spec sheet10 rows
MDPV (3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone) is a pyrrolidinophenone synthetic cathinone that was a defining constituent of early "bath salts" products. Unlike substrate-type cathinones such as mephedrone, MDPV acts as a pure uptake blocker at the dopamine and norepinephrine transporters, inhibiting dopamine transport with nanomolar potency and near-nanomolar catecholamine selectivity while sparing the serotonin transporter; in vivo it is roughly ten times more potent than cocaine at producing locomotor activation, tachycardia, and hypertension. Structural studies attribute this exceptional potency and transporter selectivity to interactions with specific non-conserved residues at the dopamine transporter binding site, and MDPV produces stronger and more persistent dopamine-transporter upregulation than cocaine. Its robust and rapid stimulation of dopaminergic transmission underlies both marked reinforcing effects and the compulsive use and adverse psychiatric reactions reported in humans.
- Very intense stimulation and euphoria
- Strong wakefulness and focus
- Appetite suppression
- Dopamine transporter blocker roughly ten times more potent than cocaine
- Severe compulsive redosing
- Paranoia, hallucinations, and psychosis
- Hyperthermia and muscle breakdown
- Cardiovascular strain and seizures
Mechanism
MDPV is a very potent blocker of the and transporters (the proteins that recycle these neurotransmitters), with an especially tight grip on the . Unlike some cathinones it acts as a pure rather than a releaser, but its extreme dopamine-transporter potency produces powerful, sustained stimulation. This is thought to explain both its strong euphoria and its heavy compulsive pull.
receptor fingerprint
()Reuptake inhibitor
transporter (NET)Reuptake inhibitor
Safetyrisks and cautions, not medical advice
MDPV is notorious for driving relentless redosing, sleepless binges, severe paranoia, hallucinations, and stimulant psychosis, sometimes with agitated or violent behavior. Physically it can cause dangerous hyperthermia (overheating), racing heart, high blood pressure, seizures, and muscle breakdown that damages the kidneys. Combining it with other stimulants, MAOIs, or serotonergic drugs sharply raises the danger. Not medical advice.
Subjective profileweighing the evidence above
Nothing here to recommend. Roughly ten times cocaine's potency at the dopamine transporter, which in practice means sleepless binges, compulsive redosing, paranoia and psychosis, alongside dangerous overheating, seizures and muscle breakdown that damages the kidneys.
Resources
This entry is here for reference.
Research
- 2012first citedThe toxicology of bath salts: a review of synthetic cathinones.
- 2024most recentDopamine Concentration Changes Associated with the Retrodialysis of Methylone and 3,4-Methylene…
- 1.Powerful cocaine-like actions of 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), a principal constituent of psychoactive 'bath salts' products.
- 2.The toxicology of bath salts: a review of synthetic cathinones.
- 3.Structure-Activity Relationships of Substituted Cathinones, with Transporter Binding, Uptake, and Release.
- 4.Non-conserved residues dictate dopamine transporter selectivity for the potent synthetic cathinone and psychostimulant MDPV.
- 5.Effects of MDPV on dopamine transporter regulation in male rats. Comparison with cocaine.
- 6.Functional connectivity, behavioral and dopaminergic alterations 24 hours following acute exposure to synthetic bath salt drug methylenedioxypyrovalerone.
- 7.Reinforcing effects of synthetic cathinones in rhesus monkeys: Dose-response and behavioral economic analyses.
- 8.Dopamine Concentration Changes Associated with the Retrodialysis of Methylone and 3,4-Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) into the Caudate Putamen.
8 listed here; entry last updated August 2026
Reviews
My notesprivate to this device
FAQ
Why is MDPV so potent?
It is an exceptionally strong dopamine reuptake blocker, more potent at the dopamine transporter than cocaine, which drives its intense and compulsive effects.
Is it the same as "bath salts"?
MDPV was one of the main compounds behind the early "bath salts" scare, though that label has covered many different cathinones.
What makes it especially compulsive?
Its potent, short-lived dopamine action leads people to redose again and again, often into dangerous sleepless binges.
Adverse effects
- Severe compulsive redosing
- Paranoia, hallucinations, and psychosis
- Hyperthermia and muscle breakdown
- Cardiovascular strain and seizures