METHYLONE

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Created Oct 2019 | Updated Dec 2020

METHYLONE

  • [EXPLOSION]
  • [EASE]
  • [MDMC]
  • [beta-K-MDMA]
  • [M1]

(3,4-METHYLENEDIOXY-N-METHYLCATHINONE), (POSITIONAL ISOMER: -2,3-METHYLENEDIOXYMETHCATHINONE (2,3-MDMC1-(BENZO[D][1,3]DIOXOL-4-YL)-2-(METHYLAMINO)PROPAN-1-ONE))

DEA CODE 7540: Schedule 1

Methylone (3, 4-Methylenedioxy-N-methylcathinone), a B-keto analog of 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA) is a stimulant and psychoactive drug. Methylone is a popular drug of abuse that strongly increases the release of the three monoamines: dopamine, serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine. In addition, methylone inhibits plasma membrane catecholamine transporters but only weakly inhibit the vesicle transporter. In April 2013, methylone was listed in the Schedule 1 substance under the Controlled Substances Act.

Methylone is sometimes used as a substitute for MDMA due to similarities in their effects. Alexander Shulgin commented that the substances has "almost the same potency of MDMA, but it does not produce the same effects." He also stated that it "has an almost antidepressant action, pleasant and positive, but not the unique magic of MDMA." The toxicity of methylone has not been well-studied, although it likely does not exceed that of MDMA, and it has a limited history of human usage.

Similar to Ecstasy:
The designer drug 3, 4-methylenedioxymethcathinone, commonly known as methylone, is often found in the substances labeled as "bath salts." The chemical composition of methylone is very similar to the structure of MDMA (3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), and methylone is sometimes sold as Molly, suggesting that dealers are trying to pass it off as a substitute for ecstasy or similar drugs. Other street names for methylone include bubbles, explosion, MDMCAT, and ease. A number of research reports suggest that methylone use produces effects similar to MDMA and amphetamine. While the drug is a Schedule I controlled substance, it appears that its effects are not as well known as its use is not as extensive as similar drugs, even though the drug has been on the market for decades; it was originally developed in 1996 as a potential treatment for depression. Anecdotal evidence online from individuals claiming to have used the substance suggests that its effects can be somewhat varied and that its use is associated with a significant "crash" once the individual has stopped using the drug and its effects have begun to wear off.

Street Names:
Meph, MC, MCAT, M-Cat, 4-MMC, Miaow, Meow Meow, Bubbles, Bounce, Charge, Drone, White Magic, Marzipan, Methylone

Effects:
Often described as a mix between Amphetamines, Ecstasy and Cocaine. Users feel alert, confident, euphoric and talkative, and some feel greater empathy with those around them. The effects last about an hour, but this can vary.

Drug form and method of use:
A fine white, off-white or yellowish powder - usually snorted like Cocaine or swallowed 'bombed' in wraps of paper. Can be smoked and in rare cases is injected. Also comes in capsules and pills.

History:
The drug methylone first made an appearance in 2004 under the name 'Explosion' in a number of smart shops in the Netherlands. The product was advertised as a 'room odorizer' containing 5ml of the liquid drug. When the new product was first introduced, there was much confusion over what each bottle contained. It was not until January 2005 that the contents of 'explosion' was analysed. In March 2005 there was only one manufacturer and therefore this one sample analysis came to represent all 'Explosion' bottles, despite any further quantitative and confirmative data. The new drug gained a great amount of popularity after the Dutch radio presenter Giel Beelen took the drug during a live show.

Methylone
Duration:

bk-MDMA is a cathinone stimulant and empathogen, similar in structure to MDMA, though more stimulating and less empathogenic in comparison. Was very commonly mis-sold as MDMA on the street until it was banned in 2013. The Marquis reagent can differentiate bk-MDMA from MDMA. Less potent than MDMA with a slightly shorter duration.

RouteOnsetDurationAfter Effects
Tripsit Factsheets
All ROAs:15-60 minutes2-4 hours6-24 hours
Methylone Duration
Marquis:
Yellow


World Health Organization 2014:
Methylone ((3,4-methylenedioxy)methcathinone) is a synthetic cathinone. It is the beta-keto version of 3,4-methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (mdma). It was originally developed as a therapeutic for Parkinson's disease or depression by Shulgin. Use of methylone was first reported around 2005. Use/abuse has been reported from Japan, the USA and Europe. The effects and the mode of use reported have similarities with mdma, but its potency is less.

Reported toxic effects of methylone include tachycardia, hypertension, paranoia, anxiety, bruxism and muscle tension and aching. Some of these effects leeding to hospital admissions. A number of analytically confirmed drug-related deaths have been reported.

Animal studies have indicated that methylone possesses an abuse or dependence potential but there are no human clinical data to support this.

WHO PDF Methylone

Caymanchem PDF Methylone

SWGDRUG PDF Methylone

"Methylone" is also a trademarked brand name for an injectable form of methylprednisolone, a corticosteroid hormone used to treat arthritis and severe allergic reactions; hence, methylone may be confused with it. Aside from context, they can be distinguished by the fact that the name will usually be capitalized when referring to the prescription drug. A proposed alternate name is Bk-MDMA, or beta-keto-MDMA. While this nomenclature has not caught on because the name "methylone" became widely used before the conflicting Methylone trademark was noticed, the analogous names for related chemicals βk-MDEA and βk-MBDB have become the established names for those substances.


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