Ethylone
Ethylone is a synthetic entactogen and stimulant of the cathinone class.1 It is the β-keto analog of MDEA and emerged commercially around 2011 with minimal prior documentation of human use.12 Ethylone is commonly sold as a substitute or counterfeit for MDMA and methylone due to methylone's declining market availability.1 It is reported to be less potent than methylone, with effects that lean more toward classical stimulation than entactogenic warmth.3
Contents
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
Duration
Subjective Effects
The experience is that of a mild entactogen, broadly comparable to MDMA in character but consistently reported as subtler and less satisfying. Users frequently describe the effects as underwhelming relative to expectations, with the emotional warmth and euphoria of related empathogens present in a muted form. It is also reported to be less potent than its close relative methylone.
Physical
A mild stimulating effect accompanies the experience, consistent with its cathinone stimulant profile.
Cognitive
The headspace is a gentle, empathogenic one, with mild mood elevation and social warmth that fall noticeably short of the intensity associated with MDMA.
Emotional
Empathogenic effects are present but notably weaker than those of MDMA, often leaving users underwhelmed.
Reagent Testing
Loading reagent data
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
Ethylone functions as a mixed monoamine reuptake inhibitor and releasing agent, acting on the serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine transporters.4 Relative to methylone, it displays approximately three-fold lower affinity for the serotonin transporter while maintaining similar affinity for the norepinephrine and dopamine transporters, resulting in a more balanced catecholaminergic-to-serotonergic activity profile. Although ethylone retains robust releasing capabilities, its overall pharmacological character has been described as more consistent with reuptake inhibition than with monoamine release.4
Pharmacokinetics
Based on analysis of human and rat urine, ethylone undergoes metabolism via two primary pathways: N-deethylation to the corresponding primary amine and reduction of the beta-keto group to the respective alcohol.56
Dangerous
Highest riskThese combinations are considered extremely harmful and should always be avoided. Reactions to these drugs taken in combination are highly unpredictable and have a potential to cause death.
Tolerance
Dopaminergic stimulants
Harm Potential
Addiction & Dependence
Psychological
ModerateChronic use is regarded as moderately addictive, carries a high abuse potential, and can produce psychological dependence. If addiction develops, stopping suddenly may cause cravings.
Physical
LowWithdrawal effects may occur with sudden cessation of chronic use, though the nature and severity of physical withdrawal symptoms have not been well characterized7 due to limited research.
Psychosis Risk
As with other stimulants, abuse at high dosages for prolonged periods may result in stimulant psychosis presenting with paranoia, hallucinations, or delusions. Psychosis very rarely arises from occasional or moderate use.
Seizure Risk
Seizure risk from ethylone alone has not been documented in the available literature.
History & Culture
Ethylone is a synthetic cathinone that represents the β-keto analogue of MDEA, a substance colloquially known as "Eve."1 The compound has only a brief history of documented human use, with minimal records of consumption prior to its commercial emergence around…
Legality
By Country
References
Source Pages
Citations
- (2019). 3,4-Methylenedioxyethcathinone (Ethylone) ["Bath salt," bk-MDEA, MDEC]. https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_chem_info/ethylone.pdf12345678
- (n.d.). Ethylone-Related Deaths: Toxicological Findings. https://academic.oup.com/jat/article-abstract/39/7/567/8188581
- (n.d.). Beyond ecstasy: Alternative entactogens to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine with potential applications in psychotherapy. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8155739/1
- (2013). Pharmacological characterization of designer cathinones in vitro: Pharmacology of cathinones. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1476-5381.2012.02145.x12
- Yeh YC. (2025). In vitro metabolic profiling of methylenedioxy-substituted synthetic cathinones for enhanced detection in urine sample analysis. 33(2), 132-149.1
- Uralets V, Rana S, Morgan S, & Ross W. (2014). Testing for designer stimulants: metabolic profiles of 16 synthetic cathinones excreted free in human urine.1
- World Health Organization Expert Committee on Drug Dependence. (2016). Ethylone Critical Review Report. World Health Organization. https://ecddrepository.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/4.5_ethylone_critreview.pdf1
- (May 2015). It is the ketone|β-keto analogue (chemistry)|analogue of methylenedioxyethylamphetamine|MDEA ("Eve"). Ethylone has only a short history of human use and is reported to. https://doi.org/10.1093/jat/bkv0531
- (n.d.). Lista de substâncias sujeitas a controle especial no Brasil — ANVISA. https://www.gov.br/anvisa/pt-br/assuntos/medicamentos/controlados/lista-substancias1
- (n.d.). Anlage I BtMG — 28. BtMÄndV (Achtundzwanzigste Verordnung zur Änderung betäubungsmittelrechtlicher Vorschriften), Geltung ab 13.12.2014. https://www.buzer.de/gesetz/11392/a189949.htm1
- (n.d.). Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, Schedule 2, Part II — The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2010 (SI 2010/1207), as in force from 16 April 2010. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/38/schedule/2/2010-04-161
Further Reading
Automated synthesisInformation aggregated and synthesized using an autonomous workflow built by Josie Kins.
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