What are the effects of Methcathinone

Methcathinone is a drug substance, which is pharmacologically active compound contains a chemical structure very similar to that of the psychomotor stimulants.

Physiological effects of ecstasy

Methamphetamine and cathinone, it may be considered an analogue of these two stimulants. Cathinone is the primary active ingredient in the Khat plant. The leaves (containing cathinone and cathine) of the Khat plant are chewed for their euphoric and stimulant effects. Cathinone is currently in Schedule I of the 1971 Convention of Psychotropic Substances. On February 4th, 1993 in order to meet the obligations of the Psychotropic Convention, cathinone was permanently place on Schedule I of the FCSA. As of October 15th 1993 methcathinone was permanently placed in Schedule I of the FCSA. Cathinone is not available for medical use in the United States.

Other names for methcathinone include methylcathinone, L-enantriomenc, ephedrone, monomethylpropion, N-monomethylcathinone, a-N-methylaminopropiophenone, 2-(methylamino)-propiophenone, a-(methylamino)-propiophenone, a-N-methylaminopropiophenone, 2-(methylamino)-1-phenylpropan-1-one, AL-464, UR1431 and UR (W) 1431. Ephedrone is the primary name used to indicate methcathinone in the scientific and medical community in Russia where ephedrone abuse has been and still is a big problem.

The actual effects of methcathinone in humans have only been reported to a limited extent in the scientific or medical literature. Anecdotal reports from the street indicate that methcathinone produces central nervous system stimulant effects similar to those produced by amphetamine, methamphetamine, and cocaine. Desirable effects have been reported from the use of methcathinone include a speeding mind, increase feeling of invincibility, and euphoria. Undesirable effects reported by people using methcathinone in binges primarily include paranoia, hallucinations, nervousness, insomnia, stomach pain, sweating, dehydration, anorexia, increased blood pressure, and pounding of the heart. The duration of the high is several hours and will depend somewhat upon the dose given.

Doctors working in the emergency rooms of a number of hospitals have been warned about the possible toxic effects of methcathinone. As of December 1993, U.S. scientific literature has described four emergency room cases of methcathinone. Also, at least one report in the scientific literature has briefly mentioned that ephedrone has caused deaths in the Soviet Union. No documentation for these claims was provided by the authors.

A very limited number of studies in laboratory animals indicate that methcathinone produces psychomotor stimulant-like effects similar to those produced by amphetamine, methamphetamine, cathinone, and cocaine.

Methcathinone is sold on the street in the hydrochloride salt form under the street names of "cat," "crank," "goob", and "speed." It is sold as a white to off-white powdered material, similar to cocaine. Till date, L-enantriomeric form of methcathinone has been available on the street.