Methylone, also known as M1, 3, MDMC, or bk-MDMA, is an entactogen and stimulant of the phenethylamine, amphetamine and cathinone classes. It is a completely new drug to most people. It is being referred to as one of the "second generation" of the new synthetic drugs.
IUPAC Name: 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-(methylamino)propan-1-one
Molecular Formula: C11H13NO3
Molecular Mass: 207.2 g/mol
Classification
The chemical name of methylone is 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylcathinone; Methylone resembles MDMA in its behavioural profile. Further, also in common with MDMA, methylone acts on monoaminergic systems. In vitro, methylone has one third the potency of MDMA at inhibiting platelet serotonin accumulation and about the same in its inhibiting effects on the dopamine and noradrenaline transporters.
The structural formula is as follows:
Pharmacodynamics
Methylone acts as a mixed reuptake inhibitor/releasing agent of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. In comparison to MDMA, it has approximately 3x lower affinity for the serotonin transporter, while its affinity for the norepinephrine and dopamine transporters is similar. Notably, methylone's affinity for the vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) is about 13x lower than that of MDMA. The results of these differences in pharmacology relative to MDMA are that methylone is less potent in terms of dose, has more balanced catecholaminergic effects relative to serotonergic, and behaves more like a reuptake inhibitor like methylphenidate than a releaser like amphetamine; however, methylone has relatively robust releasing capabilities, perhaps due to its ability to phosphorylate the monoamine transporters being similar in potency relative to MDMA.
Pharmacokinetics
The two major metabolic pathways in mammals for methylone are N-demethylation to methylenedioxycathinone (MDC), and demethylation followed by O-methylation of the 3- or 4-hydroxy group to 4-hydroxy-3-methoxymethcathinone (HMMC) or 3-hydroxy-4-methoxymethcathinone (3-OH-4-MeO-MC).
Effect
Methylone has almost the same potency of MDMA, but it does not produce the same effects.
It has an almost antidepressant action, pleasant and positive, but not the unique magic of MDMA. The effects of methylone may include the following:
Central Nervous System
• Stimulation
• Euphoria or dysphoria, and anxiolysis or anxiogenesis, depending on the individual.
• An increase in sociability.
• Insomnia and restlessness
• Derealization/depersonalization, hallucinations, and psychosis, depending on the individual, and in all individuals with high dosage or extended use.
Sympathomimetic
• Tachycardia and hypertension
• Hyperthermia and sweating
• Mydriasis and nystagmus
• Trismus and bruxism
• Anorexia
• Nausea and vomiting
• short term erectile disfunction
For further information concerning the Methylone's effects read New adverse effect
Legal status
- In the Netherlands, methylone is not yet listed under the Opium Law, but is covered under the medicine act
- In New Zealand, although methylone is not explicitly scheduled and falls outside the strict definitions of an "amphetamine analogue" in the Misuse of Drugs Act, it is considered to be "substantially similar" to methcathinone and is thus considered by law enforcement authorities to be a Class C illegal drug.
- In the UK, Methylone is illegal since the 16/04/2010 revision of the misuse of drugs act. Before this it was not specifically mentioned in United Kingdom (U.K.) law
- Canada, although not listed as a Schedule 1 substance, Health Canada reports that methylone falls under the scheduling as an analogue of amphetamine.
- United States, as of October 21, 2011 the DEA has issued an emergency ban on methylone. It is illegal to possess and distribute
Legal status Wikipedia
Massimo Carossa
CdL in Odontoiatria e Protesi Dentaria
