Compound Monograph
Mephedrone (4-MMC)
Mephedrone (4-MMC) is a synthetic cathinone stimulant and entactogen related to the natural cathinones of khat.
Sources · 1
Where Does It Come From?
Mephedrone (4-MMC) is a synthetic substituted cathinone (amphetamine class), found in Structurally related to cathinone from khat ; mephedrone itself is synthetic. It is flagged as moderately toxic.
Concentration
Content by Source
Concentrations not reported. No percent-dry-weight or mg/g figures have been published for this compound in its source plants.
Research & Evidence
Mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone, 4-MMC) is a synthetic cathinone, a chemical class based on the cathinone found naturally in the khat plant. It acts as a stimulant and entactogen, increasing release of dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin, with effects that users compare to a mixture of MDMA and amphetamine. It became widely available as a “legal high” around 2009-2010 before being banned in many countries. Despite a database label of “natural”, mephedrone is a synthetic drug rather than a plant constituent.
Toxicity & Safety
Mephedrone can cause marked rises in heart rate and blood pressure, agitation, overheating, jaw clenching and strong cravings that encourage compulsive redosing. Heavy or repeated use has been linked to serious cardiovascular and psychiatric harms, and combining it with other stimulants or serotonergic drugs is dangerous. It is a controlled substance in the United States and many other countries.
Dosage
Recreational and harm-reduction sources describe a common oral range of roughly 45 to 80 mg, but redosing often pushes total intake much higher. These figures describe reported use and are not a recommendation.
