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Mephedrone: Difference between revisions
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==Pharmacology== | ==Pharmacology== | ||
Given its chemical structure, mephedrone is likely to act as a [[releasing agent]] and a [[reuptake inhibitor]] for monoamine [[neurotransmitters]] such as [[dopamine]], [[serotonin]] and [[noradrenaline]].<ref>What should be done about mephedrone? | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20332508</ref> | Given its chemical structure, mephedrone is likely to act as a [[releasing agent]] and a [[reuptake inhibitor]] for monoamine [[neurotransmitters]] such as [[dopamine]], [[serotonin]] and [[noradrenaline]].<ref>What should be done about mephedrone? (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20332508</ref> | ||
Several articles published near the end of 2011 examined the effects of mephedrone in the brains of rats, as well as examining the reinforcing potential of mephedrone. [[Dopamine]] and [[serotonin]] were collected using microdialysis, and increases in [[dopamine]] and [[serotonin]] were measured. Mephedrone administration caused about a 500% increase in [[dopamine]], and about a 950% increase in [[serotonin]]. They reached their peak concentrations at 40 minutes and 20 minutes and returned to baseline by 120 minutes after injection. | Several articles published near the end of 2011 examined the effects of mephedrone in the brains of rats, as well as examining the reinforcing potential of mephedrone. [[Dopamine]] and [[serotonin]] were collected using microdialysis, and increases in [[dopamine]] and [[serotonin]] were measured. Mephedrone administration caused about a 500% increase in [[dopamine]], and about a 950% increase in [[serotonin]]. They reached their peak concentrations at 40 minutes and 20 minutes and returned to baseline by 120 minutes after injection. | ||
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Analysis of the ratio for dopamine and serotonin indicated mephedrone was preferentially a [[serotonin]] [[Releasing agent|releaser]], with a ratio of 1.22:1 ([[serotonin]] vs. [[dopamine]]). Additionally, half-lives for the decrease in dopamine and serotonin were calculated and found to have decay rates of 24.5 minutes and 25.5 minutes. | Analysis of the ratio for dopamine and serotonin indicated mephedrone was preferentially a [[serotonin]] [[Releasing agent|releaser]], with a ratio of 1.22:1 ([[serotonin]] vs. [[dopamine]]). Additionally, half-lives for the decrease in dopamine and serotonin were calculated and found to have decay rates of 24.5 minutes and 25.5 minutes. | ||
These findings show mephedrone induces a massive increase in both [[dopamine]] and [[serotonin]], combined with rapid clearance. This increase in neurotransmitters provides an explanation for the euphoric and stimulating subjective effects induced by this experience. The rapid rise and subsequent fall of [[dopamine]] levels could also explain some of the addictive properties of mephedrone display in some users.<ref>Mephedrone, compared with MDMA (ecstasy) and amphetamine, rapidly increases both dopamine and 5-HT levels in nucleus accumbens of awake rats | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3246659/</ref><ref>4-Methylmethcathinone (mephedrone): neuropharmacological effects of a designer stimulant of abuse | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21810934?dopt=Abstract</ref> | These findings show mephedrone induces a massive increase in both [[dopamine]] and [[serotonin]], combined with rapid clearance. This increase in neurotransmitters provides an explanation for the euphoric and stimulating subjective effects induced by this experience. The rapid rise and subsequent fall of [[dopamine]] levels could also explain some of the addictive properties of mephedrone display in some users.<ref>Mephedrone, compared with MDMA (ecstasy) and amphetamine, rapidly increases both dopamine and 5-HT levels in nucleus accumbens of awake rats (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3246659/</ref><ref>4-Methylmethcathinone (mephedrone): neuropharmacological effects of a designer stimulant of abuse (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21810934?dopt=Abstract</ref> | ||
==Subjective effects== | ==Subjective effects== | ||
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==Toxicity and harm potential== | ==Toxicity and harm potential== | ||
{{Main|Research chemicals#Toxicity and harm potential}} | {{Main|Research chemicals#Toxicity and harm potential}} | ||
Almost nothing is known about the long-term effects of mephedrone due to its short history of its use.<ref>Clubbers are 'turning to new legal high mephedrone' | http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/10004366</ref> Along side of this, the [[Toxicity::exact toxic dosage is unknown]].<ref>Mephedrone, new kid for the chop? | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20735367</ref> | Almost nothing is known about the long-term effects of mephedrone due to its short history of its use.<ref>Clubbers are 'turning to new legal high mephedrone' | http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/10004366</ref> Along side of this, the [[Toxicity::exact toxic dosage is unknown]].<ref>Mephedrone, new kid for the chop? (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20735367</ref> | ||
In 2010, unconfirmed reports speculated about the role mephedrone has played in the deaths of several young people in the UK. By July 2010, mephedrone had been alleged to be involved in 52 fatalities in the UK, but detected in only 38 of these cases. Of the nine that coroners had finished investigating, two were caused directly by mephedrone.<ref> Ghodse, H.; Corkery, J.; Ahmed, K.; Naidoo, V.; Oyefeso and, A.; Schifano, F. (July 2010). "Drug-related deaths in the UK: Annual Report 2010". International Centre for Drug Policy, St George's University of London. p. 77. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-01-02. Retrieved 2010-01-02.</ref> The first death reported to be caused by mephedrone use was that of 46-year-old<ref> "Man from Hove died after injecting mephedrone", BBC News website, 27 May 2010; retrieved on 9 June 2012</ref> who had underlying health problems and repeatedly injected the drug.<ref> "Teenagers' deaths 'not caused by mephedrone'". BBC News. 28 May 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-20.</ref> A report in Forensic Science International in stated mephedrone intoxication has been recorded as the cause of death in two cases in Scotland.<ref> Torrance, H.; Cooper, G. (2010). "The detection of mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone) in 4 fatalities in Scotland". Forensic Science International 202 (1): e62–e63. doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2010.07.014. PMID 20685050.</ref> | In 2010, unconfirmed reports speculated about the role mephedrone has played in the deaths of several young people in the UK. By July 2010, mephedrone had been alleged to be involved in 52 fatalities in the UK, but detected in only 38 of these cases. Of the nine that coroners had finished investigating, two were caused directly by mephedrone.<ref> Ghodse, H.; Corkery, J.; Ahmed, K.; Naidoo, V.; Oyefeso and, A.; Schifano, F. (July 2010). "Drug-related deaths in the UK: Annual Report 2010". International Centre for Drug Policy, St George's University of London. p. 77. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-01-02. Retrieved 2010-01-02.</ref> The first death reported to be caused by mephedrone use was that of 46-year-old<ref> "Man from Hove died after injecting mephedrone", BBC News website, 27 May 2010; retrieved on 9 June 2012</ref> who had underlying health problems and repeatedly injected the drug.<ref> "Teenagers' deaths 'not caused by mephedrone'". BBC News. 28 May 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-20.</ref> A report in Forensic Science International in stated mephedrone intoxication has been recorded as the cause of death in two cases in Scotland.<ref> Torrance, H.; Cooper, G. (2010). "The detection of mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone) in 4 fatalities in Scotland". Forensic Science International 202 (1): e62–e63. doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2010.07.014. PMID 20685050.</ref> | ||
Despite similarities to known neurotoxins such as [[methamphetamine]] and other [[cathinone]] derivatives, mephedrone does not appear to produce neurotoxic effects in the dopamine system of mice.<ref>Mephedrone, an abused psychoactive component of 'bath salts' and methamphetamine congener, does not cause neurotoxicity to dopamine nerve endings of the striatum | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22191803</ref> | Despite similarities to known neurotoxins such as [[methamphetamine]] and other [[cathinone]] derivatives, mephedrone does not appear to produce neurotoxic effects in the dopamine system of mice.<ref>Mephedrone, an abused psychoactive component of 'bath salts' and methamphetamine congener, does not cause neurotoxicity to dopamine nerve endings of the striatum (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22191803</ref> | ||
It is strongly recommended that one use [[responsible drug use|harm reduction practices]] when using this drug. | It is strongly recommended that one use [[responsible drug use|harm reduction practices]] when using this drug. | ||