PsychonautWiki Archive

Methoxetamine

Revision as of 15:54, 23 May 2014 by >Oskykins (Text replace - "====Distortions====" to "====Distortions====")

Methoxetamine (MXE) or 3-MeO-2-Oxo-PCE is a chemical of the arylcyclohexylamine class which acts as hallucinogenic dissociative.

Methoxetamine (MXE)
The skeletal formula of Methoxetamine.
Dosage (insufflated)
Threshold 5 - 20 mg
Light 10 - 50 mg
Common 30 - 75 mg
Strong 60 - 125 mg
Heavy 100 - 250 mg
Duration
Total duration 3 - 5 hrs
Onset / Initial effects 10 - 20 mins
Coming up 15 - 30 mins
Peak 60 - 120 mins
Coming down 60 - 120 mins

This substance was originally developed as a research chemical through the use of intelligent drug design. [1]. It is a chemical derivative of Ketamine that also contains structural features of phencyclidine (PCP) and 3-MeO-PCP. [2]

MXE has almost no history of human usage prior and was first identified by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, which monitors the Internet for new psychoactive substances within the European Union, in November 2010. By July 2011, they had identified 58 websites selling the compound, at a cost of 145–195 euros for 10 grams. [3] Today it is used as a recreational drug and an entheogen, rarely sold on the streets and almost exclusively obtained as a grey area research chemical through the use of online vendors.

Chemistry

 
General formula of arylcyclohexylamine molecule.

MXE is classed as an arylcyclohexylamine drug. The Ar group is methoxybenzene in MXE. The nitrogen has one substituted ethyl group. There is an acetyl group attached at carbon R2.

Pharmacology

MXE acts as an NMDA Receptor Antagonist. NMDA receptors allow for electrical signals to pass between neurones in the brain and spinal column; for the signals to pass, the receptor must be open. NMDA receptor antagonists close the NMDA receptors by blocking them. This disconnection of neurones leads to loss of feeling, difficulty moving, and eventually the famous “hole”.

MXE also acts as a dopamine-reuptake inhibitor and a serotonin reuptake inhibitor with µ-opioid affinity and typical dissociative effects. This provides an explanation for its euphoric and often stimulating effects.

Subjective effects

The effects listed below are based upon the subjective effects index and personal experiences of PsychonautWiki contributors. The listed effects will rarely if ever occur all at once but heavier dosages will increase the chances and are more likely to induce a full range of effects.

Physical effects

The subjective physical effects of MXE however can be broken down into nine components all of which progressively intensify proportional to dosage. These are described below and generally include:

  • Disconnection from tactile input
  • Spontaneous tactile sensations - The MXE body high is a sharp, pleasurable tingling sensation which is location specific to the hands, feet and head.
  • Suppression of touch - This partially to entirely suppresses one's own sense of touch, creating feelings of numbness within the extremities. It is responsible for the anaesthetic properties of this substance.
  • Physical autonomy
  • Loss of motor control - A loss of gross and fine motor control alongside of balance and coordination is prevalent within MXE and becomes especially strong at higher dosages. This means that one should be sitting down before the onset unless they are experienced in case of falling over and injuring oneself.
  • Euphoria - This results in feelings of physical euphoria which range between mild pleasure to powerful all-encompassing bliss.
  • Decreased bodily weight - This creates the sensation that the body is floating and has become entirely weightless. This effect is strangely stimulating and encourages physical activities at low to moderate dosages by making the body feel light and effortless to move.
  • Dizziness - Although uncommon, some people report dizziness under the influence of MXE.
  • Nausea - It's worth noting that high dose MXE trips can sometimes result in nausea and vomiting at the peak of trip. For most people, this is surprisingly not as unpleasant as they would initially expect due to the accompanying detachment from the physical senses.

Cognitive effects

The general head space of MXE is often described as particularly euphoric and clear headed in comparison to that of DXM and Ketamine. The specific cognitive effects can be broken down into 8 separate subcomponents which are listed and described below:

Visual effects

Suppression

This substance does not enhance visual stimuli; instead it tends to degrade and decrease visual aptitude in a variety of ways which generally includes:

Distortions

MXE exhibits a full array of dissociative distortions and alterations in visual perception which generally includes:

Geometry

The visual geometry found within MXE can be described as very dark and bland when compared to that of Ketamine or DXM and often consists of many tiny interlocking and woven lines. It does not extend beyond level 4 and can be comprehensively described through its variations as simplistic in complexity, algorithmic in style, synthetic in feel, unstructured in organization, dimly lit in lighting, multicoloured in scheme, glossy in shading, soft in edges, small in size, slow in speed, smooth in motion, equal in rounded and angular corners, immersive in depth and consistent in intensity.

Hallucinatory states

At high dosages MXE can produce a full range of high level hallucinatory states in a fashion that that is less consistent and reproducible than that of many other commonly used psychedelics. These effects include:

Auditory effects

The auditory effects of MXE are common in their occurrence and exhibit a range of effects which commonly includes:

Toxicity and harm potential

The toxicity and long term health effects of recreational MXE use do not seem to have been studied in any scientific context and the exact toxic dosage is unknown. This is because MXE is a research chemical with very little history of human usage. Anecdotal evidence from people who have tried MXE within the psychedelic community confirm that there do not seem to be any negative health effects attributed to simply trying this drug at low to moderate doses or using it sparingly (but nothing can be completely guaranteed).

Tolerance and Addiction Potential

In terms of MXE tolerance, this can take weeks to build up for some but for others it can take a single night of heavy use. Once a physical tolerance to MXE has set itself in, it can often take a month or more to reset itself.

MXE has a fairly high potential to be abused. It does not seem to physically addictive, but can become habit-forming as there is no real tolerance attributed to this drug, meaning that it could potentially be used multiple days in a row if somebody chooses to do so. There have been multiple reports across the internet of people becoming seriously addicted daily users of this substance so serious precautions and considerations should be taken before trying this substance.

Reports of compulsive redosing during high dose trips resulting in over doses have also been reported. This can be prevented by keeping MXE far away from oneself when tripping and addiction can be avoided by manually limiting ones usage of the drug. It’s worth noting however that as with most hallucinogens, most users note that the desire to use them can actually decrease with use.

Urinary tract effects

In terms of its long term health effects, when used repeatedly and with excess for extended periods of time, MXE seems to exhibit almost identical bladder and urinary tract problems to those found within ketamine but to a lesser extent. This is because MXE is 4 times as potent as ketamine so significantly less of drug needs to be consumed. Symptoms of Ketamine cystitis can become extremely serious and can described as,

  • urinary frequency - a need to empty your bladder every few minutes.
  • urinary urgency - a sudden, compelling need to urinate
  • urinary pressure - a constant sensation of fullness in your bladder that is unrelieved by urination
  • pelvic and bladder pain - pain can develop suddenly and severely, particularly as the bladder fills with urine.
  • hematuria - visible blood in the urine.
  • incontinence - leakage of urine

All of these however can easily be avoided by simply not using MXE on a daily or even weekly basis and manually limiting your usage of the substance.

  • Germany: Possession, production and sale is illegal.
  • Japan: Possession, production and sale is illegal.
  • Russia: Possession, production and sale is illegal.
  • Switzerland: Possession, production and sale is illegal.
  • UK: MXE is a Class B drug.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Interview with a ketamine chemist | http://www.viceland.com/int/v18n2/htdocs/interview-with-ketamine-chemist-704.php
  2. ↑ MXE Binding profile | http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/agencies-public-bodies/acmd1/methoxetamine2012?view=Binary
  3. ↑ Online sales of new psychoactive substances/‘legalhighs’ | http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/attachements.cfm/att_143801_EN_SnapshotSummary.pdf
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