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Methoxetamine Facts

Dissociative; Arylcyclohexylamine; NMDA receptor antagonist

Description

MXE (methoxetamine) — Mexxy, Special M — is a synthetic dissociative of the arylcyclohexylamine class. It blocks glutamate signaling in the brain and raises serotonin levels,[1] producing dissociation alongside an emotional warmth absent from most dissociatives.[2]

Subjective effects include dissociation, depersonalization, pain suppression, emotional enhancement, and internal hallucinations. The experience is warmer and more emotionally present than Ketamine — high doses produce a complete disconnection from surroundings lasting several hours.[2]

Animal studies confirm MXE is habit-forming, and one death has been attributed to it alone;[3] it also produces cross-tolerance with Ketamine, phencyclidine, and similar drugs.[4] Combining it with serotonin-raising drugs risks a dangerous overheating and seizure response, and repeated low-dose exposure causes persistent brain damage in animal models.[5]

Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies

Oral(mg)
Threshold< 5 mgLight10 – 25 mgCommon25 – 45 mgStrong45 – 70 mgHeavy70+ mg

Starts in 20 – 45 minLasts 4 – 6 hoursAfter-effects 4 – 12 hours

Body and dependence

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

Tolerance

Builds
Moderate
Fully resets after
10 days
Carries over to
ketamine; phencyclidine; dextromethorphan; nitrous oxide

Effectslikely at a common dose

Perception
Spatial disorientation; Music enhancement; Perspective distortion; Proprioceptive distortion; Sensory deprivation; +10 possible, including Visual acuity suppression, Double vision, Vestibular distortion
Body
Spontaneous body sensations; Motor control impairment; Pain suppression; Dizziness; Sedation; Body high; Nystagmus (eye wobbles); +9 possible, including Nausea
Thinking
Cognitive euphoria; Memory suppression; Cognitive impairment; Decision impairment; Information processing suppression; +15 possible, including Analysis suppression, Compulsive redosing urge, Confusion
Feeling
Euphoria; +2 possible
Self
Depersonalization; Derealization; +5 possible, including Communication suppression, Craving, Social disconnection
Time
Time alteration; Temporal disorientation; +1 possible
Transpersonal
none likely · 1 possible
Awareness
none likely · 1 possible

Who shouldn't take it

Absolute
Cardiac conduction disorders; Epilepsy; Psychotic disorders; Pregnancy; Concurrent serotonergic medications
Relative
Hepatic impairment; Renal impairment; Urological disease

Combinations64 recorded

Lethal (4)
Alcohol; GHB, GBL; Tramadol; αMT
Dangerous (39)
Benzodiazepines; Benzodiazepines, Barbiturates; Buprenorphine, Kratom; Naltrexone; NSAIDs; Opioids; Stimulants; THC; 5-HTP, Tryptophan; Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist; Amphetamines; Anticholinergics; Antihistamines; Antipsychotics; Atypical antipsychotics; Buspirone; Caffeine; Clonidine, Guanfacine; Dopamine agonists; DXM; Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine; Gabapentin, Pregabalin; GHB, Baclofen; Ibogaine; and 15 more, see full page
Caution (18)
See full page: psychedex.org/substances/methoxetamine
Not graded (3)
Not listed never means safe.

Seek help immediately if

  • Severe disorientation; unable to move or speak (deep dissociation / "k-hole")
  • Complete loss of coordination — cannot stand or walk safely
  • Vomiting while incapacitated (choking / aspiration risk)
  • Very high blood pressure; fast heart rate
  • Slow or shallow breathing at high doses (especially mixed with depressants)
  • Unconsciousness; rarely, seizures

What to do

  1. Move them somewhere safe, away from stairs, water, roads, and sharp edges — they cannot protect themselves
  2. Place in the recovery position if vomiting or unconscious (aspiration is a key risk)
  3. Stay with them and reassure calmly; keep the environment quiet
  4. If breathing is slow/shallow or they are unresponsive, call emergency services
  5. Do not let them wander; do not leave them alone
  6. Be ready to give rescue breaths / CPR

Effects wear off with time in a safe, monitored setting. The main dangers are physical injury and aspiration while incapacitated, and respiratory depression when combined with other depressants — not the dissociation itself.

988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineFireside Project: 62-FIRESIDE

Version r1 · Not medical advice

References

  1. [1]
    ^Roth BL, Gibbons S, Arunotayanun W, Huang XP, Setola V, Treble R, Iversen L (2013) The ketamine analogue methoxetamine and 3- and 4-methoxy analogues of phencyclidine are high affinity and selective ligands for the glutamate NMDA receptor — PLoS ONE doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0059334
  2. [2]
    ^abMarti M, Talani G, Miliano C, Bilel S, Biggio F, Bratzu J, Diana M, De Luca MA, Fattore L (2021) New insights into methoxetamine mechanisms of action: Focus on serotonergic 5-HT2 receptors in pharmacological and behavioral effects in the rat — Experimental Neurology doi:10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113836
  3. [3]
    ^Adamowicz P, Zuba D (2015) Fatal intoxication with methoxetamine — Journal of Forensic Sciences doi:10.1111/1556-4029.12594
  4. [4]
    ^Berquist MD, Hyatt WS, Bauer-Erickson J, Gannon BM, Norwood AP, Fantegrossi WE (2018) Phencyclidine-like in vivo effects of methoxetamine in mice and rats. — Neuropharmacology doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.08.028
  5. [5]
    ^Costa G, Serra M, Pintori N, Casu MA, Zanda MT, Murtas D, De Luca MA, Simola N, Fattore L (2019) The novel psychoactive substance methoxetamine induces persistent behavioral abnormalities and neurotoxicity in rats — Neuropharmacology doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.10.031
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