4-MMC (Mephedrone)

What is mephedrone?

Mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone) is an empathogen-stimulant drug, which means it speeds up the messages travelling between the brain and body. Mephedrone also increases an individual’s feeling of empathy and kindness and enhances feelings of being socially accepted and connected to others.

Mephedrone is a New Psychoactive Substance (NPS) – a drug that has been designed to produce effects similar to those of established illicit drugs.

It was originally marketed online as a plant fertiliser or ‘research chemical’.

What does mephedrone look like?

Mephedrone comes in different forms, including:

• white powder with a yellowish tinge
• crystals
• capsules
• pills.

Other names

Meph, meow, meow-meow, m-cat, plant food, drone, bubbles, kitty cat.

Effects of mephedrone

Use of any drug can have risks. It’s important to be careful when taking any type of drug.

Mephedrone affects 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 varies from batch to batch)
• the environment (where the drug is taken).

The following effects may be experienced and may last for two-to-four hours:

• rush of intense pleasure
• feeling happy, energetic and wanting to talk more
• intense connection with music
• anxiety
• paranoia
• restless sleep
• muscle tension (face and jaw)
• blurred vision
• light-headedness, dizziness
• distorted sense of time
• memory loss
• nose bleeds from sniffing/snorting the drug
• enlarged (dilated) pupils, blurred vision
• dry mouth, thirst
• sweating
• reduced appetite
• 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.

People who have used mephedrone report that the effects of mephedrone are usually felt within 15-45 minutes and lasts for approximately 3-6 hours.