Mkat is the common street term for Mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone or 4-MMC). This substance belongs to the family of synthetic cathinones, a type of New Psychoactive Substance (NPS). Mephedrone is a powerful illicit stimulant producing effects similar to amphetamines, MDMA, and cocaine by altering brain chemistry. Its popularity grew when it was initially marketed as a “legal high” before being widely controlled.
Mephedrone: Identification and Chemical Class
Mephedrone is a synthetic molecule structurally related to cathinone, an alkaloid found in the khat plant (Catha edulis). Chemically, it is classified as a beta-ketone amphetamine, making it a potent central nervous system stimulant.
The substance is typically encountered as a white or off-white powder, or sometimes pressed into tablets. Because it often lacks quality control regarding purity and dosage, it was initially marketed as a “research chemical” or “bath salt.” Common methods of administration include nasal insufflation (snorting), oral ingestion (swallowing), or intravenous injection.
Immediate Physiological and Psychological Effects
Mephedrone’s acute effects stem from its mechanism of action as a non-selective monoamine transporter substrate. It powerfully inhibits the reuptake of and promotes the release of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. This rapid flood of signaling chemicals in the brain creates the drug’s desired stimulant effects.
Users commonly report intense short-term psychological effects, including euphoria, increased sociability, and enhanced empathy. Other effects include a boost in alertness, talkativeness, and an elevated appreciation for music. Since mephedrone is rapidly metabolized, its effects are relatively short-lived, often leading to compulsive re-dosing behavior.
Acute Health Risks and Toxicity
The stimulant properties of mephedrone pose significant and immediate dangers to the cardiovascular system. The drug causes a pronounced sympathomimetic response, often resulting in tachycardia (rapid heart rate) and hypertension (high blood pressure). Users may experience heart palpitations and chest pain, which can lead to dangerous cardiac arrhythmias.
Peripheral vasoconstriction is a common physical risk, where blood vessels narrow, causing reduced circulation visible as cold or blue extremities. A major consequence of mephedrone use is hyperthermia, or dangerously elevated body temperature. This overheating, combined with increased physical activity and lack of fluid intake, can quickly lead to severe dehydration and organ damage.
The psychological risks are equally severe and include acute psychosis and extreme agitation. Users may experience paranoia, severe anxiety, confusion, and visual or auditory hallucinations. These intense reactions can trigger erratic and dangerous behavior, which, combined with hyperthermia, is associated with fatalities. Mephedrone exposure has also been associated with seizures and acute kidney injury.
Regulatory Classification
Due to its potent stimulant properties and documented public health risks, mephedrone is subject to strict legal controls globally. In the United States, it is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance under the federal Controlled Substances Act. This designation signifies that the substance has a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use.
Similarly, in the United Kingdom, mephedrone is controlled as a Class B substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Possession, manufacturing, and distribution of mephedrone are serious offenses in these jurisdictions and carry significant penalties, including substantial fines and long-term imprisonment.