ETH-CAT: Difference between revisions

'''Ethylcathinone''' (also known as '''ethcathinone''', '''ethylpropion''' or '''ETH-CAT''') is a [[psychoactive class::stimulant]] drug of the [[substituted cathinone|cathinone]] chemical class. It is an active metabolite of the pro-drug diethylcathinone and is responsible for its pharmacological effects. Ethcathinone has been identified as an ingredient in both quasi-legal "party pills", and, along with mephedrone, has also been reported as having been sold as "ecstasy"<ref>Police warn of potentially fatal 'fake ecstasy' | http://www.abc.net.au/news/2008-06-17/police-warn-of-potentially-fatal-fake-ecstasy/2475270</ref>

Ethylcathinone is rarely sold on the streets, but is instead primarily sold as a grey market [[research chemical]] through online vendors.<ref>Isomeric fluoro-methoxy-phenylalkylamines: a new series of controlled-substance analogues (designer drugs) (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15639609</ref><ref>Chemical analysis of four capsules containing the controlled substance analogues 4-methylmethcathinone, 2-fluoromethamphetamine, alpha-phthalimidopropiophenone and N-ethylcathinone (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20074881</ref>  

Ethylcathinone is a simple structural modification of [[mephedrone]] where homologation of the N-methyl substituent to an N-ethyl group occurs. Aromatic substituents, similar to those for the [[amphetamine]] analogs, have been incorporated into [[cathinone]] and mephedrone.

Although the effects of ethylcathinone have not been formally studied on the same level as traditional [[amphetamines]] or other substituted cathinones like [[methcathinone]], it is reasonable to assume that just like other simple [[substituted cathinone]]s, it most likely acts primarily as a [[dopamine]] and [[norepinephrine]] [[reuptake inhibitor]].<ref>Cathinone derivatives: A review of their

chemistry, pharmacology and toxicology | DOI 10.1002/dta.31</ref> This means it effectively increases the levels of the norepinephrine and dopamine [[neurotransmitters]] in the brain by binding to and partially blocking the transporter proteins that normally clear those monoamines from the synaptic cleft. This allows dopamine and norepinephrine to accumulate within the brain to extra-endogenous levels, resulting in stimulating, motivatory and euphoric effects.

Ethylcathinone at low to moderate doses has been reported as being a relatively functional and effective psychoactive substance for performing general productivity tasks -- although its short action of duration may present a drawback compared to many other psychostimulants. However, at higher doses, it becomes less of a productivity enhancer and more recreational in nature, due to the distracting effects of the euphoria and stimulation it can induce.

The cognitive effects of ethylcathinone can be broken down into several components which intensify proportional to dosage. The general head space of ethylcathinone is described by many as one of mental stimulation coupled with mild euphoria, less present than that of [[amphetamine]], even at higher doses.

The toxicity and long-term health effects of recreational ethylcathinone use do not seem to have been studied in any scientific context and the [[Toxicity::exact toxic dosage is unknown]]. This is because ethylcathinone has very little history of human usage. Anecdotal evidence from people who have tried ethylcathinone within the community suggest that there do not seem to be any negative health effects attributed to simply trying this drug at low to moderate doses by itself and using it sparingly (but nothing can be completely guaranteed). Others have commented that its d-isomer form is virtually similar to the effects of d-[[amphetamine]], and thus far little has been shown to give reason to suspect that its toxicity is radically different (though future evidence to the contrary may prove otherwise).  

As with other [[stimulant]]s, ethylcathinone may also possess habit-forming or reinforcing properties. Compared with other stimulants, however chronic use of ethylcathinone can be considered only [[Addiction potential::mildly addictive with a comparatively low potential for abuse]]. Early studies demonstrate ethylcathinone suppresses cocaine self-administration in rhesus monkeys, without the adverse effects associated with older DA releasers (e.g., amphetamine).{{citation needed}} Despite this, ethylcathinone may still be capable of causing psychological dependence among certain users.

Tolerance to many of the effects of ethylcathinone [[Time to full tolerance::develops with prolonged and repeated use]]. This results in users having to administer increasingly large doses to achieve the same effects. After that, it takes about [[Time to half tolerance::3 - 7 days]] for the tolerance to be reduced to half and [[Time to zero tolerance::1 - 10 days]] to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). Ethylcathinone presents cross-tolerance with [[Cross-tolerance::all [[dopamine]]rgic [[stimulant]]s]], meaning that after the consumption of ethylcathinone all [[stimulant]]s will have a reduced effect.

*[[Cathinone]]