Mephedrone

NPS§

Mephedrone is a New Psychoactive Substance (NPS) or research chemical. These NPS have rarely been properly researched. This means that very little or nothing is known about the long-term consequences, the consequences of frequent use, the risk of addiction, a dosage for optimal effect, or which dosage is dangerous. Always be extra careful with new drugs. If you don’t want to take the risk, don’t use drugs.

History and the law§

History§

Mephedrone was first seen in `legal highs’ in 2007, which were sold by the Israeli company Neorganics. This came to an end in 2008 when the substance was banned in Israel. In 2009, mephedrone surfaced in the United Kingdom, where its popularity increased enormously in a short amount of time. Online providers surfaced quickly and the street price dropped considerably. The popularity of the drug can be explained by the shortage of high-quality Ecstacy and cocaine at that time. Production mainly takes place in Chinese laboratories, and the product is then posted to European resellers.

In 2009, mephedrone surfaced in the Netherlands in the ‘swirl’ XTC tablets. The most likely cause is the dip in the MDMA market, the similarities of mephedrone and MDMA, and the reduced risk for producers (as it was still legal in 2009).

The law§

Mephedrone was included in the dutch Opium Act of May 9, 2012, which placed it on list 1 and is therefore classified a hard drug. Production, sale, and possession of mephedrone is punishable by law in the Netherlands. For more information, check out Drugs and the Law.

Mephedrone is illegal in most European countries, as well as in Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Mexico, Russia, and China. Since the ban, mephedrone is rarely seen in the Netherlands.

How to use mephedrone§

Mephedrone is usually swallowed or snorted. Taking it orally (swallowing) in a capsule, pill, or so-called ‘bomb’ (powder inside a rolling paper) seems to decrease the chance of dependence and the craving (urge to take more) relative to nasal use (snorting, sniffing, or insufflation). Mephedrone can also be injected, but is rarely seen in the Netherlands.

Dosage or mephedrone

The dosage of mephedrone varies by method of use, body weight, experience, and set and setting. Since little research has been done on this drug, little is known about a toxic dosage, so we can only rely on what users report. Be careful!

You can not see what the content or purity of a pill or powder is, so it is unclear how much mephedrone is in it or if contains any other psychoactive substances. The only way to be sure what you are taking, is to have the sample tested at a testing service.

Oral use (swallowing)

Based on user reports, we know that an oral dose of 50 – 100 mg is light, 100 – 200 mg is common, and above 200 mg is strong. It can take 15 to 45 minutes for the effects to start, and has a total duration of 4 to 6 hours.

Nasal use (snorting or sniffing)

Based on user reports, we know that a nasal dose of 15 to 45 mg is light, 45 – 80 mg is common, and above 80 mg is strong. It can take 5 to 15 minutes for the effects to start, and has a total duration of 3-6 hours.

Effects of mephedrone§

The effect of mephedrone depends on the mood you are in, as well as how you feel, where you are, and who you are with. One person can become irritable by a substance while others can become very gentle. After all, every person, every body, every mind, but also every situation is different.

Mephedrone stimulates the user, somewhat similar to cocaine. And it creates a powerful feeling of euphoria, somewhat similar to that of MDMA, but milder in terms of empathogenic or entactogenic effects. Emphathogenic means it increases the feeling of understanding other peoples’ feelings. Entactogenic means it increases the feeling of openness, connection, well-being and the ability to make social contact. The term was introduced by the pharmacologist Nichols when investigating the effects of MDMA.

The effect is often described as somewhere between MDMA and cocaine. The user feels energized, stimulated, and often tends to talk a lot. The duration of the peak is about 2 to 4 hours orally or 60 to 90 minutes nasally. This is followed by a period of a few hours where no effects are felt, but people find it difficult to fall asleep. Many people experience a dip and a strong craving (desire to take more) during this period, similar to the after-effects of cocaine. This feeling is milder when taking the drug orally.

Negative effects can occur, especially at high dosages and long-term use. Reports from users range from palpitations (feeling the heart beat in your chest or throat) to paranoia or purple discoloration of limbs due to vasoconstriction. Other side effects include nausea, headache, dizziness, excessive sweating, heartache, nose bleeds when snorting, or feelings of anxiety.

Psychological effects

• Euphoria
• Alertness
• Desire to talk
• Mild empathogenic effects (being able to empathize with others)
• Ego inflation
• Feeling open
• Increased libido or sex-drive
• Losing your inhibitions
• Increased appreciation of music
• Confusion, anxiety, or paranoia
• Craving (strong urge to take more)
• Mild hallucinations (at higher dosages)

Physical effects

• Stimulation
• Body tingling
• Tactile enhancement
• Large pupils
• Sweating
• Dry mouth
• Teeth grinding, stiff jaws, tongue biting
• Blurred vision (at higher dosages)
• Loss of appetite
• Vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels, resulting in blue or purple limbs)
• Difficulty peeing
• Reduced concentration and short-term memory
• Possible nausea, headache, dizziness

Risks of mephedrone§

Mephedrone is a new psychoactive substance (NPS) or research chemical. These NPS have rarely been properly investigated. This means that very little or nothing is known about the long-term consequences, the consequences of frequent use, the risk of addiction, a dosage for optimal effect, or what dosage is dangerous. Always be extra careful with new drugs. If you don’t want to take the risk, don’t use drugs.

Short-term risks

Reports from users range from palpitations (feeling the heart beat in your chest or throat) to paranoia or purple discoloration of limbs due to vasoconstriction. Other side effects include nausea, headache, dizziness, excessive sweating, heartache, nose bleeds when snorting, or feelings of anxiety. Mephedrone accelerates your heart rate and increases blood pressure. People with high blood pressure and/or heart problems are recommended to avoid experimenting with stimulants.

Mephedrone lowers your inhibitions and increases your sex-drive. This means you can do things you regret the next day. Practice safe sex and make sure your friends know where you are.

The hangover

Some people experience a hangover or dip similar to XTC in the day(s) following mephedrone use. They feel depressed, hypersensitive or grumpy, irritable, or empty. Read the Unity tips to reduce the mephedrone hangover as much as possible.

Long-term risks

Due to its short history of use, almost nothing is known about the long-term effects of mephedrone. However, there are indications that mephedrone can trigger problems with the auto-immune system (vasculitis) in a small percentage of people. There is also evidence that it can cause long-term narrowing of blood vessels (peripheral vasoconstriction). People who experience these side-effects are advised to stop use immediately.

Addiction or abuse potential

Especially with nasal use (snorting, sniffing, or insufflation), mephedrone can be addictive for some. The short rush and subsequent dip create a strong craving for more. With frequent use, tolerance occurs: you feel less for the same dosage, and thus you increase your dosage. Compared to other NPS, more people report accidentally finishing the entire bag when planning to try only a little. This effect is less severe when swallowing than when snorting.

Combination of mephedrone and other substances§

Combining different drugs is extra risky and unpredictable. When combining, you are more likely to have health problems. For more information, check the theme Drugs and combination use. Because we know so little about mephedrone, it is not recommended to combine mephedrone with other drugs.

In particular, combining mephedrone and alcohol can result in accidentally taking too much. Stimulants mask the effect of alcohol and when the effects wear off you are very drunk all of a sudden. That increases the chance of snorting again, like cocaine. When you combine alcohol and mephedrone, make sure you don’t drink and snort more than you planned to.

Moreover, the combination of mephedrone and other stimulants can increase the heart rate and blood pressure to dangerous levels. The neurotoxic effects of MDMA may be increased when combined with other stimulants such as mephedrone.

Lastly, we advise against using mephedrone when you are diabetic, have a bad heart or high blood pressure, during pregnancy, if you suffer from epilepsy or mental disorders. Combining drugs and medication is always uncertain, but do not combine mephedrone with MAO-inhibitors or asthma medication.

Unity tips for mephedrone§

• The most important tip: eat healthy before and after mephedrone use. Nuts and peanuts are high in nutrients, fruit (oranges/kiwis) and broccoli are rich in vitamins and antioxidants. It may be difficult to eat after mephedrone use but try it anyway; eating well reduces the hangover significantly. If you can’t stomach solid food, drink juices or make a smoothie.
• Drink 1 or 2 glasses of (non-alcoholic) fluids per hour to reduce dehydration and overheating, and to prevent water intoxication.
• Use only when you feel good mentally and physically.
• Rest well before and after mephedrone use.
• Don’t overheat: rest every now and then, don’t wear warm clothing or anything on your head, drink water.
• Don’t combine with alcohol, other drugs, or medication.
• Don’t drug and drive.
• Mephedrone lowers your inhibitions and can work as an aphrodisiac. Protect yourself against STDs during sex by using a condom.

Would you like more information, do you have a question, or would you like to chat about this or another drug? Look for contact details (link) in your area or send an email to [email protected] (link).

Read more on mephedrone (4-MMC):

• Erowid
• Wikipedia
• Psychonautwiki
• Talk to Frank

Would you like more information, do you have a question or would you like to chat about this or another drug? Look for contact details in your area or send an email to [email protected].