Mephedrone

It is always safest not to take unknown or illicit drugs at all.  However, if you do decide to use Mephedrone, be informed on the risks involved and how to be as safe as possible.

What is it? 

• Mephedrone is a powerful stimulant and is part of a group of drugs that are closely related to amphetamines, like speed and ecstasy.  Mephedrone can be found as crystallised granules or a fine white, off-white or yellowish powder.
• Other names include M, M-CAT and meow-meow.
• Mephedrone is usually snorted like cocaine or is wrapped in paper and swallowed (‘bombed’ is a slang name used for this). It can also be found as capsules and pills and can be smoked.  Much less often, mephedrone is injected (slammed).

What does it do? 

• Mephedrone can make you feel alert, confident, talkative and euphoric – and some people will temporarily feel strong affection to those around them.  Mephedrone can also make users feel sick, paranoid and anxious, and it can cause vomiting and headaches.  It can reduce your appetite, so you don’t feel hungry.
• The effects of mephedrone last for about an hour, but this can vary.

What are the risks?

• Some users have had severe nosebleeds after snorting mephedrone.
• It risks overstimulating and damaging your heart and your circulation.
• There were six deaths involving mephedrone reported in 2011 in England and Wales. Overheating has been a significant cause of deaths when other amphetamine-type drugs, such as ecstasy, have been used along with mephedrone.
• Injecting or ‘slamming’ can also cause damage to veins and arteries, and may cause ulcers and even gangrene (that’s when bits of the body start to die). Research suggests that on average mephedrone is 50% pure, so it’s not just the mephedrone that goes in to your bloodstream. Other effects that people have reported include heart palpitations, insomnia, loss of short-term memory, vertigo (a form of dizziness), grinding of teeth, sweating and uncomfortable changes in body temperature.
• You can become psychologically dependent on meph, which can lead to you craving it.

Is Mephedrone illegal?

• Mephedrone is a Class B drug – so it’s illegal to have for yourself, give away or sell.
• Possession is illegal and can get you up to five years in jail and/or an unlimited fine.
• Supplying someone else, even your friends, can get you fourteen years in jail and/or an unlimited fine.

Tips for safer use:

• Avoid mixing mephedrone with other substances, especially alcohol or other stimulants.
• If you are on antidepressants containing MAOIs (e.g. Selegiline, Moclobemide), avoid using Mephedrone because it can lead to seizures or heart problems.
• Sharing slamming equipment such as needles and syringes could put you at risk of infections such as HIV and hepatitis B and C. Do not share any equipment that has been previously used.