yellow2 → orange2 → red2 → brown2 → yellow2
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Mephedrone
4-MMC
StimulantsEntactogensResearch Chemicals
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.
Threshold~15 mg
Light15-50 mg
Moderate50-100 mg
Strong100-150 mg
Heavy150+ mg
Bioavailability
~10% (rat data)
Duration
Onset15-45 minutes
Come Up15-30 minutes
Peak45-90 minutes
Offset0.5-1.5 hours
After Effects2-4 hours
Total2-5 hours
Half-life
~2 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
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
Interactions not written up yet
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.
Full Tolerance
Repeated mephedrone use over time can blunt many effectscitation needed, often requiring higher doses for similar results. Users often report that overuse degrades the initial 'magic,' a pattern similar to what is described with MDMA.
Baseline Reset
1-2 weeks
Half Tolerance
3-7 days
Cross Tolerance
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
Cardiovascular
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.
Central Nervous System
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.
Nasal and Upper Respiratory
Insufflation causes local irritation including pain, swelling, nosebleeds, and sinusitis; these effects are route-specific and occur primarily with heavy or repeated intranasal use.
Hematological
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
Illegal39
United StatesIllegalFederally scheduled in July 2012 under the Controlled Substances Act. Illegal to manufacture, buy, possess, or distribute without a DEA license. Prior to federal scheduling, numerous states enacted emergency bans starting in 2010-2011 including Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and others.
AustraliaIllegalClassified as a prohibited substance under the Poisons Standard. Manufacture, possession, sale, or use is prohibited except for approved medical or scientific research purposes with Commonwealth and/or State or Territory Health Authorities approval.
BrazilIllegalRDC nº 36, de 3 de agosto de 2011, updating Portaria SVS/MS nº 344/199819
Added to the list of scheduled drugs as of August 2011. Illegal to possess, sell, or manufacture without a license.
ChinaIllegalChina first placed 4-methylmethcathinone under Category I psychotropic-drug control effective 1 September 2010. That is now historical rather than the current designation. Since the July 2025 catalogue reorganization, it is expressly listed as item 268 of the Non-medical Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Catalogue; the list no longer assigns it Category I or II. The current listing covers possible salts, stereoisomers, and salts of stereoisomers, but the catalogue's additional ester-and-ether rule applies only to items 305-396 and does not apply to item 268. Article 4 prohibits any entity or individual from producing, buying or selling, transporting, using, storing, importing, or exporting the substance. Scientific or experimental use, reference standards used in drug or medical-device production/testing, and certain manufacturing intermediates are handled under separate applicable rules. The July 2026 addition of 16 substances left item 268 unchanged.
DenmarkIllegalBekendtgørelse om euforiserende stoffer41
Banned by the Minister for Health and Prevention on December 18, 2008. Denmark also implemented an analogue law effective July 1, 2012 that covers cathinone derivatives including mephedrone.
FinlandIllegalValtioneuvoston asetus huumausaineina pidettävistä aineista, valmisteista ja kasveista (543/2008), liite I; Huumausainelaki (373/2008), 5 §4445
Mephedrone is expressly listed as "Mefedroni (4-MMC) (4-metyylimetkatinoni)" in List I of Finland’s current decree on substances, preparations, and plants considered narcotic drugs. Under section 5 of the Narcotics Act, production, manufacture, import, export, transport, distribution, trade, handling, possession, and use are prohibited except as authorised by law.
GermanyIllegalBetäubungsmittelgesetz, Anlage I46
Controlled under Anlage I of the Betäubungsmittelgesetz (Narcotics Act, Schedule I) as of January 22, 2010. Illegal to manufacture, possess, import, export, buy, sell, procure, or dispense without a license.
GuernseyIllegal
Mephedrone has been a Class B controlled drug in Guernsey since 16 April 2010 and is listed in Schedule 1. Importing, exporting, producing, supplying, offering to supply, possessing it, or possessing it with intent to supply is prohibited. These restrictions are subject to licences, authorisations, and other statutory exceptions.
HungaryIllegal78/2022. (XII. 28.) BM rendelet az ellenőrzött anyagokról47
Classified as a List 1 controlled substance as of January 1, 2011.
IndiaIllegalNarcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, Schedule14
Added to the list of controlled psychotropic substances, reportedly in 2014 or early 2015.
IndonesiaIllegalMinister of Health Regulation No. 15 of 2025 (Permenkes No. 15 Tahun 2025) on Changes to Narcotics Classification, Appendix A, List of Group I Narcotics, item 756667
Mephedrone (4-MMC) is item 75 in List A of Group I Narcotics in the appendix to Minister of Health Regulation No. 15 of 2025. Effective 28 November 2025, the regulation limits Group I narcotics to scientific development, excludes their use in health services, and identifies them as having a very high potential for dependence.
IrelandIllegalMisuse of Drugs Regulations 2017, S.I. No. 173/2017, Schedule 148
Controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 as of May 11, 2010.
Isle of ManIllegal
Misuse of Drugs Act 1976 (AT 21 of 1976), section 2, read with Part II of Schedule 2 to the UK Misuse of Drugs Act 1971757677
Mephedrone is prohibited as a Class B drug in the Isle of Man under section 2 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1976, which adopts the corresponding classification in Part II of Schedule 2 to the UK Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The current generic cathinone provision covers mephedrone, and the classification applies from 16 April 2010. Subject to statutory regulations, licences and other lawful-authority exceptions, controls apply to import, export, production, supply, offering to supply, possession and possession with intent to supply.
ItalyIllegalDecreto 16 giugno 201015
Listed in Tabella I of the controlled substances tables, making it illegal to possess, purchase, or sell.
JapanIllegalCabinet Order Designating Narcotics, Narcotic Raw Materials Plants, Psychotropics and Narcotic/Psychotropic Raw Materials, item 129, under the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act1617
Japan’s Cabinet Order designates 2-(methylamino)-1-(4-methylphenyl)propan-1-one (mephedrone) and its salts as a narcotic in item 129. Under the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act, unauthorised import, export, manufacture, preparation, division, transfer, receipt, and possession of narcotics other than diacetylmorphine are criminal offences.
JerseyIllegal
Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978, Articles 3-5 and 8 and Schedule 2 Part 2 paragraph 1(h), as inserted by the Misuse of Drugs (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Jersey) Order 2010, Article 12223
Mephedrone is a Class B controlled drug in Jersey under the generic cathinone definition in Schedule 2 Part 2 paragraph 1(h) of the Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978. The law controls import, export, production, supply, possession, and possession with intent to supply, subject to statutory exemptions, licensing provisions, orders, and defences. The generic structural definition applies from 17 September 2010 under the Misuse of Drugs (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Jersey) Order 2010.
LithuaniaIllegalLietuvos Respublikos sveikatos apsaugos ministro 2000 m. sausio 6 d. įsakymas Nr. 5, I sąrašas, 1971 m. Psichotropinių medžiagų konvencijos I sąrašas, 94 punktas, as inserted by Order No. V-540 and currently consolidated from 18 June 2025686970717273
Lithuania's Health Minister added the exact Mefedronas (Mephedrone, 4-methylmethcathinone) entry to List I by Order No. V-540, effective 20 June 2010. The current official consolidation of Order No. 5, operative from 18 June 2025 onward, retains it at point 94 of the 1971 Convention Schedule I subsection. The amendment underlying that consolidation, Order No. V-571, did not alter point 94. Under current Article 8 of the Control of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances Law, lawful circulation of List I substances is prohibited except for expressly enumerated registered-medicine, research, law-enforcement and reference-material circumstances.
MexicoIllegalLey General de Salud, artículo 24524
Classified as a Schedule I controlled substance as of January 7, 2014.
NetherlandsIllegalMephedrone (mefedron; 4-MMC) is expressly listed in List I of the Dutch Opium Act. Article 2 prohibits unauthorised import, export, preparation, processing, sale, supply, transport, possession, and manufacture; statutory exemptions and dispensations are limited to authorised circumstances.
NorwayIllegalForskrift om narkotika, FOR-2013-02-14-19925
Controlled under the Derivatbestemmelsen, an analogue act-type law that covers mephedrone alongside other substances.
PolandIllegalRozporządzenie Ministra Zdrowia z dnia 17 sierpnia 2018 r. w sprawie wykazu substancji psychotropowych, środków odurzających oraz nowych substancji psychoaktywnych, consolidated text Dz.U. 2024 poz. 1139262728
Mephedrone is listed as MEFEDRON (4-metylometkatynon) in Group II-P of Poland’s current controlled-psychotropic-substances schedule. The former I-P designation is no longer current, and unauthorised handling is subject to Poland’s controlled-substances regime.
PortugalIllegalDecreto-Lei n.º 15/93, de 22 de janeiro, Tabela II-A, as amended by Lei n.º 13/2012, de 26 de março596061
Portugal expressly controls mephedrone as 4-metilmetcatinona (mefedrona) in Tabela II-A to Decreto-Lei n.º 15/93. Lei n.º 13/2012 added it to Tabela II-A, rather than Tabela II-C, effective 27 March 2012. The decree-law applies the controlled-substances regime to the listed substance, and unauthorised trafficking and other handling remain subject to criminal controls.
RomaniaIllegalLegea nr. 143/2000 privind prevenirea şi combaterea traficului şi consumului ilicit de droguri, republicată, Article 1(c), Articles 2-4 and Table I; O.U.G. nr. 6/2010, Article I point 2; conduct provisions as amended by Legea nr. 45/2023 and Legea nr. 58/2024; schedules subsequently supplemented through Legea nr. 30/20254950
Mephedrone is expressly listed by chemical identity in Table I of Romania's Law No. 143/2000, so its control is exact rather than analogue- or generic-rule based. Emergency Ordinance No. 6/2010 inserted the listing effective 15 February 2010. Article 1(c) designates Table I and II substances as high-risk drugs. Unauthorized trafficking and circulation operations, cross-border/import-export activity, and purchase or possession for personal consumption are criminalized under Articles 2-4. Later official schedule acts through Law No. 30/2025 only add substances and do not remove or transfer mephedrone.
RussiaIllegalGovernment Resolution No. 681 of 30 June 1998, List I29
Mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone) is listed in List I of Government Resolution No. 681, Russia’s controlled-substances schedule. List I covers narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances whose circulation is prohibited in the Russian Federation.
SingaporeIllegalMisuse of Drugs Act 1973, First Schedule, Part 174
Mephedrone is a Class A controlled drug under Part 1 of the First Schedule to Singapore’s Misuse of Drugs Act 1973. Unauthorised handling is subject to the Act’s controlled-drug offences.
Slovak RepublicIllegalAct No. 139/1998 Z.z. on narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and preparations88
Controlled as of March 1, 2011.
South KoreaIllegal (analog/blanket ban)Attached Table 3, item 22 of the Enforcement Decree classifies methcathinone and its analogues as psychotropic drugs under Article 2(3)(a) of the Narcotics Control Act. Its structural definition covers compounds with a methcathinone core and a substituted phenyl group bearing, among permitted substituents, an alkyl group. 4-methylmethcathinone (mephedrone) falls within that analogue definition.
SpainIllegalOrden SPI/201/2011, de 3 de febrero18
Classified as a Schedule I controlled substance as of February 10, 2011.
SwedenIllegalMephedrone is listed in Förteckning I of Sweden’s narcotics schedules. Förteckning I covers substances that normally have no medical use. The schedule is maintained under the Ordinance (1992:1554) on control of narcotics.
SwitzerlandIllegalVerordnung des EDI über die Verzeichnisse der Betäubungsmittel, psychotropen Stoffe, Vorläuferstoffe und Hilfschemikalien (BetmVV-EDI)82
Mephedrone is listed in Verzeichnis d of the Federal Department of Home Affairs ordinance on narcotics, psychotropic substances, precursors, and auxiliary chemicals. The list covers substances subject to Switzerland’s strictest narcotics controls. Unauthorised manufacture, possession, trade, import, export, and supply are prohibited except under limited statutory authorisations.
ThailandIllegalNotification of the Ministry of Public Health Re: Specifying Category 1 Narcotics, B.E. 2565 (2022)6263
Mephedrone is a Category I narcotic under the Ministry of Public Health notification, and Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration continues to list it in that category. Category I narcotics are subject to the Narcotics Code’s prohibitions and may be handled only under limited statutory authority.
TurkeyIllegalCouncil of Ministers Decision No. 2012/2861 on Subjecting Certain Substances to Law No. 2313 on the Control of Narcotic Drugs323334
Mephedrone is item 4 of the list annexed to Council of Ministers Decision No. 2012/2861, which subjects it to Law No. 2313 on the Control of Narcotic Drugs. The decision has applied since its publication in Official Gazette No. 28241 on 22 March 2012. Unauthorised manufacture, import, export, sale, transfer, transport, storage, and possession of narcotic or stimulant substances are criminal offences under Articles 188 and 191 of the Turkish Penal Code.
United Arab EmiratesIllegalFederal Decree-Law No. 30 of 2021 on Combating Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, Schedule 58990
Mephedrone is listed under its chemical name, (RS)-2-methylamino-1-(4-methylphenyl)propan-1-one, in the cathinones section of Schedule 5 to the United Arab Emirates’ Federal Decree-Law No. 30 of 2021. Article 10 prohibits the import, export, transfer, production, manufacture, bringing into the country, possession, or acquisition of Schedule 5 substances, subject to authorised medical and scientific exceptions.
United KingdomIllegalMisuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2010, S.I. 2010/120787
Controlled as a Class B drug as of April 16, 2010 through the cathinone catch-all clause under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Controlled / restricted3
BelgiumRestricted
ColombiaRestrictedResolution No. 000116 of 2026 replaces the technical annexes adopted by Resolution 315 of 2020 and lists mephedrone (MEFEDRONA), (RS)-2-metilamino-1-(4-metilfenil)propan-1-ona, in Lista Verde, Lista II. This listing places it under the fiscalización regime for specially controlled substances. The rules regulate import, export, processing, manufacture, distribution, dispensing, purchase, sale, destruction, and use rather than imposing an absolute prohibition.
Czech RepublicRestrictedGovernment Regulation No. 463/2013 Coll., on lists of addictive substances, Appendix No. 4 (List No. 4 of psychotropic substances), read with Act No. 167/1998 Coll. §§ 3(2) and 48586
Mephedrone is expressly listed in Appendix No. 4, List No. 4 of the Czech Government Regulation on lists of addictive substances. Act No. 167/1998 Coll. limits substances in Appendices 3 and 4 to the limited research, scientific, and very limited therapeutic purposes specified in an authorisation to handle addictive substances; other handling requires authorisation. Its handling is restricted rather than absolutely prohibited.
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