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Methylone Facts

Stimulant; Entactogen; Substituted cathinone; Serotonin releasing agent

Description

Methylone (3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylcathinone) — bk-MDMA — is a synthetic empathogen-stimulant of the substituted cathinone class. It triggers the simultaneous release of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine from nerve terminals,[1][2] producing both empathogenic warmth and stimulant energy.

Subjective effects include empathogenic warmth, euphoria, enhanced sociability, and stimulant energy. The experience resembles a compressed version of MDMA — the same emotional openness and drive to connect, but shorter and with a more physically driven quality.[3]

Methylone produces moderate reinforcement and serious cardiovascular toxicity — sudden cardiac death has occurred in both healthy and predisposed individuals.[4][5] Risk sharpens in hot, crowded environments, and combining it with MAOIs or other serotonin-raising drugs can trigger a life-threatening overheating crisis.[6][7]

Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies

Oral(mg)
Threshold< 75 mgLight75 – 150 mgCommon150 – 225 mgStrong225 – 325 mgHeavy325+ mg

Starts in 15 – 45 minLasts 2.5 – 4 hoursAfter-effects 2 – 4 hours

Body and dependence

Acute toxicity
High
Chronic toxicity
Moderate
Physical dependence
Low
Psychological dependence
Moderate
Withdrawal
None recorded
Compulsive redosing
Moderate

Tolerance

Builds
Moderate
Fully resets after
31 days
Carries over to
mdma; amphetamine; mephedrone; methamphetamine

Effectslikely at a common dose

Perception
none likely · 3 possible
Body
Stimulation; Wakefulness; Pupil dilation; Body high; +24 possible, including Temperature dysregulation, Abnormal heartbeat, Dehydration sensation
Thinking
none likely · 20 possible, including Compulsive redosing urge, Suggestibility enhancement, Cognitive impairment
Feeling
Euphoria; +10 possible, including Depression, Anxiety, Dysphoria
Self
none likely · 8 possible, including Craving
Time
none likely · 2 possible
Awareness
none likely · 1 possible

Who shouldn't take it

Absolute
Congenital heart disease; Long QT syndrome; Cardiac arrhythmia; Psychotic disorders; Pregnancy and breastfeeding; Pregnancy and lactation; Concurrent MAOI use
Relative
Hypertension; Asthma; Hepatic impairment; Concurrent SSRI/SNRI use

Combinations61 recorded

Lethal (2)
MAOIs; Tramadol
Dangerous (34)
Anticholinergics; Atypical antipsychotics; Caffeine; Dopamine agonists; Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine; Local anesthetics; MDMA, Amphetamines; MDMA, MDA; NRIs; Opioids; SNRIs; SSRIs; Stimulants; 5-HTP, Tryptophan; Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist; Antihistamines; Antipsychotics; Buspirone; Clonidine, Guanfacine; DXM; GHB, Baclofen; GHB, GBL; Ibogaine; Ketamine, DXM, PCP; and 10 more, see full page
Caution (22)
See full page: psychedex.org/substances/methylone
Not graded (3)
Not listed never means safe.

Seek help immediately if

  • Overheating / very high body temperature — heavy sweating, then hot dry skin (the leading cause of MDMA deaths, worse when dancing in hot venues)
  • Muscle rigidity, jaw clenching, tremor, or twitching (possible serotonin syndrome)
  • Fast, pounding heartbeat; chest pain
  • Agitation, confusion; seizures
  • Hyponatremia (water intoxication) — headache, confusion, drowsiness, vomiting, and seizures from drinking too much water
  • Nausea/vomiting; collapse or unconsciousness

What to do

  1. Move them somewhere cool and help them cool down — overheating is the main danger
  2. Sip water to stay hydrated but DO NOT overdrink — roughly a cup (250 ml) per hour if active; too much water can be deadly (hyponatremia)
  3. Get them to rest and stop dancing
  4. For overheating, seizures, chest pain, muscle rigidity/tremor, confusion, or unresponsiveness, call emergency services
  5. Recovery position if drowsy or vomiting; stay with them
  6. Be ready to give rescue breaths / CPR

Most resolve with cooling, rest, sensible hydration, and time. The life-threatening dangers are hyperthermia, serotonin syndrome, and hyponatremia (too much water) — each a medical emergency, not something to wait out.

988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineFireside Project: 62-FIRESIDE

Version r1 · Not medical advice

References

  1. [1]
    ^Simmler LD, Buser TA, Donzelli M, et al. (2012) Pharmacological characterization of designer cathinones in vitro — British Journal of Pharmacology doi:10.1111/j.1476-5381.2012.02145.x
  2. [2]
    ^Baumann MH, Ayestas MA, Partilla JS, et al. (2012) The designer methcathinone analogs, mephedrone and methylone, are substrates for monoamine transporters in brain tissue — Neuropsychopharmacology doi:10.1038/npp.2011.304
  3. [3]
    ^Debruyne D, Loilier M, Cesbron A, Le Boisselier R, Bourgine J (2014) Emerging drugs of abuse: current perspectives on substituted cathinones — Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation doi:10.2147/sar.s37257
  4. [4]
    ^Carbone PN, Carbone DL, Carstairs SD, Luzi SA (2013) Sudden cardiac death associated with methylone use — American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology doi:10.1097/paf.0b013e31827ab5da
  5. [5]
    ^Kovacs K, Toth AR, Kereszty EM (2012) A new designer drug: methylone related death — Orvosi Hetilap doi:10.1556/oh.2012.29310
  6. [6]
    ^Stefkova K, Zidkova M, Horsley RR, Pinterova N, Sichova K, Uttl L, Balikova M, Danda H, Kuchar M, Palenicek T (2017) Pharmacokinetic, Ambulatory, and Hyperthermic Effects of 3,4-Methylenedioxy-N-Methylcathinone (Methylone) in Rats — Frontiers in Psychiatry doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00232
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