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Methcathinone

Methcathinone molecule structureMethcathinone molecule structure
alpha-methylamino-propiophenone
Ephedrone, Methcat, Cat, Jeff, MC
Psychoactive Class
Stimulant
Chemical Class
CathinonePhenethylamine

Methcathinone is a synthetic stimulant of the cathinone and phenethylamine classes.citation needed First synthesized in 1928 in the United States, it was later used as an antidepressant in the Soviet Union.123 Structurally, it can be considered the cathinone analogue of methamphetamine.4 It produces amphetamine-like stimulant effects and is prevalent in central and eastern Europe,citation needed where it is sometimes sold as mephedrone or manufactured from over-the-counter ephedrine-containing medications.

Dosage & Duration

Dosage

Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.

Threshold~25 mg
Light50-100 mg
Moderate100-200 mg
Strong200-300 mg
Heavy300+ mg

The stimulant effects can feel subtle initially, creating a risk of overdose through redosing. Overdose may cause heart palpitations, gastrointestinal upset, restlessness, and sleep disturbances.

Duration

Onset30-45 minutes
Total4-6 hours

Subjective Effects

Legacy content. A statistically backed ontology from Mindstate Design Labs is coming soon.

Methcathinone produces a classic stimulant experience far closer to amphetamine than to the traditionally chewed khat plant, despite its structural relationship to the latter. The experience centers on euphoria, a pronounced increase in drive and energy, sociability, and disinhibition, accompanied by suppressed fatigue and appetite. The onset can feel deceptively subtle, which encourages repeated redosing and raises the risk of overdose; the comedown is frequently marked by depressive states.

Physical

The body load is that of a strong stimulant: hyperactivity, restlessness, and considerable strain on the heart and circulation, with heart fluttering possible at higher doses. Appetite and fatigue are suppressed, sleep becomes difficult, and users report an increased urge to urinate paired with difficulty actually urinating.

Stimulation

Uncomfortable

Cognitive

The headspace is energetic, extroverted, and disinhibited, with a strong urge to talk and an elevated, euphoric mood. This is often undercut by inner restlessness during the experience and low, depressive moods as the effects wear off.

Emotional

Motivational

Social

Disinhibition

Reagent Testing

Expected colorimetric results for common reagent tests. Colors show reaction change over 1–2 minutes.

Mecke(ME)
white → yellow2
Mandelin(MD)
yellow2 → orange2 → red2
Liebermann(LB)
white → yellow2
Zimm(ZI)
white → purple3
Powered by PROtestkit.eu

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Methcathinone acts primarily as a norepinephrine and dopamine releasing agent with strong affinity for both the dopamine transporter (DAT) and the norepinephrine transporter (NET).citation needed It has also been described as a dopamine reuptake inhibitor.5 Its affinity for the serotonin transporter (SERT) is comparatively lower.citation needed

Pharmacokinetics

The carbonyl group at the beta position of the cathinone backbone introduces polarity that somewhat reduces the compound's ability to cross the blood-brain barrier compared to amphetamine. There have been no studies on the pharmacokinetic profile of Methcathinone and the metabolism of Methcathinone is unknown.

Metabolitesnone documented 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.

Check TripSit

Tolerance

Tolerance not written up yet

Harm Potential

Addiction & Dependence

Psychological

High

Methcathinone is considered highly psychologically addictive with abuse potential similar to amphetamines.citation needed Extreme compulsive redosing is commonly reported, partly because initial effects may seem subtle, leading users to take additional doses. Animal studies have demonstrated pronounced drug-seeking behavior and craving.

Physical

Moderate

Physical dependence can develop with prolonged or high-dosage use, producing methamphetamine-like withdrawal symptoms.citation needed Discontinuation after chronic use is associated with depression, anxiety, anhedonia, and cognitive fatigue, though psychological withdrawal symptoms appear more prominent than classical physical dependence.

Toxicity

Cardiovascular

Methcathinone places considerable strain on the cardiovascular system, causing hypertension and tachycardia during use;citation needed risk of stroke or heart attack is elevated, particularly at high doses or with repeated administration.

Central Nervous System

Illicitly manufactured methcathinone synthesized using potassium permanganate oxidation may contain manganese contamination, causing neurotoxicity with Parkinson-like symptoms (manganism);678 this risk is specific to contaminated batches rather than the pure compound.

Renal

Severe dehydration is reported more frequently with methcathinone than with other stimulants, creating risk of rhabdomyolysis which can be life-threatening if untreated;citation needed adequate hydration during use is essential to protect kidney function.

Upper Respiratory

Insufflation is corrosive to the nasal mucosa in a manner similar to methamphetamine, causing long-lasting nosebleeds with repeated intranasal use.citation needed

Psychosis Risk

Chronic high-dose use may result in acute mental confusion ranging from mild paranoia to psychosis.citation needed These symptoms typically disappear quickly if use is stopped. Paranoia is also listed among acute cognitive effects at higher doses.

History & Culture

Methcathinone was first synthesized in the United States in 1928.citation needed The compound was subsequently patented by the pharmaceutical company Parke-Davis in 1957.9 During the 1930s and 1940s, the Soviet Union employed the substance…

Legality

International

UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971 (Schedule I)11

By Country

Controlled / restricted1
Australia flagAustraliaSchedule 9

References

Source Pages

  1. Consideration of the Cathinones - UK Advisory Council
  2. Drug Users Bible by Dominic Milton Trott
  3. DrugBank: Methcathinone
  4. Erowid: Methcathinone FAQ
  5. Isomer Design (TiHKAL/PiHKAL)
  6. Methcathinone FAQ (Erowid/Rhodium)
  7. PsychonautWiki
  8. TripSit: Drug Combinations
  9. Wikipedia

Citations

  1. DARK Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Cathinone-Derived Psychostimulants. (n.d.). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6197900/1
  2. Synthetic cathinone abuse. (n.d.). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3706256/1
  3. Neurobehavioral Disorders and Cognitive Impairment in Methcathinone Exposure: A Systematic Review of Literature. (n.d.). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12645125/1
  4. Richard A. Glennon, Mamoun Yousif, Noreen Naiman, & Peter Kalix. (1987). Methcathinone: a new and potent amphetamine-like agent. Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav., 26(3), 547–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/0091-3057(87)90164-x1
  5. Wojcieszak J, & et al.. (2019). Methcathinone and 3-Fluoromethcathinone Stimulate Spontaneous Horizontal Locomotor Activity in Mice and Elevate Extracellular Dopamine and Serotonin Levels in the Mouse Striatum. Frontiers in Pharmacology. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6420425/1
  6. Sikk K. (2011). Manganese-Induced Parkinsonism due to Ephedrone Abuse. Parkinson's Disease. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3043321/12
  7. Manganese toxicity with ephedrone abuse manifesting as parkinsonism: a case report. Journal of Medical Case Reports (2012). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3292443/1
  8. Manganese Encephalopathy Caused by Homemade Methcathinone (Ephedrone) Prevalence in Poland. Frontiers in Neurology (2021). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8539983/1
  9. L'Italien YJ, & Rebstock MC. (1957). Methylaminopropiophenone compounds and methods for producing the same. Parke, Davis & Company. https://patents.google.com/patent/US2802865A/en1
  10. Food and Drug Administration. (1994-06-20). International Drug Scheduling; Convention on Psychotropic Substances; Methcathinone. Federal Register, 59(117). https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-1994-06-20/html/94-14962.htm1

Further Reading

  1. Bluedark: Methcathinone
  2. Glennon et al. 1987 - Methcathinone: A New and Potent Amphetamine-like Agent

Article Status

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  1. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

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