ETH-CAT: Difference between revisions

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'''Ethylcathinone''' (also known as '''Ethylpropion''', '''Ethcathinone''', and commonly as '''ETH-CAT''') is a synthetic [[psychoactive class::stimulant]] of the [[chemical class::cathinone]] chemical class that produces an array of medium-lived [[cathinone]] or [[amphetamine]]-like [[stimulation]] when [[Routes of administration|administered]]. It is an active metabolite of the [[prodrug]] diethylcathinone and is thought to be responsible for its psychoactive effects.  
'''Ethylcathinone''' (also known as '''Ethylpropion''', '''Ethcathinone''', and commonly as '''ETH-CAT''') is a synthetic [[psychoactive class::stimulant]] of the [[chemical class::cathinone]] chemical class that produces an array of medium-lived [[cathinone]] or [[amphetamine]]-like [[stimulation]] when [[Routes of administration|administered]]. It is an active metabolite of the [[prodrug]] diethylcathinone and is thought to be responsible for its psychoactive effects.  


Of the [[substituted cathinones]], ETH-CAT has been reported to be one of the most moderate, subtle and residually enduring in its stimulation. Although it has no pronounced, habit-forming "rush" component like [[mephedrone]] ('''4-methylmethcathinone'''), ETH-CAT is often reported to exhibit a tendency to induce [[compulsive redosing]], albeit in a manner that is often intended to just extend the effects of the plateau rather than reproduce the initial rush. It has a relatively short period of human use but is generally suspected to be well tolerated and relatively safe, extrapolating from the molecular structure as well as reports of it exhibiting a so-called "ceiling effect" that generally limits the amount of potentially-distracting [[euphoria]] it can produce compared to many other stimulant substances in its family.  
Of the [[substituted cathinones]], ETH-CAT has been reported to be one of the most moderate, subtle and residually enduring in its stimulation. Although it has no pronounced, habit-forming "rush" component like [[mephedrone]] ('''4-methylmethcathinone'''), ETH-CAT is often reported to exhibit a tendency to induce [[compulsive redosing]], albeit in a manner that is often intended to just extend the effects of the plateau rather than reproduce the initial rush.  
 
ETH-CAT has a relatively short period of human use but is generally suspected to be well tolerated and relatively safe, extrapolating from the molecular structure as well as reports of it exhibiting a so-called "ceiling effect" that generally limits the amount of potentially-distracting [[euphoria]] it can produce compared to many other stimulants in its class.  


Historically, ETH-CAT has rarely been available on the streets, but was instead primarily distributed as a [[research chemical]] on the online grey market.<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> However, in 2008 it was identified as an ingredient in both quasi-legal "party pills", and, along with another [[substituted cathinone]], [[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>
Historically, ETH-CAT has rarely been available on the streets, but was instead primarily distributed as a [[research chemical]] on the online grey market.<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> However, in 2008 it was identified as an ingredient in both quasi-legal "party pills", and, along with another [[substituted cathinone]], [[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>
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Although the effects of ETH-CAT have not been formally studied on the same level as traditional [[amphetamines]] or other substituted cathinones like [[methcathinone]], it is possible to speculate that like other simple [[substituted cathinone]], it most likely acts principally as a [[dopamine]] and [[norepinephrine]] [[reuptake inhibitor]].<ref>Kelly, J. P. (2011). Cathinone derivatives: a review of their chemistry, pharmacology and toxicology. ''Drug Testing and Analysis'', 3(7‐8), 439-453. https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.31</ref>  
Although the effects of ETH-CAT have not been formally studied on the same level as traditional [[amphetamines]] or other substituted cathinones like [[methcathinone]], it is possible to speculate that like other simple [[substituted cathinone]], it most likely acts principally as a [[dopamine]] and [[norepinephrine]] [[reuptake inhibitor]].<ref>Kelly, J. P. (2011). Cathinone derivatives: a review of their chemistry, pharmacology and toxicology. ''Drug Testing and Analysis'', 3(7‐8), 439-453. https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.31</ref>  


The result of this is an effective increase in the levels of [[catecholamine]] [[neurotransmitters]] like [[dopamine]] and [[norepinephrine]] in the brain by binding to and partially blocking the transporter proteins that normally clear these neurotransmitters from the synaptic cleft. This enables dopamine and norepinephrine to accumulate between the [[synaptic clef|synaptic clefs]] of key regions of the brain associated with reward, motivation, satisfaction and pleasure to extra-endogenous levels. This mechanism is thought to account for the [[Stimulation|stimulating]], [[Motivation enhancement|motivation enhancing]] and [[Euphoria|euphoric]] effects that this substance produces.
The result of this is an effective increase in the levels of [[catecholamine]] [[neurotransmitters]] like [[dopamine]] and [[norepinephrine]] in the brain by binding to and partially blocking the transporter proteins that normally clear these neurotransmitters from the synaptic cleft. This enables dopamine and norepinephrine to accumulate between the [[synaptic cleft|synaptic clefts]] of key regions of the brain associated with reward, motivation, satisfaction and pleasure to extra-endogenous levels. This mechanism is thought to account for the [[Stimulation|stimulating]], [[Motivation enhancement|motivation enhancing]] and [[Euphoria|euphoric]] effects that this substance produces.


==Subjective effects==
==Subjective effects==
At low to moderate doses, ETH-CAT has been reported as being a relatively functional and effective amphetamine-like stimulant for performing general productivity tasks. It has a noticeably short duration of activity combined with a tendency to produce long-lasting residual stimulation well after the main effects have worn off, which can promote patterns of [[compulsive redosing]] in order to maintain a steady level of the desired amount of physical and cognitive [[stimulation]]. However, at higher doses, it becomes less of a productivity-oriented stimulant and takes on a recreational character, perhaps owing to the inherently distracting nature of the type of [[thought acceleration]] and [[cognitive euphoria]] it can induce. However, even at high doses, it is reported as falling short of many other, far more hedonic and recreational [[substituted cathinones]] such as [[mephedrone]], [[methylone]], and [[methcathinone]] (M-CAT).
At low to moderate doses, ETH-CAT has been reported as being a relatively functional and effective amphetamine-like stimulant for performing general productivity tasks. It has a noticeably short duration of activity combined with a tendency to produce long-lasting residual stimulation well after the main effects have worn off, which can promote patterns of [[compulsive redosing]] in order to maintain a steady level of the desired amount of physical and cognitive [[stimulation]].  
 
However, at higher doses, it becomes less of a productivity-oriented stimulant and takes on a recreational character, perhaps owing to the inherently distracting nature of the type of [[thought acceleration]] and [[cognitive euphoria]] it can induce. However, even at high doses, it is reported as falling short of many other, far more hedonic and recreational [[substituted cathinones]] such as [[mephedrone]], [[methylone]], and [[methcathinone]] (M-CAT).


{{Preamble/SubjectiveEffects}}
{{Preamble/SubjectiveEffects}}
===Physical effects===
===Physical effects===
*'''[[Effect::Stimulation]]'''
*'''[[Effect::Stimulation]]'''
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*'''[[Stimulants]]''' - Ethylcathinone can be potentially dangerous in combination with other [[stimulant]]s as it can [[increased heart rate|increase one's heart rate]] and [[increased blood pressure|blood pressure]] to dangerous levels.
*'''[[Stimulants]]''' - Ethylcathinone can be potentially dangerous in combination with other [[stimulant]]s as it can [[increased heart rate|increase one's heart rate]] and [[increased blood pressure|blood pressure]] to dangerous levels.
{{DangerousInteractions/Stimulants}}
{{DangerousInteractions/Stimulants}}
*'''[[MDMA]]''' - The neurotoxic effects of MDMA may be increased when combined with [[amphetamine]]s.
*'''[[MDMA]]''' - The neurotoxic effects of MDMA may be increased when combined with [[amphetamines]].
*'''[[Cocaine]]''' - This combination may increase strain on the heart to dangerous levels.
*'''[[Cocaine]]''' - This combination may increase strain on the heart to dangerous levels.