Mephedrone, formally known as 4-methylmethcathinone, is a powerful synthetic stimulant that gained notoriety as a designer drug. Its effects are often compared to a combination of cocaine and MDMA. The drug is widely recognized by street names such as “Meow Meow,” “M-CAT,” “drone,” and “bubbles,” and is typically sold as a white or off-white powder or in crystal form.
Chemical Identity and Classification
Mephedrone belongs to the class of compounds known as synthetic cathinones, often grouped under the umbrella term “bath salts.” Chemically, it is a beta-keto phenethylamine, similar in structure to the naturally occurring stimulant cathinone found in the khat plant. It is differentiated from methcathinone by a methyl group addition on the phenyl ring, which results in its formal name, 4-methylmethcathinone.
The substance is classified as a Novel Psychoactive Substance (NPS) because it was engineered to mimic the effects of established illicit drugs while initially bypassing existing drug control laws. For a period, it was openly marketed as a “research chemical” or “plant food” via the internet and in headshops. This initial status as a “legal high” contributed to its rapid spread and popularity.
Immediate Effects and Typical Consumption
Mephedrone acts primarily on the central nervous system by interacting with monoamine transporters for dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. It functions as a triple releasing agent and reuptake inhibitor, causing a rapid increase in the concentration of these neurotransmitters. This surge in brain chemistry produces effects including intense euphoria, increased alertness, talkativeness, and enhanced sociability.
The effects are experienced quickly, typically within 15 to 45 minutes of administration. Common methods of consumption involve oral ingestion (often in a wrapped paper, or “bombing”) or insufflation (snorting) of the powder. Users often report side effects such as a high heart rate (tachycardia), excessive sweating, dilated pupils, and involuntary jaw clenching (bruxism). Paranoia and agitation are also frequently reported psychological effects during intoxication.
Acute Dangers and Toxicity
The intense stimulation mephedrone causes can lead to several immediate health risks. One serious physical danger is hyperthermia, a dangerously elevated body temperature. This effect is pronounced with high doses, repeated use, or when the drug is taken in warm environments. Severe hyperthermia can lead to organ damage and neurotoxicity.
Mephedrone’s strong effect on norepinephrine and the cardiovascular system can trigger acute cardiac issues. These include severe hypertension, heart rhythm abnormalities (arrhythmias), chest pain, and inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis). The combination of increased heart rate and blood pressure places users at risk for sudden cardiac events. The drug’s potent serotonergic activity can also precipitate Serotonin Syndrome, a life-threatening condition characterized by neuromuscular abnormalities and altered mental status.
The acute psychological effects can manifest as severe agitation, panic attacks, delusions, and acute psychosis. Dangers are compounded by the drug’s inconsistent purity when sold illicitly and by the practice of poly-drug use. Fatalities have been reported where mephedrone was the sole cause of death or a significant contributing factor.
Global Regulatory Status
Mephedrone began as an unregulated chemical, but as reports of its acute dangers escalated, governments implemented emergency bans. The United Kingdom, where use was prevalent, classified it as a Class B drug in 2010. In the United States, mephedrone was permanently classified as a Schedule I controlled substance in 2012 as part of a broader effort to control synthetic cathinones. Internationally, the substance was placed under global control in 2015 after the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs adopted a regulation proposal. Despite these widespread controls, the drug continues to be available on the illicit market.