A stimulant drug belonging to the chemical family of cathinones which is a group of drugs that are ‘cousins’ of the family of amphetamine compounds. The amphetamine-like drugs include amphetamine itself (speed), methamphetamine and ecstasy (MDMA), among many others. Mephedrone produces euphoria, alertness, talkativeness and feelings of empathy. It can also cause anxiety and paranoid states and risks overstimulating the heart and circulation, and it risks overstimulating the nervous system to cause fits. There is developing evidence on the risk of death from using mephedrone. When sold over the internet, it was often described as a plant food, research chemicals or bath salts, and not for human consumption.

Slang: meph, MC, MCAT, m-cat, 4-MMC, Miaow, Meow Meow, Bubbles, Bounce, Charge, Drone, White Magic

The effects

• Often described as a mix between amphetamines, ecstasy and cocaine
• Users feel alert, confident, euphoric and talkative, and some feel greater empathy with those around them
• The effects last about an hour, but this can vary

Chances of getting hooked

• Reports suggest it can be compulsive to use and can create a state of psychological dependence (and consequent compulsive re-dosing may itself lead to increased health harms).
• It has been reported that once users start a session, they can find it very difficult to stop until they’ve used their entire supply - behaviour known as ‘fiending’.

The Law

• The importation of mephedrone into the UK has been banned.
• Mephedrone became controlled as a Class B drug on the 16th April 2010 meaning it is illegal to have, give away or sell. Possession can get you up to five years in jail. Supplying someone else, including your friends, can get you up to fourteen years in jail and an unlimited fine.

Appearance and use

• A fine white, off-white or yellowish powder - usually snorted like cocaine or swallowed ‘bombed’ in wraps of paper
• Can be smoked and in rare cases is injected
• Also comes in capsules and pills

Cost

• When legal, it was sold at between £10 and £15 a gram online
• Likely to cost more from a dealer

Purity

• Sometimes mixed with other cathinones and caffeine

The Risks

• Likely dangers associated with mephedrone are becoming clearer as more reports emerge
• Mephedrone can overstimulate the heart and effects on the circulation probably account for reports by users of blue or cold fingers
• It can overstimulate the nervous system to cause fits, agitation and hallucinations
• It can also cause anxiety and paranoid feelings
• Severe nosebleeds have been reported after snorting
• Other effects that have been reported include palpitations, insomnia, loss of short-term memory, vertigo, grinding of teeth, sweating and uncomfortable changes in body temperature (importantly overheating from the use of other amphetamine-type drugs has been a significant cause of deaths)
• Mephedrone has been identified as a possible contributor to a number of deaths in the UK, with a confirmed case in Sweden
• You increase the risks to yourself if you combine alcohol with mephedrone or any substance that causes a ‘high’, including increasing the risk of death

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