4-MEC
4-MEC is a substituted cathinone with stimulant and entactogen properties, structurally related to mephedrone.1 It has been marketed alone or blended with other cathinones under names such as "NRG-2"23 and has been identified as an active ingredient in counterfeit ecstasy tablets in some countries.4 Compared to mephedrone, it is considered less potent with a more pronounced stimulant character. Little is known about its safety profile.
Contents
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
Duration
Subjective Effects
4-MEC produces a stimulating, euphoric experience broadly comparable to mephedrone, with which it shares close structural similarity, though it is generally regarded as somewhat milder and less distinctly entactogenic. The experience centers on mood lift, increased energy and alertness, and a strong pull toward socializing and talking. Sensory alteration is largely absent at common doses, though visual and auditory hallucinations have been reported, typically in the context of heavy or prolonged use.
Physical
The body load is that of a classic stimulant: increased energy, decreased need for sleep, appetite suppression, sweating, teeth grinding, and itchiness. Increased libido is commonly reported, and sleep patterns are often disturbed following use.
Stimulation
The physical effects are dominated by stimulation and its downstream consequences.
Uncomfortable
Cognitive
The headspace is euphoric, energetic, and markedly social, with pronounced talkativeness and increased sociability. The mood elevation can give way to moodiness, irritability, and aggressiveness, particularly as the effects wear off or with repeated dosing.
Emotional
The emotional tone is predominantly euphoric and elevated, though it can become unstable.
Visual
Visual hallucinations have been reported, generally in association with heavy use.
Auditory
Auditory hallucinations have been reported alongside visual disturbances at heavy doses.
Reagent Testing
Loading reagent data
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
Pharmacokinetics
Tolerance
Substituted cathinones, Dopaminergic stimulants, Serotonergic entactogens
Harm Potential
Addiction & Dependence
Psychological
ModerateClassified as habit-forming. As a substituted cathinone stimulant believed to have similar effects to mephedrone, it likely carries comparable psychological addiction potential, though little is known about its safety profile.
Toxicity
Intravenous use is reported to be rough on veins and sometimes accompanied by a burning sensation; users are advised to dilute the substance as much as possible to reduce venous irritation.
Psychosis Risk
Visual and auditory hallucinations are listed among possible effects, suggesting some potential for perceptual disturbances, though specific data on psychotic episodes is not available.
History & Culture
4-MEC has been marketed commercially under the name "NRG-2,"53 sold either as a standalone product or in mixtures containing other substituted cathinones. The compound has also been identified as an active ingredient in counterfeit ecstasy tablets, with reports from countries including New Zealand documenting its use as a substitute for MDMA in illicit pill markets.4
References
Source Pages
Citations
- (July 2011). Identification and characterization of the new designer drug 4'-methylethcathinone (4-MEC) and elaboration of a novel liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) screening method for seven different methcathinone analogs. Forensic Science International, 210(1–3), 213–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.03.0191
- (2015). Synthetic Cathinones: A New Public Health Problem. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4462036/1
- (August 2010). Analyses of second-generation 'legal highs' in the UK: initial findings. Drug Testing and Analysis, 2(8), 377–82. https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.15512
- (n.d.). Designer drug 'buyer beware' warning. New Zealand Herald. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/designer-drug-buyer-beware-warning/R7X7PKCVF3SMXTGWGCUJJWRUIM/12
- Khreit OIG, Irving C, Schmidt E, Parkinson JA, Nic Daeid N, & Sutcliffe OB. (2012). Synthesis, full chemical characterisation and development of validated methods for the quantification of the components found in the evolved "legal high" NRG-2. 61, 122-135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpba.2011.11.0041
- (2017-03-01). Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of 10 Synthetic Cathinones Into Schedule I. Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/03/01/2017-03974/schedules-of-controlled-substances-placement-of-10-synthetic-cathinones-into-schedule-i1
- (n.d.). 21 CFR § 1308.11 — Schedule I (stimulants subsection, entry 59). U.S. Government Publishing Office / Legal Information Institute. https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/21/1308.111
Further Reading
Automated synthesisInformation aggregated and synthesized using an autonomous workflow built by Josie Kins.
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