Mephedrone
Mephedrone is a synthetic entactogen-stimulant of the substituted cathinone class.citation needed Originally synthesized in 19291, it was rediscovered in 2003 and rapidly gained popularity as an online research chemical between 2007 and 2009, particularly in the United Kingdom. Its effects are frequently compared to a combination of MDMA and cocaine. Mephedrone's short duration1 and intense rush are associated with compulsive redosing, and it is sometimes misrepresented as MDMA.citation needed
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.
Duration
Subjective Effects
Legacy content. A statistically backed ontology from Mindstate Design Labs is coming soon.
Effects vary widely by individual, dose, and context.
Physical
The physical effects of mephedrone can be broken down into several components which progressively intensify proportional to dosage.
Cognitive
The cognitive effects of mephedrone can be broken down into several components which progressively intensify proportional to dosage. The general head space of mephedrone is described by many as one of extreme mental stimulation and powerful euphoria. It contains a large number of typical stimulant cognitive effects.
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
Mephedrone acts primarily as a substrate-type releasing agent and reuptake inhibitor at the serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine transporters.citation needed It preferentially releases serotonin over dopamine, functioning as a full releaser of serotonin but only a partial releaser of dopamine.2 Beyond its transporter-mediated effects, mephedrone is a potent near-full agonist at the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor and shows significant affinity for the 5-HT2B, 5-HT2C, and α2-adrenergic receptors, though it is inactive as an agonist at 5-HT2B. It also activates rodent TAAR1 at micromolar potencies but does not appear to act as an agonist at the human TAAR1.
Pharmacokinetics
Mephedrone is rapidly absorbed following oral or intranasal administration, with peak plasma concentrations typically reached within 0.5 to 1 hour. It readily crosses the blood-brain barrier (brain-to-plasma ratio of approximately 1.85 in rats) and has a plasma elimination half-life of approximately 2 hours. The drug undergoes extensive first-pass metabolism primarily via CYP2D6, with major phase I pathways including N-demethylation, ketone reduction, and tolyl group oxidation. Absolute bioavailability in rats is approximately 10%, consistent with substantial hepatic first-pass metabolism, and plasma protein binding is approximately 22%. Mephedrone exhibits enantioselective pharmacokinetics in which the R-(+) enantiomer reaches higher peak concentrations and persists longer than the S-(-) enantiomer.4
Interactions
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.
Dopaminergic stimulants
Harm Potential
Addiction & Dependence
Psychological
HighChronic use is considered highly addictive with an extreme potential for abuse and psychological dependence. The urge to redose is notoriously strong, particularly with insufflation, with many users reporting difficulty controlling their intake within a single session. Compulsive redosing patterns similar to or exceeding those of other euphoric stimulants are commonly described, leading to consumption of far more than intended.
Physical
LowPhysical dependence is unlikely to develop significantly. Withdrawal symptoms are minimal and not life-threatening, though dependence may manifest as restlessness, tremors, insomnia, and hyperactivity following cessation of regular use.
Toxicity
Acute cardiovascular effects including elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate, and vasoconstriction occur during intoxication;6 severe vasoconstriction resulting in bluish discolouration of extremities has been reported with repeated dosing over extended sessions at cumulative doses exceeding 600 mg.
Animal studies indicate mephedrone is a monoaminergic neurotoxin inducing serotonergic neurotoxicity; persistent serotonergic deficits have been observed following binge-like use patterns, particularly in warm environments,citation needed though some evidence suggests mephedrone may be less neurotoxic than corresponding amphetamines like MDMA at moderate doses.
Insufflation causes local irritation including pain, swelling, nosebleeds, and sinusitis; these effects are route-specific and occur primarily with heavy or repeated intranasal use.
One case of acquired methaemoglobinaemia with bluish discolouration of lips and fingers has been reported following insufflation of one gram;8 this appears to be a rare adverse effect.
Psychosis Risk
High doses may lead to psychotic reactions including hallucinations, delusions, and erratic behaviour. Anxiety and paranoia are more commonly reported adverse effects. The most severe psychiatric effects appear to be associated with high doses or prolonged use, and risk may be elevated in individuals with predisposition to schizophrenia.
Seizure Risk
Seizures have been documented in clinical case series,6 with one hospital report finding 20% of treated patients experienced seizures. A fatal case in Sweden involved convulsions. Individuals with pre-existing seizure disorders may be at elevated risk when using stimulants.
History & Culture
Discovery and Synthesis
Mephedrone was first synthesized in 19291 by Saem de Burnaga Sanchez, who published his work in the Bulletin de la Société Chimique de France under the chemical name "toluyl-alpha-monomethylaminoethylcetone." Following this initial synthesis, the compound remained an obscure
Legality
International
Mephedrone is not scheduled under the 1961, 1971, or 1988 UN drug-control conventions.
By Country
References
Source Pages
Citations
- Green AR, King MV, Shortall SE, & Fone KCF. (2014). The preclinical pharmacology of mephedrone; not just MDMA by another name. 171(9), 2251-2268. https://doi.org/10.1111/bph.1262812345
- Mayer FP, Niello M, Bulling S, Zhang YW, Li Y, Kudlacek O, Holy M, Kooti F, Sandtner W, Rudnick G, Schmid D, & Sitte HH. (2023). Mephedrone induces partial release at human dopamine transporters but full release at human serotonin transporters. Neuropharmacology, 240, Article 109704. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.10970412345
- Mayer FP, Wimmer L, Dillon-Carter O, Partilla JS, Burchardt NV, Mihovilovic MD, Baumann MH, & Sitte HH. (2016). Phase I metabolites of mephedrone display biological activity as substrates at monoamine transporters. British Journal of Pharmacology, 173(17), 2657-2668. https://doi.org/10.1111/bph.13547123
- Czerwinska J, Parkin MC, Cilibrizzi A, George C, Kicman AT, Dargan PI, & Abbate V. (2021). Pharmacokinetics of Mephedrone Enantiomers in Whole Blood after a Controlled Intranasal Administration to Healthy Human Volunteers. Pharmaceuticals, 14(1), Article 5. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph140100051
- Czerwinska J, Parkin MC, George C, Kicman AT, Dargan PI, & Abbate V. (2021). Pharmacokinetics of Mephedrone and Its Metabolites in Whole Blood and Plasma after Controlled Intranasal Administration to Healthy Human Volunteers. Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 45(7), 730-738. https://doi.org/10.1093/jat/bkaa1341234
- James D, Adams RD, Spears R, Cooper G, Lupton DJ, Thompson JP, & Thomas SHL. (2011). Clinical characteristics of mephedrone toxicity reported to the UK National Poisons Information Service. Emergency Medicine Journal, 28(8), 686-689. https://doi.org/10.1136/emj.2010.09663612
- Pantano F, Tittarelli R, Mannocchi G, Pacifici R, di Luca A, Busardò FP, & Marinelli E. (2017). Neurotoxicity Induced by Mephedrone: An up-to-date Review. 15(5), 738-749. https://doi.org/10.2174/1570159x146661611301307181
- Ahmed N, Hoy BPS, & McInerney J. (2010). Methaemoglobinaemia due to mephedrone (‘snow’). BMJ Case Reports, 2010, bcr0420102879. https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr.04.2010.28791
- Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard—June 2026) Instrument 2026. legislation.gov.au (n.d.). https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2026L00633/latest/text1
- Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard—June 2026) Instrument 2026. tga.gov.au (n.d.). https://www.tga.gov.au/products/regulations-all-products/legislation-and-legislative-instruments/poisons-standard-susmp1
Article Status
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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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