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Effects vary widely by individual, dose, and context.
The physical effects of mephedrone can be broken down into several components which progressively intensify proportional to dosage.
The cognitive effects of mephedrone can be broken down into several components which progressively intensify proportional to dosage. The general head space of mephedrone is described by many as one of extreme mental stimulation and powerful euphoria. It contains a large number of typical stimulant cognitive effects.
Chronic use is considered highly addictive with an extreme potential for abuse and psychological dependence. The urge to redose is notoriously strong, particularly with insufflation, with many users reporting difficulty controlling their intake within a single session. Compulsive redosing patterns similar to or exceeding those of other euphoric stimulants are commonly described, leading to consumption of far more than intended.
Physical dependence is unlikely to develop significantly. Withdrawal symptoms are minimal and not life-threatening, though dependence may manifest as restlessness, tremors, insomnia, and hyperactivity following cessation of regular use.
The exact toxic dosage is unknown. Deaths have been attributed to mephedrone use, though many cases involved polydrug use or underlying health conditions. Post-mortem blood concentrations in fatal cases ranged from 3.3 to 22 mg/L. One case report documented survival after intramuscular injection of 3.8 grams with hospital treatment. Of 52 UK fatalities allegedly involving mephedrone by July 2010, only 38 had detectable mephedrone, with only two of nine completed investigations ruling mephedrone as the direct cause.
Acute cardiovascular effects including elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate, and vasoconstriction occur during intoxication; severe vasoconstriction resulting in bluish discolouration of extremities has been reported with repeated dosing over extended sessions at cumulative doses exceeding 600 mg.
Animal studies indicate mephedrone is a monoaminergic neurotoxin inducing serotonergic neurotoxicity; persistent serotonergic deficits have been observed following binge-like use patterns, particularly in warm environments, though some evidence suggests mephedrone may be less neurotoxic than corresponding amphetamines like MDMA at moderate doses.
Insufflation causes local irritation including pain, swelling, nosebleeds, and sinusitis; these effects are route-specific and occur primarily with heavy or repeated intranasal use.
One case of acquired methaemoglobinaemia with bluish discolouration of lips and fingers has been reported following insufflation of one gram; this appears to be a rare adverse effect.
High doses may lead to psychotic reactions including hallucinations, delusions, and erratic behaviour. Anxiety and paranoia are more commonly reported adverse effects. The most severe psychiatric effects appear to be associated with high doses or prolonged use, and risk may be elevated in individuals with predisposition to schizophrenia.
Seizures have been documented in clinical case series, with one hospital report finding 20% of treated patients experienced seizures. A fatal case in Sweden involved convulsions. Individuals with pre-existing seizure disorders may be at elevated risk when using stimulants.
Mephedrone was first synthesized in 1929 by Saem de Burnaga Sanchez, who published his work in the Bulletin de la Société Chimique de France under the chemical name "toluyl-alpha-monomethylaminoethylcetone." Following this initial synthesis, the compound remained an obscure product of academic
European Council Decision (December 2010) requiring EU Member States to subject mephedrone to control measures and criminal penalties
Classified as a prohibited substance under the Poisons Standard. Manufacture, possession, sale, or use is prohibited except for approved medical or scientific research purposes with Commonwealth and/or State or Territory Health Authorities approval.
Banned on April 29, 2010. Requires approval from the Ministry of Human Health to import, sell, or possess.
Controlled as of September 1, 2010. Illegal to sell, buy, import, export, and manufacture.
Added to controlled lists in early 2011 alongside other cathinone derivatives. The Czech Republic has decriminalized possession of small amounts of most recreational drugs, so penalties for personal possession are relatively low.
Classified as a controlled substance as of November 2009.
Added to the list of illicit substances by the Ministry of Health in early June 2010, published in the Journal Officiel du 11 juin 2010.
Classified as a Class B controlled substance as of April 16, 2010.
Added to the list of controlled psychotropic substances, reportedly in 2014 or early 2015.
Illegal to import or sell since February 2010.
Listed in Tabella I of the controlled substances tables, making it illegal to possess, purchase, or sell.
Classified as a controlled substance as of June 20, 2010.
In March 2010, the Dutch Ministry of Health and the Medicines Authority IGZ classified mephedrone as an unregulated medicine, prohibiting sales and distribution.
Added to the list of controlled psychotropic drugs in the I-P group on August 25, 2010.
Classified as List 1 in the Russian Federation as of August 2010. Illegal to manufacture, buy, possess, or distribute.
Controlled as of March 1, 2011.
Classified as a health hazard substance with a ban on sale effective December 15, 2008. Personal use is not explicitly illegal under this regulation, but commercial sale is prohibited.
Classified as a drug with prohibition on possession, production, supply, and import.
Federally scheduled in July 2012 under the Controlled Substances Act. Illegal to manufacture, buy, possess, or distribute without a DEA license. Prior to federal scheduling, numerous states enacted emergency bans starting in 2010-2011 including Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and others.
Illegal to possess, produce, and sell under the Suchtmittelgesetz (Narcotics Act) as of August 21, 2010.
Added to the list of scheduled drugs as of August 2011. Illegal to possess, sell, or manufacture without a license.
Classified as a controlled substance as of January 12, 2010.
Banned by the Minister for Health and Prevention on December 18, 2008. Denmark also implemented an analogue law effective July 1, 2012 that covers cathinone derivatives including mephedrone.
Classified as a medicinal product under the Medicines Act. Illegal to manufacture, import, possess, sell, or transfer without a prescription.
Controlled under Anlage I of the Betäubungsmittelgesetz (Narcotics Act, Schedule I) as of January 22, 2010. Illegal to manufacture, possess, import, export, buy, sell, procure, or dispense without a license.
Classified as a List 1 controlled substance as of January 1, 2011.
Controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 as of May 11, 2010.
First country to ban mephedrone by name in December 2007. Added to the list of controlled substances, making it illegal to buy, sell, or possess. Israel subsequently banned four families of substances including cathinones and methcathinones in July 2010.
Classified as a Class C controlled substance since December 2010.
Classified as a Schedule I controlled substance as of January 7, 2014.
Controlled under the Derivatbestemmelsen, an analogue act-type law that covers mephedrone alongside other substances.
Added to the list of controlled substances in February 2010.
Classified as a banned substance as of November 15, 2010.
Classified as a Schedule I controlled substance as of February 10, 2011.
Specifically named as a controlled substance under Verzeichnis D of the Swiss controlled substances regulations.
Controlled as a Class B drug as of April 16, 2010 through the cathinone catch-all clause under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
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