Methoxetamine: Difference between revisions

'''3-MeO-2'-Oxo-PCE''' (commonly known as '''Methoxetamine''', '''MXE''', '''Mexxy''', among others) is a [[psychoactive class::dissociative]] substance of the [[Chemical class::arylcyclohexylamine]] class that produces [[ketamine|ketamine-like]] [[dissociative]] effects when [[administered]]. It is structurally related to [[ketamine]], [[PCE]], and [[3-MeO-PCP]].<ref name="ACMDMXE2012">{{Citation | title=Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) Methoxetamine report, 2012 | url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/advisory-council-on-the-misuse-of-drugs-acmd-methoxetamine-report-2012}}</ref>

MXE was originally developed through the use of intelligent drug design, as a potential treatment for [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phantom_pain Phantom Limb Syndrome] among other ailments.<ref>{{Citation | vauthors=((Morris, H.)) | year=2011 | title=Interview with a Ketamine Chemist | url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/ppzgk9/interview-with-ketamine-chemist-704-v18n2}}</ref>  

MXE acts as a non-competitive [[NMDA receptor antagonist]] and [[serotonin]]-[[Reuptake Inhibitor|reuptake inhibitor]].<ref name="ACMDMXE2012"/></ref> NMDA receptors allow for electrical signals to pass between neurons in the brain and spinal column; for the signals to pass, the receptor must be open. Dissociatives close the NMDA receptors by blocking them. This disconnection of neurons leads to loss of feeling, difficulty moving, and eventually an almost identical equivalent of the famous “[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-hole k-hole].” MXE was reported to be similar to [[Ketamine|ketamine]] <ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=((Kjellgren, A.)), ((Jonsson, K.)) | journal=Journal of Psychoactive Drugs | title=Methoxetamine (MXE) – A Phenomenological Study of Experiences Induced by a “Legal High” from the Internet | volume=45 | issue=3 | pages=276–286 | date=1 July 2013 | url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02791072.2013.803647 | issn=0279-1072 | doi=10.1080/02791072.2013.803647}}</ref>, despite being stronger and having a longer duration. <ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=((Coppola, M.)), ((Mondola, R.)) | journal=Medical Hypotheses | title=Methoxetamine: From drug of abuse to rapid-acting antidepressant | volume=79 | issue=4 | pages=504–507 | date= October 2012 | url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S030698771200312X | issn=03069877 | doi=10.1016/j.mehy.2012.07.002}}</ref>

Because of its structural similarity to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3-HO-PCP 3-HO-PCP], it was falsely believed to carry [[opioid]] properties.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=((Morris, H.)), ((Wallach, J.)) | journal=Drug Testing and Analysis | title=From PCP to MXE: a comprehensive review of the non-medical use of dissociative drugs: PCP to MXE | volume=6 | issue=7–8 | pages=614–632 | date= July 2014 | url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/dta.1620 | issn=19427603 | doi=10.1002/dta.1620}}</ref> This claim cannot be supported by actual data, instead showing only insignificant affinity for the µ-opioid receptor by the substance itself, although in-vivo metabolites could yield different effects.<ref name="ACMDMXE2012"/>

*'''Germany''': MXE is controlled under BtMG Anlage I, making it illegal to manufacture, import, possess, sell, or transfer it without a license.<ref>{{Citation | title=Anlage I BtMG - Einzelnorm | url=http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/btmg_1981/anlage_i.html}}</ref>

*'''Japan''': MXE is a narcotic drug in Japan effective June 26th, 2016.<ref>{{Citation | title=新たに指定薬物４物質を麻薬に指定します（注意喚起）｜厚生労働省 | publisher=厚生労働省 [Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW)] | url=https://www.mhlw.go.jp/seisakunitsuite/bunya/kenkou_iryou/iyakuhin/yakubuturanyou/oshirase/20160527-1.html}}</ref>

*'''Netherlands''': It is illegal to possess, produce, trasnport, import, export, or sell MXE.<ref>{{Citation | vauthors=((Koninkrijksrelaties, M. van B. Z. en)) | title=Opiumwet | url=https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0001941/2017-05-25}}</ref>