4-CMC
4-CMC is a synthetic stimulant and entactogen of the substituted cathinone class. It has been sold online as a designer drug, often marketed as an alternative to mephedrone in regions where that substance was scheduled, reportedly producing broadly similar effects. Notably, 4-CMC is the cathinone analogue of 4-CMA, a compound associated with significant neurotoxicity, though it remains unclear whether 4-CMC carries the same risk.
Contents
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
Subjective Effects
4-CMC produces a stimulant experience broadly comparable to that of mephedrone, characterized by euphoria, a lift in mood, and a marked increase in energy, alertness, and sociability. Users typically become notably talkative and experience heightened libido alongside a reduced need for food and sleep. The experience carries a meaningful potential for negative shifts in temperament, with anxiety, moodiness, and aggressiveness reported, particularly with heavier or repeated use.
Physical
The body load is that of a classic cathinone stimulant: increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, raised body temperature, and sweating, accompanied by jaw clenching, itchiness, appetite suppression, and disturbed sleep.
Cardiovascular
Stimulation
Physical stimulation is prominent, producing energy, alertness, and a decreased need for sleep.
Uncomfortable
Cognitive
The headspace is energetic and socially disinhibited, dominated by euphoria, mood lift, and a strong drive toward conversation and interaction. This can shade into anxiety, irritability, and aggression, especially as the experience wears on.
Emotional
The emotional tone is predominantly euphoric and elevated, but can become unstable, tipping into anxiety, moodiness, or outright aggression.
Social
Visual
Visual effects are limited to hallucinations reported at the extremes of use rather than reliable dose-dependent visuals.
Auditory
Reagent Testing
Loading reagent data
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
4-CMC acts primarily as a releasing agent at the serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine transporters, with secondary activity as a reuptake inhibitor at these same targets. Its overall potency at these monoamine transporters has been reported to be comparable to that of mephedrone.
Pharmacokinetics
Tolerance
Synthetic cathinones, Stimulants acting on monoamine transporters
Harm Potential
Addiction & Dependence
Psychological
ModerateClassified as habit-forming by harm reduction resources.
Toxicity
Mouse studies indicate neurotoxicity through mechanisms common to cathinones; however, the specific serotonergic neurotoxicity associated with the structurally similar para-chloromethamphetamine has not been observed with 4-CMC.
Acute cardiovascular effects including elevated blood pressure and tachycardia occur during intoxication, similar to effects seen with mephedrone.
Psychosis Risk
Visual and auditory hallucinations are listed among reported effects.
History & Culture
4-Chloromethcathinone (4-CMC), also known as clephedrone, is a synthetic cathinone that emerged on the designer drug market as an online research chemical. The compound gained prominence primarily as an alternative to mephedrone following that substance's scheduling in various countries. As…
Legality
International
UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971 (Schedule II, recommended December 2019)
By Country
References
Source Pages
Further Reading
Blood Concentrations of 4-CMC in 15 Forensic Cases (PMC)
Grifell et al. 2017 - Patterns of Use and Toxicity of Para-halogenated Substituted Cathinones
Substance Search: 4-CMC
UNODC Critical Review Report: 4-CMC
UNODC Substance Details: 4-CMC- WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence: 4-Chloromethcathinone
- Wojcieszak et al. 2020 - Neurotoxicity Research on Synthetic Cathinones
Automated synthesisInformation aggregated and synthesized using an autonomous workflow built by Josie Kins.
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