Synthetic Cathinones
Synthetic Cathinones
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Synthetic cathinones are stimulants, meaning that they speed up the messages between the brain and the body and have similar effects to amphetamines. Synthetic cathinones are also part of a group of drugs known as New Psychoactive Substances (NPS). NPSs are a range of drugs that first appeared on the recreational drug market in the mid 2000s, that have been designed to mimic established illicit drugs, such as cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy and LSD.
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Types of cathinones commonly used:
• Mephedrone (4-MMC, M-CAT)
• Methylone
• Methcathinone
• Buphedrone
• Bupropion
• Pyrovalerone
• Alpha-Pyrrolidinovalerophenone (alpha-PVP)
• MDPV -
How are they used?
Synthetic cathinones are usually snorted, swallowed or injected. When taken orally the desired effects are typically seen within 15–45 minutes. After snorting the desired effect is anecdotally reported to occur within a few minutes. The effects usually last for approximately 2-4 hours.
Side Effects of Synthetic Cathinones
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There is no safe level of drug use. Use of any drug always carries risk.
Synthetic cathinones affect everyone differently, based on:
• The amount taken
• A person’s size, weight and health
• Whether the person is used to taking it
• Whether other drugs are taken around the same time
• The strength of the drug (which can vary from batch to batch)The individual effects and toxicity of each cathinone are distinct and can vary greatly between each person using them.
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Generally speaking, in small doses the following effects may be experienced and may last for approximately 2-4 hours:
Rush of intense pleasure
Feeling happy, energetic and wanting to talk more
Intense connection with music
Restless sleep
Muscle tension (face and jaw)
Blurred vision
Light-headedness, dizziness
Distorted sense of time
Enlarged (dilated) pupils, blurred vision
Dry mouth, thirst
Sweating
Memory loss
Reduced appetite
Sharing needles may also transmit:
Tetanus
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
HIV/AIDS
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Higher doses may result in the following adverse effects:
Anxiety
Paranoia
Nose bleeds from snorting the drug
Stomach pains, nausea, vomiting
Skin rashes
Fast or irregular heartbeat
High blood pressure and hot flushes
Strong urge to re-dose
Chest pain
Tremors, convulsions, death
Why are Synthetic Cathinones dangerous?
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Use of synthetic cathinones is likely to be more dangerous when:
Taken in combination with alcohol or other drugs, particularly stimulants such as crystal methamphetamine (‘ice’) or ecstasy
Driving or operating heavy machinery
Judgment or motor coordination is required
Alone (in case medical assistance is required)
The person has a mental health problem
The person has an existing heart problem. Injecting synthetic cathinones can cause soft tissue and vascular damage.
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Coming Down
In the days after synthetic cathinone use, the following may be experienced:
Restless sleep
Tiredness
Dizziness
Low mood
Wounds, sores taking longer to heal
Memory loss
Depression
Anxiety
Tremors
Problems sleeping
Paranoia
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Health & Safety
Synthetic cathinone harm reduction advice is partly based on what is known of related drugs like amphetamines and MDMA, as not enough research has been done on individual synthetic cathinones specifically.
Mixing Synthetic Cathinones with other drugs
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Synthetic Cathinones + Ice, Speed or Ecstasy
Increase the risk of cardiovascular (heart) problems and substance-induced psychosis
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Synthetic Cathinones + Alcohol + Cannabis
Nausea and vomiting.
The effects of combining Cathinones with other drugs – including over-the-counter or prescribed medications – can be unpredictable and dangerous.
