MDPV

3,4-Methylenedioxypyrovalerone

Bath Salts, NRG-1, Monkey Dust, Super Coke, Magic

Psychoactive Class

Chemical Class

Cathinone (substituted)Pyrrolidine (substituted)MDxx Pyrrolidinophenone

MDPV is a synthetic stimulant of the cathinone and pyrrolidine classes,¹ first developed in the 1960s by Boehringer Ingelheim as a potential amphetamine alternative.¹ It acts primarily as a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor¹ and is considered one of the most potent stimulants available.¹ MDPV gained notoriety after 2004 when it appeared in products marketed as 'bath salts' sold in convenience stores. It is known for producing strong euphoria with mild empathogenic qualities, though it carries significant risk of compulsive redosing.

Dosage & Duration

Dosage

Threshold2-2 mg

Light2-5 mg

Moderate5-11 mg

Strong10-20 mg

Heavy20+ mg

Dose figures are tentative and apply to individuals without long-term or short-term tolerance. Compulsive redosing is commonly reported and markedly increases total exposure.

Duration

Onset15-30 minutes

Come Up30-60 minutes

Peak30-180 minutes

Offset30-120 minutes

After Effects2-48 hours

Total2-7 hours

Subjective Effects

MDPV produces a potent, primarily stimulant experience with only mild entactogenic character, often compared to amphetamine, cocaine, or methylphenidate. The main psychological effects last roughly three to four hours, followed by six to eight hours of residual stimulation and tachycardia during which sleep is difficult. The comedown is frequently described as harsh, and the drug is strongly associated with irresistible cravings to redose beyond what was planned. Higher doses or repeated use shift the experience toward paranoia, confusion, hallucinations, and psychotic behavior.

Physical

Physical effects centre on energetic stimulation with elevated heart rate and blood pressure, jaw tension and tooth grinding, muscle tension and soreness, and involuntary twitching. Some reports describe the body load as concentrated in the head rather than the body, and one account noted a couchlocking quality despite the stimulation.

Cardiovascular

Coordination

Stimulation

Uncomfortable

Headache Gastrointestinal disturbance

Cognitive

The headspace is described as clear, motivated, and productive, with euphoria, talkativeness, empathy, and enhanced creativity, though scrambled thinking, confusion, anxiety, and paranoia become prominent as dose rises or use is repeated. A residual depressed mood commonly follows.

Emotional

Enhancements

Visual

Visual input can trigger inappropriate alerting; hallucinatory content is reported at high doses or with repeated use.

Auditory

An increased frequency of auditory-triggered vigilance responses is characteristic, with ordinary perceptual noise prompting inappropriate alerting.

Reagent Testing

Loading reagent data

Expected colorimetric results are being prepared.

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

MDPV acts as a potent norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI), with especially pronounced activity at the dopamine transporter. Its IC50 values for dopamine reuptake inhibition are 4.1 nM in rat brain synaptosomes and 10 nM in HEK293 cells, placing it among the most potent dopamine reuptake inhibitors characterized to date. Activity at the dopamine transporter is approximately six to eight times stronger than at the norepinephrine transporter, while the compound is virtually inactive at the serotonin transporter.² MDPV additionally displays weak partial norepinephrine and dopamine releasing activity, with Emax values of 24% for both catecholamines in rat brain synaptosomes, though no releasing activity was observed in HEK293 cells. The (S)-enantiomer is the pharmacologically active form.²

Pharmacokinetics

MDPV is metabolized hepatically via CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYP1A2, and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT). The metabolic pathway proceeds through demethylenation, methylation of the aromatic ring, hydroxylation of both the aromatic ring and side chain, and oxidation of the pyrrolidine ring to a lactam, followed by ring opening to a carboxylic acid. Phase II glucuronidation then enables renal excretion, with only a small fraction eliminated in the feces. In vitro studies have found MDPV to have greater blood-brain barrier permeability than amphetamine, methamphetamine, methcathinone, and mephedrone.

Interactions

Dangerous

Highest risk

These 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.

AlcoholCocaineDXMDissociativesMAOIsMDMAMXENBOMe compoundsStimulantsTramadol

TripSit

Tolerance

Full Tolerance

Short-term tolerance develops within a single session through repeated redosing, and long-term tolerance develops with regular use; standard dose ranges apply only to those without either form. Redosing also tends to markedly extend the duration of effects rather than simply reproducing the initial experience.

Cross Tolerance

Cocaine and other dopaminergic stimulants

Harm Potential

Addiction & Dependence

Psychological

Extremely High

MDPV is considered highly addictive with a high potential for abuse and readily causes psychological dependence. It is strongly associated with compulsive redosing ('fiending') and irresistible cravings to re-administer, with robust reinforcing effects demonstrated in both human case reports and animal self-administration studies.³

Physical

Moderate

When addiction develops, cravings and withdrawal effects may occur if usage is suddenly stopped. The drug causes highly unpleasant comedown symptoms including residual depressed mood, cramping, muscle soreness, and prolonged stimulation making sleep difficult.

Toxicity

Cardiovascular

Acute cardiovascular strain including very elevated heart rate and tachycardia occurs during intoxication and may persist into the comedown period; overdose cases may present with hypertensive emergency requiring emergency treatment.

Psychosis Risk

MDPV may cause psychosis and mania at a significantly higher rate than other stimulants. Chronic abuse or single exposure overdose can lead to psychosis more readily than the vast majority of stimulants. Symptoms include hearing voices, visual hallucinations, urges to harm oneself, severe anxiety, mania, grandiosity, paranoid delusions, confusion, increased aggression, and irritability. High doses cause intense prolonged panic attacks, and sleep deprivation from extended use compounds psychotic risk. Electroconvulsive therapy has been used to treat persistent psychotic symptoms from repeated use.⁴

Seizure Risk

Seizures can occur in overdose situations and are treated with large doses of lorazepam in emergency settings.

History & Culture

Development and Early History

MDPV was first developed in the 1960s by a research team at Boehringer Ingelheim, a German pharmaceutical company. The compound was investigated as a potential alternative to racemic amphetamine and reportedly demonstrated some desirable qualities, including reduced toxicity compared to

Legality

International

UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961: not internationally scheduled under the 1961 Convention

UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971: scheduled⁷

UN Convention against Illicit Traffic 1988: not internationally scheduled under the 1988 Convention

By Country

United StatesSchedule I

Federally scheduled on October 21, 2011 under a temporary one-year DEA ban. Permanently added to Schedule I⁹ in July 2012 under the Synthetic Drug Control Act (signed into federal law). Illegal to manufacture, buy, possess, or distribute without a DEA license. Additionally controlled at state level in numerous states including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, with most state-level controls enacted in 2011.

AustriaIllegal

MDPV has been listed in Anhang IV.1 of Austria’s Suchtgiftverordnung since 27 June 2019 and is treated as a Suchtgift (narcotic drug) under the Suchtmittelgesetz. Acquisition, possession, manufacture, processing, transport, import, export, supply, and transfer are permitted only within the statute’s authorized framework. Unauthorized handling is a criminal offence under § 27 Suchtmittelgesetz.

BrazilControlled (Portaria SVS/MS nº 344)

Illegal to produce, sell, or possess as listed on Portaria SVS/MS nº 344.

CanadaIllegal

Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) is listed as item 17.1 of Schedule I to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, together with its salts, derivatives, isomers, analogues, and salts of those substances.⁸ Except as authorized by regulation, possession, trafficking, importation, exportation, and production are prohibited. The Schedule I entry has applied since SOR/2012-176 was registered on 20 September 2012.

ColombiaRestricted

MDPV is listed in Colombia's national controlled-substances annex as a Green List, List II psychotropic substance. The resolution updates Colombia's lists of narcotics, psychotropics, precursors and other controlled substances. MDPV's chemical name in the listing is (R/S)-1-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-il)-2-(pirrolidin-1-il)pentan-1-ona.

CyprusClass B

Controlled as a Class B substance, covered by the cathinones catch-all clause.

DenmarkSchedule B

Added to Schedule B on March 13, 2009. Illegal to possess or consume without a license or prescription.

FinlandAppendix IV

Specifically listed as a controlled substance, classified as an Appendix IV substance as of June 28, 2010.

GermanyAnlage II BtMG

Controlled under Anlage II of the Betäubungsmittelgesetz (Narcotics Act) as of July 26, 2012. Illegal to manufacture, possess, import, export, buy, sell, procure, or dispense without a license.

IndiaIllegal

MDPV is notified as a psychotropic substance under India's Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. It is also included in Schedule I of the NDPS Rules, together with its salts and preparations. Dealings are prohibited unless authorised for medical or scientific purposes.

IsraelControlled

Banned in July 2010 as part of legislation controlling four families of substances (cathinones, methcathinones, amphetamines, and methamphetamines) and their derivatives.

JapanIllegal

MDPV is designated as a narcotic under Japan's Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act. The designation includes its salts and preparations containing it. Manufacture, import, sale, possession, use, transfer and receipt are prohibited except under the Act's licensing framework.

LuxembourgControlled

Controlled substance as of July 30, 2012.

NorwayIllegal

MDPV (3,4-metylendioksypyrovaleron; CAS 687603-66-3) is listed in P II of Norway’s Narcotics List and marked prohibited under section 5 of the Narcotics Regulations. It was added to the list with effect from 16 December 2013. Section 5 prohibits manufacture, acquisition, sale or other supply, import, export, storage, possession, and use, subject to departmental exceptions for medical or scientific needs.

PolandControlled

Classified as a controlled substance under national drug legislation.

SingaporeIllegal

MDPV is a Class A controlled drug under Singapore's Misuse of Drugs Act 1973. The Act defines controlled drugs through the First Schedule and identifies Part I substances as Class A drugs. Unauthorised manufacture, import, export, possession, consumption and trafficking are prohibited.

SloveniaControlled

Classified as a controlled substance under national drug legislation.

SpainIllegal

MDPV is included in List II of Annex I to Royal Decree 2829/1977. The listing includes its stereochemical variants, racemates and salts where possible. It is subject to the control measures and criminal sanctions applicable to that list.

SwitzerlandControlled (Verzeichnis D)

Specifically named as a controlled substance under Verzeichnis D.

UkraineIllegal

MDPV is an especially dangerous psychotropic substance in Table I, List 2 of Ukraine's controlled-substances list. Circulation of substances in this list is prohibited. Resolution No. 373 inserted MDPV under its Ukrainian and chemical names.

United KingdomClass B

Controlled as a Class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act as a result of the cathinone catch-all clause.

AustraliaSchedule 9

Listed in Schedule 9 of the Therapeutic Goods Regulations and Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons, effective March 1, 2012. In Western Australia, banned under the Poisons Act 1964 as of February 11, 2012. Penalties include up to $100,000 fine or 25 years imprisonment for sale or supply; $2,000 fine or two years imprisonment for possession.

BelgiumControlled

Controlled substance as of March 20, 2013.

BulgariaControlled

Controlled under the Narcotic Substances Control Law as of February 2011.

ChileIllegal

MDPV is listed in article 1 of Chile's regulation implementing Law No. 20.000. The regulation classifies listed substances as narcotic or psychotropic drugs capable of causing physical or psychological dependence and serious toxic effects or substantial health damage. The listing uses the chemical name 1-(3,4-metilendioxifenil)-2-pirrolidinil-1-pentanona.

CroatiaControlled

Classified as a controlled substance under national drug legislation.

Czech RepublicIllegal

MDPV has been listed in List 4 of the Czech lists of addictive substances since 1 October 2015. Unauthorised manufacture, acquisition, storage, supply, purchase, and sale are prohibited; List 4 substances may be used only for limited research, scientific, and very limited therapeutic purposes specified in a handling authorisation. The List 4 placement remains current following Government Regulation No. 107/2026 Coll., effective 25 June 2026.

EstoniaSchedule I

Controlled substance as of November 29, 2010. Added to Schedule I in February 2011 along with several other synthetic cathinones and cannabinoids.

FranceControlled

Controlled substance as of August 2, 2012.

HungaryIllegal

MDPV is listed as a psychotropic substance in Hungary’s P1 list under the controlled-substances decree, whose current consolidated text has applied since 1 January 2023. Manufacture, acquisition, distribution, storage, possession, transfer, and use of psychotropic substances require an activity licence; unlicensed possession, production, and sale of MDPV are prohibited.

IrelandControlled

Covered by the Misuse of Drugs Acts since May 11, 2010.

ItalyIllegal

MDPV is listed in Tabella I of Italy’s controlled-substances tables under DPR 309/1990. It was first specifically added by the Ministerial Decree of 11 May 2011, and the listing was retained when the tables were restored by Decree-Law 36/2014, converted into Law 79/2014. Unauthorised production, sale, distribution, transport, import, export, and supply of Table I substances are criminal offences; possession solely for personal use is subject to administrative sanctions.

LatviaControlled

Classified as a controlled substance under national drug legislation.

NetherlandsList I (Opiumwet)

Added to List I of the Opium Law in July 2015. Possession, distribution, and production without license is illegal.

PhilippinesIllegal

MDPV is listed in the Philippines' Schedule II of psychotropic substances. The Dangerous Drugs Board gives its chemical name as (RS)-1-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)pentan-1-one. Unauthorised possession, manufacture, importation and distribution are prohibited under Republic Act No. 9165.

RussiaIllegal

MDPV is listed in Russia's List I of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors. List I is the category whose circulation is prohibited under Russian legislation. The consolidated text records its addition by Government Resolution No. 112 of 25 February 2011.

SlovakiaSchedule I

Classified as a Schedule I controlled psychotropic substance as of March 1, 2011.

South KoreaIllegal

MDPV is listed in Schedule 3 as a psychotropic drug under Article 2(3)(a) of South Korea's Narcotics Control Act. The schedule controls MDPV together with its salts and isomers. Unlicensed possession, manufacture, import and distribution are prohibited.

SwedenControlled

Controlled substance. Notable case: a 33-year-old man was sentenced to six years imprisonment by an appellate court for possession of 250 grams acquired prior to criminalization.

TurkeyControlled

Classified as a controlled substance under national drug legislation.

United Arab EmiratesIllegal

MDPV is listed in Schedule 5 of the UAE's Federal Decree by Law No. 30 of 2021. The law prohibits import, export, transfer, production, manufacture, possession and acquisition of Schedule 5 psychotropic substances, subject only to authorised medical and scientific activities. The schedule identifies MDPV by its chemical name and common abbreviation.

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MDPV

3,4-Methylenedioxypyrovalerone

Bath Salts, NRG-1, Monkey Dust, Super Coke, Magic

MDPV

Contents

Dosage & Duration

Dosage

Duration

Subjective Effects

Physical

Cardiovascular

Coordination

Stimulation

Uncomfortable

Cognitive

Emotional

Enhancements

Visual

Auditory

Reagent Testing

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Pharmacokinetics

Interactions

Dangerous

Tolerance

Harm Potential

Addiction & Dependence

Psychological

Physical

Toxicity

Psychosis Risk

Seizure Risk

History & Culture

Development and Early History

Legality

International

By Country

References

Source Pages

Citations

Further Reading

Suggest an edit

MDPV

Contents

Dosage & Duration

Dosage

Duration

Subjective Effects

Physical

Cardiovascular

Coordination

Stimulation

Uncomfortable

Cognitive

Emotional

Enhancements

Visual

Auditory

Reagent Testing

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Pharmacokinetics

Interactions

Dangerous

Tolerance

Harm Potential

Addiction & Dependence

Psychological

Physical

Toxicity

Psychosis Risk

Seizure Risk

History & Culture

Development and Early History

Legality

International

By Country

References

Source Pages

Citations

Further Reading

Suggest an edit