonautWiki, TripSit, Pharmacology. Where sources differ (e.g. dosing), Compare shows them side by side.

Sections
EntactogenStimulantCathinoneSubstituted cathinonesResearch-chemicalHabit-formingEmpathogenPW

Also known as Mephedrone, 4-MMC, Drone, M-CAT, Meow Meow, meow, 4-methylmethcathinonePW

A shortlived euphoric stimulant, developed as an analogue of MDMA, which was extremely popular in the research chemical scene before being banned. Commonly seen on street markets but rarer online. Very strong urge to redose compulsively.TS

ToxicityPW
exact toxic dosage is unknown
TolerancePW
full tolerance develops with prolonged and repeated use; half after 3 - 7 days; baseline after 1 - 2 weeks
Cross-tolerancePW
dopamine, stimulant

Insufflated

Route dataPsychonautWiki

Dose
WeakerStronger
ThresholdLightCommonStrongHeavy
5 mg15–45 mg45–80 mg80–125 mg125 mg+
0156.25 mg
LightCommonStrongHeavy
Duration
ShorterLonger
Onset5–8 minutes
Come-up15–30 minutes
Peak45–60 minutes
Offset30–90 minutes
Total1.5–3 hours
After-effects2–4 hours
OnsetCome-upPeakOffset

Oral

Route dataPsychonautWiki

Dose
WeakerStronger
ThresholdLightCommonStrongHeavy
15 mg50–100 mg100–200 mg200–300 mg300 mg+
0375 mg
LightCommonStrongHeavy
Duration
ShorterLonger
Onset15–45 minutes
Come-up15–30 minutes
Peak2–4 hours
Offset45–90 minutes
Total3–6 hours
After-effects2–4 hours
OnsetCome-upPeakOffset

Unsafe interactionsPW

DXMMDMAStimulants

Caution / uncertainPW

AlcoholMXEDissociatives

Mechanism of actionPH

As with phenethylamines, in the absence of ring-substitution, cathinones behave predominantly as central nervous system (CNS) stimulants, although generally with a lower potency than the corresponding phenethylamine analogue. The lower potency is caused by the beta-keto group creating a more polar molecule with lower ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. In the presence of ring substitution, however, the properties are modified towards MDMA-like effects.
There are no formal pharmacodynamic studies looking specifically at mephedrone. Based on its chemical structure, it is likely that it has a similar mechanism of action to other stimulant drugs (blocks reuptake of, and stimulates the release of stimulant neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine). This is further supported by the sympathomimetic effects (dilated pupils, tachycardia, hypertension, agitation) seen with mephedrone use that are similar to other stimulant drugs such as MDMA and cocaine.

Pharmacokinetics

AbsorptionPH

The main routes of administration for mephedrone are reported as snorting (nasal insufflation) and swallowing (oral ingestion), sometimes after dissolving with water. As mephedrone is primarily available in powder form, injecting use is reported but appears to be rare.

MetabolismPH

Rats administered a single 20 mg/kg dose of mephedrone by gastric intubation and urine was collected over a 24-hour period after mephedrone administration. In addition to mephedrone, the following metabolites were detected: nor-mephedrone, nor-dihydro mephedrone, hydroxytolyl mephedrone and nor-hydroxytolyl mephedrone. In a human urine sample submitted by a mephedrone user, a further metabolite, 4-carboxy-dihydro mephedrone was also detected. /It was/ postulated that the overlapping metabolic pathways that were thought to be responsible for these metabolites were as follows: N-demethylation to the primary amine (metabolites nor-mephedrone, nor-dihydro mephedrone and nor-hydroxytolyl mephedrone); reduction of the keto moiety to the respective alcohol (metabolites nordihydro mephedrone and 4-carboxy-dihydro mephedrone); oxidation of the tolyl moiety to the corresponding alcohol (metabolites hydroxytolyl mephedrone and nor-hydroxytolyl mephedrone). It is thought that the hydroxytolyl mephedrone and nor-hydroxytolyl mephedrone metabolites are partly excreted as glucuronides and sulfates.
Mephedrone is metabolized by a number of pathways to the following metabolites: nor-mephedrone, nor-dihydro mephedrone, nor-hydroxytolyl mephedrone, 4-carboxy-dihydro mephedrone, hydroxytolyl mephedrone. It is thought that the hydroxytolyl mephedrone and nor-hydroxytolyl mephedrone metabolites are partly excreted as glucuronide and sulfate conjugates.

Plan when to take Mephedrone — see where onset, peak and comedown land on the clock

Fact-sheets from PsychonautWiki. Harm-reduction reference only — not medical advice.