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N-Ethylhexedrone Facts

Stimulant; Substituted cathinone; Norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor

Description

N-Ethylhexedrone (2-(ethylamino)-1-phenylhexan-1-one) — hexen, hex-en — is a synthetic stimulant of the cathinone class. It works like cocaine, blocking the brain's DAT rather than forcing dopamine release — but its effects last considerably longer. This blockade causes dopamine and norepinephrine to build up in the synapse,[1][2] producing the focused, driven stimulation characteristic of dopamine-dominant stimulants.

Subjective effects include euphoria, psychomotor activation, wakefulness, increased focus, and appetite suppression. The experience is a clean, driven stimulation — dopamine-dominant, without the empathogenic warmth of serotonin-releasing cathinones, closely resembling a longer-acting cocaine.[1]

N-Ethylhexedrone carries moderate abuse liability[3] and significant acute toxicity, with deaths documented at blood concentrations as low as 145 ng/mL.[4] Its 19–28 hour half-life[5] means each redose builds on an unseen physiological load — cardiovascular and neurotoxic burden accumulates long after the high fades.

Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies

Smoked(mg)
Threshold< 1 mgLight2 – 5 mgCommon5 – 10 mgStrong10 – 20 mgHeavy20+ mg

Starts in 2 – 10 minLasts 1 – 4 hoursAfter-effects 2 – 4 hours

Body and dependence

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

Tolerance

Builds
Moderate
Fully resets after
10.5 days
Carries over to
Cocaine; Amphetamine; Methylphenidate; Synthetic cathinones; Other DAT/NET inhibitors

Effectslikely at a common dose

Perception
none likely · 5 possible
Body
Appetite suppression; Dry mouth; Insomnia; Pupil dilation; Stimulation; Vasoconstriction; Wakefulness; +24 possible, including Excessive sweating, Heart rate perception changes, Muscle tension
Thinking
Compulsive redosing urge; +21 possible, including Cognitive dysphoria, Thought loops, Cognitive impairment
Feeling
Euphoria; +7 possible, including Anxiety, Depression, Paranoia
Self
Craving; +7 possible, including Compulsive repetitive behavior, Ego inflation
Time
none likely · 2 possible
Awareness
none likely · 1 possible

Who shouldn't take it

Absolute
Cardiovascular disease; Seizure disorders; Psychotic disorders; Bipolar disorder; Pregnancy; Concurrent MAOI therapy; Pheochromocytoma
Relative
Major depressive disorder; Severe anxiety disorders; Hepatic impairment; Renal impairment; Electrolyte disorders; Hyperthyroidism

Combinations61 recorded

Lethal (1)
Tramadol
Dangerous (29)
Amphetamines; Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine; Local anesthetics; MAOIs; MDMA, Amphetamines; NRIs; Stimulants; Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist; Anticholinergics; Antipsychotics; Caffeine; Clonidine, Guanfacine; Dopamine agonists; GHB, Baclofen; GHB, GBL; Ibogaine; Ketamine, DXM, PCP; Lithium; MDMA, MDA; NSAIDs; Opioids; Poppers (Alkyl nitrites); Poppers, Nitrates; Psychedelics; and 5 more, see full page
Caution (27)
See full page: psychedex.org/substances/n-ethylhexedrone
Not graded (4)
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]
    ^abGatch MB, Shetty RA, Sumien N, Forster MJ (2021) Behavioral effects of four novel synthetic cathinone analogs in rodents — Addiction Biology doi:10.1111/adb.12987
  2. [2]
    ^Nadal-Gratacós N, Ríos-Rodríguez E, Pubill D, et al. (2023) Structure-Activity Relationship of N-Ethyl-Hexedrone Analogues: Role of the alpha-Carbon Side-Chain Length — ACS chemical neuroscience doi:10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00772
  3. [3]
    ^de Mello-Sampayo C, Vaz AR, Henriques SC, Fernandes A, Paradinha F, Florindo P, Faria P, Moreira R, Brites D, Lopes A (2021) Designer Cathinones N-Ethylhexedrone and Buphedrone Show Different In Vitro Neurotoxicity and Mice Behaviour Impairment — Neurotoxicity Research doi:10.1007/s12640-020-00229-6
  4. [4]
    ^Domagalska E, Banaszkiewicz L, Woźniak MK, Kata M, Szpiech B, Kaliszan M (2021) Fatal N-Ethylhexedrone Intoxication — Journal of Analytical Toxicology doi:10.1093/jat/bkaa159
  5. [5]
    ^Lefeuvre S, Richeval C, Lelong J, Venisse N, Humbert L, Brunet B (2024) N-Ethylhexedrone: A very long and bad trip! A case series — Journal of Analytical Toxicology doi:10.1093/jat/bkae040
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