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ETH-CAT Facts

Stimulant; Substituted cathinone; Norepinephrine releasing agent

Description

ETH-CAT (N-ethylcathinone) is a synthetic stimulant of the cathinone class. It floods the brain with norepinephrine — the body's arousal chemical — while only weakly engaging the dopamine reward system.[1]

Subjective effects include stimulation, wakefulness, appetite suppression, mild mood lift, and restless physical energy. The experience is energizing rather than euphoric — a noradrenergic push that delivers alertness more than pleasure, lighter on reward than more potent cathinones.[2]

Physical dependence has not been established, but compulsive redosing is common; the primary acute danger is cardiovascular — norepinephrine raises heart rate and blood pressure in proportion to dose.[1] Risk is greatest when combined with other substances, especially those that also act on serotonin or the cardiovascular system.[3]

Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies

Oral(mg)
Threshold< 60 mgLight100 – 150 mgCommon150 – 225 mgStrong225 – 325 mgHeavy325+ mg

Starts in 15 – 40 minLasts 3 – 5 hoursAfter-effects 1 – 4 hours

Body and dependence

Acute toxicity
Low
Chronic toxicity
Low
Physical dependence
Negligible
Psychological dependence
Low
Withdrawal
Mild
Compulsive redosing
Moderate

Tolerance

Builds
Moderate
Fully resets after
4 days
Carries over to
dopamine; stimulant

Effectslikely at a common dose

Perception
none likely · 4 possible
Body
Stimulation; Appetite suppression; Wakefulness; Pupil dilation; +20 possible, including Insomnia, Vasoconstriction, Dehydration sensation
Thinking
none likely · 19 possible, including Compulsive redosing urge, Decision impairment, Cognitive dysphoria
Feeling
Euphoria; +6 possible, including Anxiety, Depression, Anhedonia
Self
none likely · 7 possible, including Craving, Ego inflation
Time
none likely · 1 possible
Awareness
none likely · 1 possible

Who shouldn't take it

Absolute
Cardiovascular disease / hypertension; Seizure disorder; Pregnancy; Concurrent MAOI use
Relative
Psychiatric history (psychosis, mania, severe anxiety); Hepatic impairment; Concurrent serotonergic drug use

Combinations61 recorded

Lethal (2)
MAOIs; Tramadol
Dangerous (29)
Anticholinergics; Caffeine; Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine; Local anesthetics; MDMA, Amphetamines; MDMA, MDA; NDRIs (Wellbutrin); NRIs; Stimulants; 5-HTP, Tryptophan; Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist; Antipsychotics; Clonidine, Guanfacine; Dopamine agonists; GHB, Baclofen; GHB, GBL; Ibogaine; Ketamine, DXM, PCP; Lithium; NSAIDs; Opioids; Poppers (Alkyl nitrites); Poppers, Nitrates; Psychedelics; and 5 more, see full page
Caution (27)
See full page: psychedex.org/substances/eth-cat
Not graded (3)
Not listed never means safe.

Seek help immediately if

  • Chest pain; racing, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
  • Very high body temperature; heavy sweating; hot, flushed skin
  • Severe agitation, paranoia, panic, or confusion
  • Severe headache; muscle rigidity or twitching
  • Seizures
  • Signs of stroke — face drooping, one-sided weakness, slurred speech
  • Difficulty breathing; collapse or unconsciousness

What to do

  1. Call emergency services for chest pain, overheating, seizure, or unresponsiveness
  2. Move them to a cool, quiet place and reduce stimulation
  3. Cool the body — remove excess clothing, apply cool damp cloths, fan them
  4. Keep them calm; reassure — panic worsens the cardiovascular strain
  5. If seizing, protect from injury (don't restrain); recovery position afterward
  6. Monitor breathing and be ready to give rescue breaths / CPR

Most stimulant overdoses settle with cooling, a calm environment, and time. The medical danger is hyperthermia, cardiac events (arrhythmia, heart attack, stroke), and seizures — get help immediately if any appear.

988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineFireside Project: 62-FIRESIDE

Version r1 · Not medical advice

References

  1. [1]
    ^abUntitled doi:10.2174/156802606778249766
  2. [2]
    ^Nadal-Gratacós N, Pazos MD, Pubill D, Camarasa J, Escubedo E, Berzosa X, López-Arnau R (2024) Structure-Activity Relationship of Synthetic Cathinones: An Updated Review — ACS Pharmacology and Translational Science doi:10.1021/acsptsci.4c00299
  3. [3]
    ^Boulanger-Gobeil C, St-Onge M, Laliberté M, Auger PL (2012) Seizures and hyponatremia related to ethcathinone and methylone poisoning — Journal of Medical Toxicology doi:10.1007/s13181-011-0159-1
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