yellow2 → orange2 → red2 → brown2 → yellow2
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4-MEC
4-Methylethcathinone
NRG-2
4-MEC is a substituted cathinone with stimulant and entactogen properties, structurally related to mephedrone.citation needed It has been marketed alone or blended with other cathinones under names such as "NRG-2"1 and has been identified as an active ingredient in counterfeit ecstasy tablets in some countries.citation needed Compared to mephedrone, it is considered less potent with a more pronounced stimulant character. Little is known about its safety profile.
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.
Threshold~25 mg
Light25-40 mg
Moderate40-100 mg
Strong100-150 mg
Heavy150+ mg
Duration
Total2-3 hours
Subjective Effects
Legacy content. A statistically backed ontology from Mindstate Design Labs is coming soon.
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.
Pharmacology
Pharmacology not written up yet
Interactions
Interactions not written up yet
An unlisted combination is an unknown one, not a safe one. Check a dedicated combination chart before mixing.
Tolerance
Tolerance timelines are rules of thumb, not exact schedules, and vary widely between individuals and use patterns.
Cross 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
Vascular
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,"citation needed 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.
Legality
International
4-MEC is internationally controlled in Schedule II of the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971. The Commission on Narcotic Drugs included 4-MEC in Schedule II by Decision 60/4, and the International Narcotics Control Board's current Green List identifies 4-methylethcathinone (4-MEC) among Schedule II substances.
By Country
Illegal10
United StatesIllegalClassified as a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act, indicating high abuse potential with no currently accepted medical use in treatment.2223
By state
All 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and five territories were reviewed against the federal baseline. 17 jurisdictions had source-backed mirror treatment; 38 remain research gaps. 1 divergent jurisdiction findings were independently upheld.
CaliforniaRestrictedCalifornia Health and Safety Code § 11375.524
California separately regulates 4-MEC as a synthetic stimulant derivative rather than placing it in a state Schedule I entry. Possession for personal use is an infraction on a first offense, while sale, furnishing, or possession for sale is a misdemeanor. This is materially different from the federal Schedule I baseline.
AustriaIllegalAustria expressly lists 4-Methylethcathinon (4-MEC) as a Suchtgift in Anhang IV of the Suchtgiftverordnung. The listing also covers the listed substances' isomers, esters, ethers, molecular compounds, salts, and preparations subject to the stated analytical and diagnostic exception. The Suchtgift-Grenzmengenverordnung sets the Grenzmenge for 4-Methylethcathinon (4-MEC) at 30.0 grams of pure active substance.
BrazilIllegalPortaria SVS/MS nº 344/1998, Anexo I, Lista F2 (as amended by RDC nº 8/2015)7
ANVISA’s current controlled-substances page records RDC nº 8/2015 as including 4-MEC (4-metiletilcatinona) in Lista F2 of Annex I to Portaria SVS/MS nº 344/1998. The same official page identifies later list updates, including RDC nº 999/2025 and the current 2026 version, without recording an exclusion of 4-MEC; Lista F2 is the prohibited psychotropic list.
DenmarkIllegalBekendtgørelse om euforiserende stoffer (BEK nr. 405 af 26. marts 2026), Liste B, nr. 2928
4-MEC is listed in List B, item 292, which expressly includes the 2-, 3-, and 4-methyl-N-ethylcathinone isomers. List B substances may only be used for medical and scientific purposes, and import, export, manufacture, trade, receipt, and possession are subject to the order's authorization rules.
IrelandIllegal4-MEC is structurally derived from 2-amino-1-phenyl-1-propanone: its 4-methylphenyl group is an alkyl substitution in the phenyl ring and its N-ethyl group is an alkyl substitution at nitrogen. It therefore falls within Schedule 1's generic cathinone definition; production, supply, importation and exportation are prohibited unless authorised, and the Regulations provide no ordinary possession exemption for Schedule 1 drugs.
NetherlandsIllegalOpiumwet, lijst I12
4-MEC is expressly listed in lijst I of the Dutch Opiumwet as 4-methylethcathinon. Article 2 prohibits importing or exporting, preparing, processing, selling, supplying, transporting, possessing, and manufacturing a lijst I substance, subject to the Act's specified exemptions and dispensations.
SingaporeIllegalSingapore's First Schedule lists 2-(Ethylamino)-1-(4-methylphenyl)propan-1-one as 4-Methylethcathinone (4-MEC) among Class A drugs. The Act defines a substance specified in Part 1, 2 or 3 of the First Schedule as a controlled drug. Unless authorised under the Act, possession, consumption and trafficking of a controlled drug are offences.
SwedenIllegalBilaga 1 lists 2-etylamin-1-(4-metylfenyl)-1-propanon (4-MEC) among central stimulants. Under 2 §, substances listed in bilaga 1 are deemed narcotics under narkotikastrafflagen (1968:64); unlawful possession, use, transfer, manufacture, and other handling are punishable under that Act.
UkraineIllegalCabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 770 of 6 May 2000, List of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Precursors17
Ukraine lists 4-МЕС (4-метилеткатинон), chemically (R,S)-2-етиламін-1-(4-метилфеніл)-пропан-1-он, in List No. 2 of Table I. List No. 2 is headed ‘Especially dangerous psychotropic substances, circulation of which is prohibited,’ so 4-MEC is prohibited.
United KingdomIllegal (analog/blanket ban)4-MEC (4-methylethcathinone; 1-(4-methylphenyl)-2-(ethylamino)propan-1-one) is a Class B controlled drug under the Act's generic cathinone definition. Its para-methyl phenyl substituent meets paragraph 1(aa)(i), and its N-ethyl substituent meets paragraph 1(aa)(iii); it has no 3-position alkyl substitution under paragraph 1(aa)(ii). It is not bupropion, cathinone, diethylpropion, pyrovalerone, or a separately specified paragraph 1(a) compound, so none of paragraph 1(aa)'s exclusions applies. The current Act includes salts and preparations of paragraph 1 substances; its Class B ester-or-ether provision does not extend to paragraph 1(aa).
Controlled / restricted2
AustraliaRestrictedCustoms (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956, Schedule 4 item 146C; Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958, Schedule 8 Part 1 item 27B234
4-methylethcathinone (4-MEC) is named in the Commonwealth prohibited-imports and prohibited-exports drug schedules. Its import and export require the applicable Office of Drug Control licence and permit; these border controls do not classify domestic possession.
GermanyRestrictedBetäubungsmittelgesetz (BtMG), Anlage II9
Germany expressly lists 4-Methylethcathinon (4-MEC) in Anlage II of the BtMG, with the chemical name 2-(Ethylamino)-1-(4-methylphenyl)propan-1-on. Anlage II covers marketable but non-prescribable narcotics, so 4-MEC is restricted and is not available by prescription.
References
Source Pages
Citations
- Synthetic Cathinones: A New Public Health Problem. (2015). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4462036/1
- Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956, Schedule 4 item 146C; Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958, Schedule 8 Part 1 item 27B. legislation.gov.au (n.d.). https://www.legislation.gov.au/F1996B03651/2025-03-01/2025-03-01/text/original/epub/OEBPS/document_1/document_1.html1
- Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956, Schedule 4 item 146C; Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958, Schedule 8 Part 1 item 27B. legislation.gov.au (n.d.). https://www.legislation.gov.au/F1996B03403/2025-02-22/2025-02-22/text/original/epub/OEBPS/document_1/document_1.html1
- Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956, Schedule 4 item 146C; Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958, Schedule 8 Part 1 item 27B. odc.gov.au (n.d.). https://www.odc.gov.au/controlled-substances/list/4-methylethcathinone1
- Suchtgiftverordnung, Anhang IV. ris.bka.gv.at (n.d.). https://ris.bka.gv.at/NormDokument.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Anlage=4&Artikel=&FassungVom=2026-03-22&Gesetzesnummer=10011053&Paragraf=&Uebergangsrecht=1
- Suchtgift-Grenzmengenverordnung, Anhang. ris.bka.gv.at (n.d.). https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/GeltendeFassung.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Gesetzesnummer=100110561
- Portaria SVS/MS nº 344/1998, Anexo I, Lista F2 (as amended by RDC nº 8/2015). gov.br (n.d.). https://www.gov.br/anvisa/pt-br/assuntos/medicamentos/controlados/lista-substancias1
- Bekendtgørelse om euforiserende stoffer (BEK nr. 405 af 26. marts 2026). retsinformation.dk (n.d.). https://www.retsinformation.dk/eli/lta/2026/405/dan/pdf1
- Anlage II BtMG. gesetze-im-internet.de (n.d.). https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/btmg_1981/anlage_ii.html1
- Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 173 of 2017), Schedule 1, paragraph 1(b). irishstatutebook.ie (n.d.). https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2017/si/173/made/en/print1
Further Reading
Article Status
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Recent changes7 human edits · latest
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24 January 2026
Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more
Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more
Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more
Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more
Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more
Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more
Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more
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