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Methoxetamine

Methoxetamine molecule structureMethoxetamine molecule structure
3-MeO-2'-Oxo-PCE
MXE, Mexxy
Psychoactive Class
Chemical Class

Methoxetamine is a dissociative substance of the arylcyclohexylamine class, structurally related to ketamine and PCP.citation needed It was intentionally designed as a possible therapy for phantom limb syndrome and first appeared on grey markets in late 2010. MXE was noted for its ketamine-like dissociative effects with a pronounced psychedelic character. Once widely available as a research chemical, it is now considered largely extinct due to global bans on its production.

Dosage & Duration

Dosage

Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.

Threshold~10 mg
Light10-25 mg
Moderate25-45 mg
Strong45-70 mg
Heavy70+ mg

High doses can cause nausea and vomiting near the peak. Compulsive redosing has been reported and may lead to overdose.

Duration

Onset15-30 minutes
Come Up45-90 minutes
Peak1.5-2.5 hours
Offset1-1.5 hours
After Effects6-48 hours
Total4-6 hours

Subjective Effects

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

Effects vary widely by individual, dose, and context.

Physical

Tactile disconnectionPhysical autonomy

Cognitive

The general head space of MXE is often described as particularly euphoric and clear headed in comparison to that of DXM and Ketamine.

Visual

Distortions

MXE exhibits a full array of dissociative distortions and alterations in visual perception.

Geometry

The visual geometry found within MXE can be described as very psychedelic when compared to that of Ketamine but not as complex as that of DXM. It does not extend beyond level 5 and can be comprehensively described as simplistic in complexity, algorithmic in style, synthetic in feel, unstructured in organization, dimly lit in lighting, multicoloured in scheme, glossy in shading, soft in edges, large in size, fast in speed, smooth in motion, equal in rounded and angular corners, immersive in depth and consistent in intensity.

Hallucinatory States

At high dosages, MXE can produce a full range of high level hallucinatory states in a fashion that is less consistent and reproducible than that of many other commonly used psychedelics.

Suppressions

This substance does not enhance visual stimuli; instead it tends to degrade and decrease visual aptitude in a variety of ways.

Visual acuity suppression

Auditory

The auditory effects of MXE are common in their occurrence and exhibit a range of effects.

Forked from Subjective Effect Documentation byJosie Kins October 2012.

See also: Dissociative Intensity Scale, Subjective Effects of Dissociatives

Reagent Testing

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

Marquis(MQ)
white → yellow1
Mecke(ME)
white → brown1
Mandelin(MD)
yellow2 → yellow2 → orange1 → brown1
Liebermann(LB)
white → brown1
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Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

MXE acts primarily as a high-affinity NMDA receptor antagonist at the dizocilpine (MK-801) binding site (Ki = 257 nM). It also functions as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor with moderate affinity (Ki = 479 nM), while showing negligible activity at the dopamine and norepinephrine transporters (Ki > 10,000 nM). Despite this lack of direct dopamine transporter activity, MXE has been found to activate dopaminergic neurotransmission in the mesolimbic reward pathway, a property shared with other NMDA receptor antagonists. The compound shows insignificant direct affinity for the μ-opioid receptor. The (S)- and (R)-enantiomers appear to contribute differently to the overall profile, with the (S)-enantiomer showing potent NMDA receptor activity and the (R)-enantiomer primarily associated with serotonin reuptake inhibition.

Pharmacokinetics

Limited pharmacokinetic data is available for MXE. O-demethylation of the methoxy group has been identified as a metabolic pathway1, producing a hydroxylated metabolite that may possess enhanced NMDA receptor activity. In-vivo metabolites may exhibit pharmacological properties distinct from the parent compound.

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.

Unsafe

Avoid

There is considerable risk of physical harm when taking these combinations, they should be avoided where possible.

DXMMAOIs

Caution

Use caution

These combinations are not usually physically harmful, but may produce undesirable effects, such as physical discomfort or overstimulation. Extreme use may cause physical health issues. Synergistic effects may be unpredictable. Care should be taken when choosing to use this combination.

2C-T-x compoundsAmphetaminesBenzodiazepinesCocaineDOx compoundsMDMANBOMe compoundsPCPPregabalinSSRIs
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Tolerance

Tolerance timelines are rules of thumb, not exact schedules, and vary widely between individuals and use patterns.

Full Tolerance
Many MXE effects can become less responsive after sustained repeated use. The pace varies considerably by person; some users report tolerance building over weeks, while others notice substantial tolerance after a single night of heavy consumption.
Baseline Reset
1-2 weeks, though some reports suggest that heavy use patterns may require a month or more for complete tolerance reset.
Half Tolerance
3-7 days
Cross Tolerance

Dissociatives (ketamine, PCP, DXM, and related compounds)

Harm Potential

Addiction & Dependence

Psychological

Moderate

MXE is considered moderately addictive with a high potential for abuse and is capable of producing psychological dependence among certain users.citation needed Multiple reports describe it as 'more-ish' with tendencies toward compulsive redosing, and cases of daily habitual use have been documented across online communities.

Physical

Low

MXE does not appear to be physically addictive. However, when psychological dependence has developed, some withdrawal effects may occur upon sudden cessation of use.

Toxicity

Urinary System

Repeated heavy use over extended periods may cause bladder and urinary tract problems similar to those seen with ketamine, including urinary frequency, urgency, pelvic pain, and hematuria; MXE's higher potency means smaller doses are required, potentially reducing but not eliminating this risk with chronic abuse patterns.citation needed

Central Nervous System

Acute reversible cerebellar toxicity has been documented in overdose cases, with symptoms lasting one to four days after exposure; this appears to be associated with high-dose or combined consumption rather than typical recreational use.citation needed

Cardiovascular

Animal research suggests potential harmful effects on the cardiovascular system; individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions should exercise particular caution.citation needed

History & Culture

Design and Synthesis

Methoxetamine represents a deliberate exercise in rational drug design rather than accidental discovery.citation needed The compound was conceived by an anonymous chemist who sought to create a ketamine analogue with improved therapeutic properties. Structurally, MXE incorporates

Trip Reports

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Legality

International

1961 Convention: not internationally scheduled.

1971 Convention: not internationally scheduled.

1988 Convention: not internationally scheduled.

By Country

Illegal31
United States flagUnited StatesIllegal
Austria flagAustriaIllegal
Brazil flagBrazilIllegal
Canada flagCanadaIllegal (analog/blanket ban)
Chile flagChileIllegal
China flagChinaIllegal
Croatia flagCroatiaIllegal
Cyprus flagCyprusIllegal
Czech Republic flagCzech RepublicIllegal
Denmark flagDenmarkIllegal
Finland flagFinlandIllegal
France flagFranceIllegal
Germany flagGermanyIllegal
India flagIndiaIllegal
Indonesia flagIndonesiaIllegal
Ireland flagIrelandIllegal
Italy flagItalyIllegal
Japan flagJapanIllegal
Netherlands flagNetherlandsIllegal
Norway flagNorwayIllegal
Philippines flagPhilippinesIllegal
Russia flagRussiaIllegal
Singapore flagSingaporeIllegal
Slovenia flagSloveniaIllegal
Spain flagSpainIllegal
Sweden flagSwedenIllegal
Switzerland flagSwitzerlandIllegal
Thailand flagThailandIllegal
Turkey flagTurkeyIllegal
Ukraine flagUkraineIllegal
United Kingdom flagUnited KingdomIllegal
Controlled / restricted2
Colombia flagColombiaRestricted
Mexico flagMexicoRestricted
Legal / decriminalized1
Portugal flagPortugalDecriminalized

References

Source Pages

  1. Bluelight: Big & Dandy MXE Thread
  2. Disregard Everything I Say
  3. Drug Users Bible by Dominic Milton Trott
  4. Erowid
  5. Erowid: Methoxetamine Dose Chart
  6. Isomer Design (TiHKAL/PiHKAL)
  7. NERVEWING
  8. PsychonautWiki
  9. TripSit Factsheets
  10. TripSit Wiki
  11. UNODC: New Psychoactive Substances Report
  12. Wikipedia

Citations

  1. Markus R. Meyer, Martina Bach, Jessica Welter, Michael Bovens, Alain Turcant, & Hans H. Maurer. (2013). Ketamine-derived designer drug methoxetamine: metabolism including isoenzyme kinetics and toxicological detectability using GC-MS and LC-(HR-)MSn. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 405(19), 6307–6321. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-013-7051-61
  2. Jennifer E. Shields, Paul I. Dargan, David M. Wood, Malgorzata Puchnarewicz, Susannah Davies, & W. Stephen Waring. (June 2012). Methoxetamine associated reversible cerebellar toxicity: three cases with analytical confirmation. Clinical Toxicology, 50(5), 438–440. https://doi.org/10.3109/15563650.2012.6834371
  3. RIS, Austrian consolidated narcotics schedule. ris.bka.gv.at (n.d.). https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/NormDokument.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Anlage=4&Artikel=&Gesetzesnummer=10011053&Paragraf=&Uebergangsrecht=1
  4. Methoxetamin MXE – checkit! Wien. checkit! Wien (Vienna drug checking service) (n.d.). https://checkit.wien/en/substanz/methoxetamin-mxe/1
  5. ANVISA controlled-substances list. gov.br (n.d.). https://www.gov.br/anvisa/pt-br/assuntos/medicamentos/controlados/lista-substancias1
  6. Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, Schedule I item 14, current to 21 June 2026. laws-lois.justice.gc.ca (n.d.). https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-38.8/section-sched95314.html1
  7. Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, sections 2 and 4, current to 21 June 2026. laws-lois.justice.gc.ca (n.d.). https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-38.8/fulltext.html1
  8. Regulating controlled substances and precursors, Health Canada guidance modified 17 December 2025. canada.ca (n.d.). https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/corporate/mandate/regulatory-role/what-health-canada-regulates-1/controlled-substances-precursors.html1
  9. Health Canada's Controlled Substances Status Determination Process, guidance modified 27 March 2023. canada.ca (n.d.). https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/corporate/mandate/regulatory-role/what-health-canada-regulates-1/controlled-substances-precursors/overview-substance-control-status-determination-process.html1
  10. Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional de Chile legal text. nuevo.leychile.cl (n.d.). https://nuevo.leychile.cl/servicios/Consulta/Exportar?exportar_con_notas_al_pie=True&exportar_con_notas_bcn=True&exportar_con_notas_originales=True&exportar_formato=pdf&hddResultadoExportar=269323.2023-09-16.0.0%23&nombrearchivo=Decreto-867_19-FEB-2008&radioExportar=Normas1

Further Reading

  1. Alcohol and Drug Foundation - MXE Facts
  2. Anodyne.wiki Entry on MXE
  3. DrugFacts UK - MXE Duration and Harms
  4. Halberstadt AL, et al. - Novel Ketamine Analog Methoxetamine Produces Dissociative-Like Behavioral Effects in Rodents
  5. Hi-Ground Harm-Reduction Leaflet
  6. Hofer KE, et al. - Ketamine-Like Effects After Recreational MXE Use
  7. Ketamine-like effects after recreational MXE use
  8. Meyer MR, et al. - MXE Metabolism Including Isoenzyme Kinetics and Toxicological Detectability
  9. Morris H - Interview with a Ketamine Chemist
  10. MXE NMDA IC50 data
  11. MXE pharmacokinetics and metabolites review
  12. Pain Medicine - Self-Medication Case Report
  13. Pain Medicine – self-medication case
  14. Phenomenological study of MXE experiences
  15. Roth BL, et al. - Detailed Pharmacological Evaluation of MXE
  16. ScienceDirect: Topics - Methoxetamine Duration by Route
  17. Wood DM, et al. - Reversible Cerebellar Toxicity Case Report
  18. Zanda MT, et al. - MXE Pharmacokinetics and Metabolites Review

Article Status

  • Josie Kins avatar
    Step 1 · Automated synthesis

    An autonomous workflow built by Josie Kins compiled this article's foundation from information published across the web.

  • Lyrea avatar
    Step 2 · First-pass review

    A first pass manual review and edit of article prose and copy has been performed by subject-matter expert Lyrea. This does not guarantee factual accuracy. An additional human review for each of this article's citations is yet to be performed.

  • Step 3 · Citation reviewPending

    No one has reviewed this article's citations yet. That second pass checks each claim against the source it cites.

Recent changes8 human edits · latest

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4 August 2026

  1. Lyrea · Updated the article

  2. Lyrea · Updated the article

24 January 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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