Methcathinone
Methcathinone is a synthetic stimulant of the cathinone and phenethylamine classes.12 First synthesized in 1928 in the United States,2 it was later used as an antidepressant in the Soviet Union.134 Structurally, it can be considered the cathinone analogue of methamphetamine.5 It produces amphetamine-like stimulant effects and is prevalent in central and eastern Europe,6 where it is sometimes sold as mephedrone or manufactured from over-the-counter ephedrine-containing medications.6
Contents
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
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
Subjective Effects
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.
Reagent Testing
Loading reagent data
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).78 It has also been described as a dopamine reuptake inhibitor.9 Its affinity for the serotonin transporter (SERT) is comparatively lower.107
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. No detailed metabolic pathway, enzyme, or elimination data are available in current sources.
Tolerance
Harm Potential
Addiction & Dependence
Psychological
HighMethcathinone is considered highly psychologically addictive with abuse potential similar to amphetamines.1112 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.1112
Physical
ModeratePhysical dependence can develop with prolonged or high-dosage use, producing methamphetamine-like withdrawal symptoms.13 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
Severe dehydration is reported more frequently with methcathinone than with other stimulants, creating risk of rhabdomyolysis which can be life-threatening if untreated;18 adequate hydration during use is essential to protect kidney function.
Insufflation is corrosive to the nasal mucosa in a manner similar to methamphetamine, causing long-lasting nosebleeds with repeated intranasal use.18
Psychosis Risk
Chronic high-dose use may result in acute mental confusion ranging from mild paranoia to psychosis.19 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 1928.21 The compound was subsequently patented by the pharmaceutical company Parke-Davis in 1957.2021 During the 1930s and 1940s, the Soviet Union…
Legality
International
UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971 (Schedule I)23
By Country
References
Source Pages
Citations
- (n.d.). DARK Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Cathinone-Derived Psychostimulants. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6197900/1234
- (n.d.). Synthetic Cathinones and amphetamine analogues: What's the rave about?. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5556313/123
- (n.d.). Synthetic cathinone abuse. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3706256/12
- (n.d.). Neurobehavioral Disorders and Cognitive Impairment in Methcathinone Exposure: A Systematic Review of Literature. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12645125/12
- (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
- (n.d.). Methcathinone 'Kitchen Chemistry' and Permanent Neurological Damage. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26070761/1234
- Angoa-Pérez M, Anneken JH, & Kuhn DM. (2018). Neurotoxicology of Synthetic Cathinone Analogs. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6100737/12
- Simmler LD, Buser TA, Donzelli M, & et al.. (2013). Pharmacological characterization of designer cathinones in vitro. British Journal of Pharmacology. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3572571/1
- 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
- (March 2019). The dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine releasing activities of a series of methcathinone analogs in male rat brain synaptosomes. Psychopharmacology, 236(3), 915–924. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-018-5063-91
- (April 1994). Intravenous self-injection of methcathinone in the baboon. Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav., 47(4), 981–3. https://doi.org/10.1016/0091-3057(94)90307-712
- Watterson LR, Hood L, & Sewalia K. (2012). Abuse-related and abuse-limiting effects of methcathinone and the synthetic 'bath salts' cathinone analogs methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), methylone and mephedrone on intracranial self-stimulation in rats. Neuropsychopharmacology. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3877726/12
- (1995). Methcathinone: the next illicit stimulant epidemic?. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 27(3), 277–85. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.1995.104724721
- (2024). Cardiotoxicity After Synthetic Cathinone Use; Two Cases, A Case Series and Scoping Review. Cardiovascular Toxicology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12012-024-09832-x12
- Sikk K. (2011). Manganese-Induced Parkinsonism due to Ephedrone Abuse. Parkinson's Disease. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3043321/12
- (2012). Manganese toxicity with ephedrone abuse manifesting as parkinsonism: a case report. Journal of Medical Case Reports. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3292443/1
- (2021). Manganese Encephalopathy Caused by Homemade Methcathinone (Ephedrone) Prevalence in Poland. Frontiers in Neurology. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8539983/1
- Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. (n.d.). Synthetic cathinones: an updated harms assessment. UK Government. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/synthetic-cathinones-an-updated-harms-assessment/synthetic-cathinones-an-updated-harms-assessment-accessible12
- Emerson TS, & Cisek JE. (1993). Methcathinone: a Russian designer amphetamine infiltrates the rural midwest. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 22(12), 1897-1903. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8241195/1
- L'Italien YJ, & Rebstock MC. (1957). Methylaminopropiophenone compounds and methods for producing the same. Parke, Davis & Company. https://patents.google.com/patent/US2802865A/en1
- 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.htm123
- Food and Drug Administration. (1995-01-20). International Drug Scheduling; Convention on Psychotropic Substances; WHO Scheduling Recommendations; Methcathinone. Federal Register, 60(13). https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-1995-01-20/html/95-1553.htm1
- International Narcotics Control Board. (2024). List of Psychotropic Substances under International Control (Green List), 35th edition, 2024. United Nations. https://www.upu.int/UPU/media/upu/files/postalSolutions/programmesAndServices/postalSupplyChain/customs/listCustomsPsychotropicSubstancesUnderInternationalControlEn.pdf1
- Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (Australia). (2026-01-27). Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard—February 2026) Instrument 2026, Schedule 9—Prohibited substances. Federal Register of Legislation. https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2026L00060/asmade12
Further Reading
Automated synthesisInformation aggregated and synthesized using an autonomous workflow built by Josie Kins.
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