3-CMC
3-CMC is a synthetic stimulant of the substituted cathinone class, first detected in 2014.1 Structurally related to other methcathinone derivatives such as 3-MMC and 4-CMC, it is a halogenated cathinone1 that produces stimulating and possibly entactogenic effects often compared to those of mephedrone and, to a lesser extent, MDMA and cocaine. It has been primarily sold online as a designer drug in European markets.2
Contents
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
The dosages listed here should be treated as provisional, and more research is needed.
Duration
Subjective Effects
3-CMC produces a classic entactogenic stimulant experience frequently compared to mephedrone and 3-MMC, with lesser resemblance to MDMA and cocaine. The experience centers on euphoria, mood lift, increased confidence, and a strong pull toward socializing and talking. Relative to 3-MMC, users consistently describe the effects as weaker and shorter-lasting, which contributes to a pattern of compulsive redosing among some users.
Physical
The body experience is one of energetic stimulation with increased energy and alertness, decreased need for sleep, and suppressed appetite. Sweating, elevated body temperature, dry mouth, jaw tension, increased heart rate, and elevated blood pressure accompany the stimulation, and sleep patterns are often disturbed for some time after use.
Cognitive
The headspace is euphoric, confident, and highly social, with a marked drive toward conversation and excessive talking. Negative states including anxiety, moodiness, irritability, and aggression can emerge, particularly during the offset or with heavy use, and episodes of psychosis have been associated with cathinone exposure.
Emotional
Enhancements
Visual
Visual effects are not a characteristic feature of the experience; hallucinations are reported primarily as an adverse outcome of heavy use.
Auditory
Reagent Testing
Loading reagent data
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
3-CMC acts as both a monoamine releasing agent and reuptake inhibitor at the dopamine transporter (DAT), norepinephrine transporter (NET), and serotonin transporter (SERT).2 In rat brain cell studies, it showed comparable interaction with DAT and NET relative to mephedrone, while interacting significantly less with SERT.3 This produces a pharmacological profile that favors dopamine release in proportion to serotonin release.2
Pharmacokinetics
The metabolism of 3-CMC in humans has not been extensively studied.2 Based on the metabolism of structurally similar cathinones, it is expected to undergo hepatic metabolism through oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis, and conjugation reactions. A proposed biotransformation pathway predicts the formation of several metabolites including dihydro-3-CMC, N-desmethyl-3-CMC, and N-desmethyl-dihydro-3-CMC.4
Tolerance
Cathinone stimulants, Dopaminergic stimulants
Harm Potential
History & Culture
3-CMC first appeared in 2014, emerging as part of the broader wave of synthetic cathinones entering the European designer drug market during this period.8 The substance was primarily sold through online vendors, with initial distribution concentrated in Germany,…
Legality
International
European Commission control measures (March 2022)9
By Country
References
Source Pages
Citations
- (2023). The Stability of Synthetic Cathinones and the Study of Potential Intake Biomarkers in the Biological Material from a Case of 3-CMC Poisoning. 47(5), 470-480. https://doi.org/10.1093/jat/bkad01012
- (2022). Report on the risk assessment of 1-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-(methylamino)propan-1-one (3-chloromethcathinone, 3-CMC). European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). https://www.euda.europa.eu/system/files/publications/14509/Report%20on%20the%20risk%20assessment%20of%203-CMC.pdf123456789
- (March 2019). The dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine releasing activities of a series of methcathinone analogs in male rat brain synaptosomes. Psychopharmacology, 236(3), 915–924. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-018-5063-91
- (June 2024). 3-CMC, 4-CMC, and 4-BMC Human Metabolic Profiling: New Major Pathways to Document Consumption of Methcathinone Analogues?. The AAPS Journal, 26(4), 70. https://doi.org/10.1208/s12248-024-00940-81
- (2013). Synthetic cathinone abuse. Clinical Pharmacology, 5, 109–115. https://doi.org/10.2147/cpaa.s4283212
- (April 2025). Synthesis, Characterization, and Biological Effects of Chloro-Cathinones: Toxicity and Potential Neurological Impact. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(8), 3540. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms260835401
- (August 2020). Four Synthetic Cathinones: 3-Chloromethcathinone, 4-Chloromethcathinone, 4-Fluoro-α-Pyrrolidinopentiophenone, and 4-Methoxy-α-Pyrrolidinopentiophenone Produce Changes in the Spontaneous Locomotor Activity and Motor Performance in Mice with Varied Profiles. Neurotoxicity Research, 38(2), 536–551. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12640-020-00227-81
- EMCDDA. (2022). EMCDDA initial report on the new psychoactive substance 1-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-(methylamino)propan-1-one (3-chloromethcathinone, 3-CMC). https://www.euda.europa.eu/publications/initial-reports/initial-report-3-cmc_en123456
- European Commission. (2022). Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2022/1326 of 18 March 2022 amending the Annex to Council Framework Decision 2004/757/JHA as regards the inclusion of new psychoactive substances in the definition of 'drug'. Official Journal of the European Union. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir_del/2022/1326/oj/eng/pdf1234
Further Reading
EMCDDA: Initial Report on 3-CMC (2022)
EMCDDA: Risk Assessment Report on 3-CMC (2021)
Metabolism of 3-CMC in human dried blood spots (2024)
Synthetic Cathinones and Neurotoxicity Risks: A Systematic Review (DOI)- Walther et al. 2019 - Structure-Activity Studies on Methcathinones (DOI)
WHO 46th ECDD Critical Review: 3-CMC (2024)
Automated synthesisInformation aggregated and synthesized using an autonomous workflow built by Josie Kins.
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