spec sheet10 rows
Methylone (3,4-methylenedioxymethcathinone, bk-MDMA) is the beta-keto analog of MDMA and a synthetic cathinone once sold in "bath salts" and frequently misrepresented as MDMA. It acts as a substrate-type releaser and reuptake inhibitor at the dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin transporters, with relatively balanced but norepinephrine-favoring activity, yielding entactogenic and stimulant effects that are generally shorter, more stimulating, and less deeply empathic than those of MDMA. Human and animal pharmacokinetic studies show good oral bioavailability, ready central nervous system entry, and CYP2D6-dependent metabolism to demethylenated and demethylated products, several of which remain pharmacologically active at monoamine systems. Its use has been associated with sympathomimetic toxicity, and closely related cathinones have been implicated in fatal intoxications.
- MDMA-like warmth and empathy
- Stimulation and sociability
- Euphoria
- Triple monoamine releaser; bk-MDMA entactogen
- Overheating and dehydration risk
- Serotonin toxicity risk
- Cardiovascular strain and jaw clenching
Mechanism
Methylone works as a monoamine releasing agent and at the , , and transporters; compared with MDMA it is relatively less potent at serotonin release, which is why it tends to feel more stimulant and less profoundly entactogenic. The methylenedioxy ring it shares with MDMA gives it the empathic character, while the beta-keto group shortens and shifts the effect.
receptor fingerprint
transporterReleaser
transporterReleaser
Releaser
Safetyrisks and cautions, not medical advice
As a serotonin-releasing entactogen it carries the same core risks as MDMA: overheating (hyperthermia), dehydration or overhydration, jaw clenching, and serotonin toxicity, especially when combined with MAOIs or other serotonergic drugs. Its shorter duration invites redosing, which increases cardiovascular strain and neurotoxic risk. It is dangerous to stack with other stimulants. Not medical advice.
Subjective profileweighing the evidence above
Not the MDMA it was long sold as, and worse company than that comparison suggests; the same overheating and serotonin toxicity risks, more stimulant load on the heart, and a short duration that pulls people into redosing. There is no version of this that beats the drug it imitates.
Resources
No suppliers are provided for compounds like this. This entry is here for reference.
Research
- 2011first citedClinical toxicology of newer recreational drugs.
- 2024most recentThe pharmacology and neurotoxicology of synthetic cathinones.
- 1.The pharmacology and neurotoxicology of synthetic cathinones.
- 2.Serotonergic impairment and memory deficits in adolescent rats after binge exposure of methylone.
- 3.Substituted methcathinones differ in transporter and receptor interactions.
- 4.Structure-Activity Relationships of Substituted Cathinones, with Transporter Binding, Uptake, and Release.
- 5.An integrated pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic study of a new drug of abuse, methylone, a synthetic cathinone sold as "bath salts".
- 6.Metabolites of the ring-substituted stimulants MDMA, methylone and MDPV differentially affect human monoaminergic systems.
- 7.Sweat Testing for the Detection of Methylone after Controlled Administrations in Humans.
- 8.Enantioselectivity on the absorption of methylone and pentedrone using Caco-2 cell line: Development and validation of an UHPLC method for cathinones quantification.
- 9.A review of the influence of functional group modifications to the core scaffold of synthetic cathinones on drug pharmacokinetics.
- 10.The pharmacokinetic profile of synthetic cathinones in a pregnancy model.
- 11.Synthetic Cathinones and Their Potential Interactions with Prescription Drugs.
- 12.Clinical toxicology of newer recreational drugs.
12 listed here; entry last updated August 2026
Reviews
My notesprivate to this device
FAQ
Is methylone the same as MDMA?
No, it is the beta-keto analog and feels shorter, more stimulant, and less deeply empathic, though it has been mis-sold as MDMA.
Does it carry MDMA's heat risk?
Yes, as a serotonin releaser it can cause dangerous overheating and serotonin toxicity, especially with other serotonergic drugs.
Why do people redose it?
Its effect is shorter than MDMA, so the fade tempts redosing, which raises cardiovascular and neurotoxic risk.
Adverse effects
- Overheating and dehydration risk
- Serotonin toxicity risk
- Cardiovascular strain and jaw clenching
Notes and cautions
- Redosing due to short duration