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Mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone, 4-MMC) is a ring-methylated synthetic cathinone that became one of the most widely used new psychoactive substances. It acts as a substrate-type releaser at the dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin transporters, evoking carrier-mediated efflux of all three monoamines; distinctively, it behaves as a full releaser at the serotonin transporter but only a partial releaser at the dopamine transporter, giving it a hybrid stimulant and entactogen, MDMA-like character. Controlled human studies confirm rapid-onset euphoria and sympathomimetic effects with a notably short duration tied to its brief elimination half-life, a profile linked to compulsive redosing and high abuse liability. Several of its phase I metabolites retain activity at monoamine transporters, and its stereochemistry and 4-methyl substitution shape the balance between serotonergic and dopaminergic action.
- Stimulation with entactogenic warmth
- Euphoria and sociability
- Increased empathy and talkativeness
- Full serotonin release, partial dopamine release
- Strong compulsion to redose
- Cardiovascular strain and palpitations
- Jaw clenching and sweating
- Comedown anxiety and low mood
Mechanism
Mephedrone acts as a non-selective monoamine releasing agent, driving out , , and through their transporters (and inhibiting their reuptake); the added serotonin component gives it the entactogenic, empathic quality that plain stimulant cathinones lack. It is rapidly metabolized, which contributes to the short duration and the strong pull to redose.
receptor fingerprint
Releaser
transporterReleaser
transporterReleaser
Safetyrisks and cautions, not medical advice
It causes marked cardiovascular strain (fast heart rate, high blood pressure, palpitations), sweating, jaw clenching, and often intense cravings to redose that can drive long binges and sleep loss. Because it releases serotonin it carries serotonin-toxicity risk and should not be combined with MAOIs or other serotonergic drugs. Combining with other stimulants raises the chance of overheating and cardiac problems. Not medical advice.
Subjective profileweighing the evidence above
The short duration and strong pull to redose are the whole problem; binges, sleep loss and hours of cardiovascular strain follow from the pharmacology rather than from misuse. Its serotonin release also makes MAOIs and other serotonergic drugs dangerous. There is no casual way to use it.
Resources
No suppliers are provided for compounds like this. This entry is here for reference.
Research
- 2012first citedEffect of ambient temperature on the thermoregulatory and locomotor stimulant effects of 4-meth…
- 2018most active year3 papers
- 2023most recentMephedrone induces partial release at human dopamine transporters but full release at human ser…
- 1.Neurotoxicity Induced by Mephedrone: An up-to-date Review.
- 2.Pharmacological characterization of designer cathinones in vitro.
- 3.Mephedrone induces partial release at human dopamine transporters but full release at human serotonin transporters.
- 4.Human Pharmacology of Mephedrone in Comparison with MDMA.
- 5.Acute Pharmacological Effects of Oral and Intranasal Mephedrone: An Observational Study in Humans.
- 6.Pharmacological profile of mephedrone analogs and related new psychoactive substances.
- 7.Stereochemistry of phase-1 metabolites of mephedrone determines their effectiveness as releasers at the serotonin transporter.
- 8.Effects of Hydroxylated Mephedrone Metabolites on Monoamine Transporter Activity in vitro.
- 9.DARK Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Cathinone-Derived Psychostimulants.
- 10.Effect of ambient temperature on the thermoregulatory and locomotor stimulant effects of 4-methylmethcathinone in Wistar and Sprague-Dawley rats.
- 11.Substituted methcathinones differ in transporter and receptor interactions.
- 12.3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, mephedrone, and β-phenylethylamine release dopamine from the cytoplasm by means of transporters and keep the concentration high and constant by blocking reuptake.
13 listed here; entry last updated August 2026
Reviews
My notesprivate to this device
FAQ
Is mephedrone like MDMA or like speed?
It sits between the two: it releases serotonin like MDMA but is shorter and more stimulant-like, with a strong urge to redose.
Why do people binge on it?
The effect is short and enjoyable, and the drop-off triggers powerful cravings that make redosing hard to resist.
What combinations are dangerous?
Because it releases serotonin, mixing it with MAOIs or other serotonergic drugs risks serotonin toxicity, and stacking stimulants strains the heart.
Adverse effects
- Strong compulsion to redose
- Cardiovascular strain and palpitations
- Jaw clenching and sweating
- Comedown anxiety and low mood