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Mephedrone: Difference between revisions
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| ''[[Mephedrone/Summary|Summary sheet: Mephedrone]]'' | | ''[[Mephedrone/Summary|Summary sheet: Mephedrone]]'' | ||
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'''Mephedrone''', also known as '''4-methylmethcathinone''' ('''4-MMC''') or '''4-methylephedrone''', is a synthetic [[psychoactive class::stimulant]] | '''Mephedrone''', also known as '''4-methylmethcathinone''' ('''4-MMC''') or '''4-methylephedrone''', is a synthetic [[psychoactive class::stimulant]] drug of the [[amphetamine]] and [[Substituted cathinone|cathinone]] classes. Slang names for the drug include '''drone''',<ref>Mephedrone: Chemistry lessons | http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/7614099/Mephedrone-Chemistry-lessons.html</ref> '''M-CAT''',<ref>Drugs crackdown hailed a success | http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/8555872.stm</ref> and '''meow meow'''.<ref>Mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone; ‘meow meow’): chemical, pharmacological and clinical issues | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00213-010-2070-x</ref> It is chemically similar to the [[cathinone]] compounds found in the [[khat]] plant of eastern Africa. It comes in the form of tablets or a powder, which users can swallow, snort, inject or insert rectally producing effects which are somewhat similar to that [[MDMA]], [[amphetamine]], and [[cocaine]]. | ||
Mephedrone was first synthesised in 1929, but did not become widely known until it was rediscovered in 2003. By 2007, mephedrone was reported to be available for sale on the internet, by 2008 law enforcement agencies had become aware of the compound, and by 2010 it had been reported in most of Europe, becoming particularly prevalent in the United Kingdom. | Mephedrone was first synthesised in 1929, but did not become widely known until it was rediscovered in 2003. By 2007, mephedrone was reported to be available for sale on the internet, by 2008 law enforcement agencies had become aware of the compound, and by 2010 it had been reported in most of Europe, becoming particularly prevalent in the United Kingdom. | ||
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Despite similarities to known neurotoxins such as [[methamphetamine]] and other [[Substituted cathinone|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> | Despite similarities to known neurotoxins such as [[methamphetamine]] and other [[Substituted cathinone|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 | It is strongly recommended that one use [[responsible drug use|harm reduction practices]] when using this drug. | ||
===Tolerance and addiction potential=== | ===Tolerance and addiction potential=== | ||
As with other [[stimulant]]s, the chronic use of mephedrone can be considered [[Addiction potential::moderately addictive with a high potential for abuse]] and is capable of causing psychological dependence among certain users. When addiction has developed, cravings and [[withdrawal effects]] may occur if a person suddenly stops their usage. | As with other [[stimulant]]s, the chronic use of mephedrone can be considered [[Addiction potential::moderately addictive with a high potential for abuse]] and is capable of causing psychological dependence among certain users. When addiction has developed, cravings and [[withdrawal effects]] may occur if a person suddenly stops their usage. | ||
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==Legal issues== | ==Legal issues== | ||
*'''European Union (EU):''' In October 2010, a European Union commission called for an EU-wide ban of mephedrone.<ref>http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-10-1355_en.htm?locale=en</ref> | *'''European Union (EU):''' In October 2010, a European Union commission called for an EU-wide ban of mephedrone.<ref>http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-10-1355_en.htm?locale=en</ref> | ||
*'''Australia:''' Mephedrone has been added to the Australian federal | *'''Australia:''' Mephedrone has been added to the Australian federal drug watch list and is now considered illegal if intended for human consumption. | ||
*'''Belgium:''' Mephedrone was banned on April 29, 2010, by making it a regulated | *'''Belgium:''' Mephedrone was banned on April 29, 2010, by making it a regulated drug requiring the approval of the Ministry of Human Health to import, sell, or possess. | ||
*'''Brazil:''' Mephedrone was added to the list of Scheduled | *'''Brazil:''' Mephedrone was added to the list of Scheduled drugs (class F2), making it illegal to possess, sell, or manufacture without a license as of August 2011.<ref>http://www.anvisa.gov.br/hotsite/talidomida/legis/RDC_36_2011.pdf</ref> | ||
*'''China:''' Mephedrone was made a Category I psychotropic substance, making it illegal to sell, buy, import, export, and manufacture as of September 2010. | *'''China:''' Mephedrone was made a Category I psychotropic substance, making it illegal to sell, buy, import, export, and manufacture as of September 2010. | ||
*'''Denmark:''' Denmark's Minister for Health and Prevention Jakob Axel Nielsen banned mephedrone, flephedrone and ethylcathinone on December 18, 2008. As of July 1, 2012, Denmark also created a type of analogue law that would include cathinones like mephedrone<ref>https://www.retsinformation.dk/forms/R0710.aspx?id=140430</ref> | *'''Denmark:''' Denmark's Minister for Health and Prevention Jakob Axel Nielsen banned mephedrone, flephedrone and ethylcathinone on December 18, 2008. As of July 1, 2012, Denmark also created a type of analogue law that would include cathinones like mephedrone<ref>https://www.retsinformation.dk/forms/R0710.aspx?id=140430</ref> | ||
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*'''Russia:''' Mephedrone is classified as List 1 in Russian Federation as of August 2010. This means it is illegal to manufacture, buy, possess, or distribute.<ref>http://gazeta.ru/news/lenta/2010/08/04/n_1529350.shtml</ref> | *'''Russia:''' Mephedrone is classified as List 1 in Russian Federation as of August 2010. This means it is illegal to manufacture, buy, possess, or distribute.<ref>http://gazeta.ru/news/lenta/2010/08/04/n_1529350.shtml</ref> | ||
*'''Slovak Republic:''' Starting March 1, 2011 mephedrone is controlled in the Slovak Republic.<ref>http://www.nrsr.sk/Dynamic/Download.aspx?DocID=350863</ref> | *'''Slovak Republic:''' Starting March 1, 2011 mephedrone is controlled in the Slovak Republic.<ref>http://www.nrsr.sk/Dynamic/Download.aspx?DocID=350863</ref> | ||
*'''Sweden:''' In Sweden, the | *'''Sweden:''' In Sweden, the drug is classified as a health hazard. A ban on mephedrone went into effect on December 15, 2008, making its sale illegal. Use of 4-methylmethcathinone is not explicitly illegal under this regulation. | ||
*'''United Kingdom:''' Mephedrone is a Class B drug; it is illegal to possess without the proper license or prescription as of April 16, 2010. | *'''United Kingdom:''' Mephedrone is a Class B drug; it is illegal to possess without the proper license or prescription as of April 16, 2010. | ||
*'''USA:''' Mephedrone is currently a Schedule I | *'''USA:''' Mephedrone is currently a Schedule I drug in the United States. This means it is illegal to manufacture, buy, possess, or distribute (sell, trade or give) without a DEA license. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||