Synthetic cathinones are a group of drugs that speed up messages between the brain and the body. They can make you feel more alert or energetic.
They can come as powders or crystals that people:
- swallow - mixed in a drink or wrapped in cigarette paper (bomb)
- rub in their mouth or gums (dab)
- snort
- inject
The powders can be white, yellow or brown.
Synthetic cathinones were made to mimic the effects of khat. Khat is a plant that contains the chemical cathinone.
Synthetic cathinones may be sold as research chemicals. But this does not mean that they are legal or safe.
Drug category: stimulant
Stimulants speed up messages between the brain and body. They can make you feel alert or energetic. But they can also cause anxiety, paranoia and heart problems.
Other names for synthetic cathinones
Other names include: 2-CMC, 3-CMC, 4-CMC, 3-MMC, 4-MMC, alpha-PVP, bath salts, butylone, drone, M1, M-CAT, MDPV, MDPBP, meow meow, meph, mephedrone, methylone, miow, monkey dust, pentedron, plant food, pyrovalerone, snow blow, substituted cathinones
Effects of synthetic cathinones
The effects of synthetic cathinones can vary depending on:
- your size, weight and sex
- if you have any health conditions or mental health difficulties
- how you take the drug
- the strength of the drug
- how much you take
- if you take alcohol, medicines or other drugs at the same time
- where you take the drug and how you feel before you take it
- if you have taken the drug before and how often
The effects start within 20 to 90 minutes and can last for 2 to 4 hours.
How you may feel or behave
You may feel:
- alert, energetic or confident
- confused, paranoid or anxious
- intense wellbeing or happiness (euphoria)
- agitated or aggressive
Effects on your brain and body
Synthetic cathinones may cause:
- nausea (feeling sick)
- vomiting (getting sick)
- teeth grinding or jaw clenching
- flushed skin, increased sweating or overheating
- skin rash
- increased blood pressure and heart rate
- chest pain
- lower inhibitions or increased sex drive
- loss of appetite - this can affect your health and energy levels over time
- dehydration
- problems sleeping
- problems with thinking and memory
- nose damage - if you snort it
- vein damage - if you inject it
- hallucinations - you may see, feel or hear things that are not there
- seizures (fits)
- psychosis - you have confused thoughts, feelings and behaviour and you do not know what is real or not real
- heart problems - if you use it often
Synthetic cathinones and mental health
Synthetic cathinones can cause mental health difficulties or make existing difficulties worse. The effects on your mental health can last after other effects of the drug have stopped.
Regular use or high doses of synthetic cathinones can lead to:
- anxiety
- depression
- mood swings or aggression
- paranoia
- thoughts of suicide
- psychosis
Comedowns
A comedown is how you feel as the drug leaves your system.
Comedowns from synthetic cathinones can happen quickly. You may feel tired or anxious.
Other symptoms can last days, such as:
- problems sleeping
- dizziness
- low mood
- memory loss
- depression
- anxiety
- paranoia
- thoughts of suicide
Synthetic cathinones and dependency
Regular use of synthetic cathinones can cause:
- tolerance - when you need to take more of the drug to get the same effects
- dependency
Signs of dependency can include:
- cravings for a drug
- withdrawal symptoms
- continuing to use a drug even when it causes you harm
Withdrawal symptoms
If you stop taking synthetic cathinones after regular use, you may get withdrawal symptoms.
These include:
- depression
- anxiety
- tremors
- problems sleeping
- paranoia
How long do synthetic cathinones stay in your system?
It can be hard to know how long synthetic cathinones stays in your system.
There are tests to detect cathinones. But different types of tests have different detection times.
Things that affect how long a drug stays in your system
The time it takes for a drug to leave your system depends on many things.
For example:
- how much you took
- how often you take the drug
- how strong the drug was
- your age, sex and metabolism
- your general health
Reducing risks from synthetic cathinones
It’s always safest not to take drugs. There are many types of synthetic cathinones. They may affect you in a different way each time.
There are ways to reduce the risk of harm if you use synthetic cathinones. Select a piece of advice to find out more.
Consider if there is extra risk for you - such as health conditions or how you feel.
There are always risks if you use drugs. But some people may be more at risk than others.
If you or someone in your family has any health conditions or mental health difficulties, you may be more at risk of a drug emergency.
For example, you have a higher risk of negative effects from synthetic cathinones if you have:
- heart problems
- bipolar disorder
- a higher risk of psychosis
It can be hard to know your level of risk. Some people have health conditions and do not know it.
If you feel low, anxious or stressed, you are more at risk of a negative or challenging experience.
Be with people you trust - use a buddy system if possible.
Pick a meeting point and look out for each other. Do not use alone.
Prepare a plan with your buddy on what to do in case of an emergency.
This may be that you both agree to:
- learn the signs of an overdose
- call the emergency services
- stay with the other person until help arrives
Start with a small amount and wait 2 hours before you take more.
This is to reduce the risk of an overdose or drug emergency.
The contents or strength of drugs can vary, even in the same batch.
If you start with a small amount, you can:
- see how you react
- stop if you get an effect you did not expect or do not want
It can take up to 2 hours for some effects to happen. If you take too much too soon, it increases your risk.
Keep track of what you use.
Only take with you what you intend to use. This can reduce the risk of taking too much in 1 session.
To keep track of what you use each session, you could:
- set an alarm
- note the time you use - for example, take a screenshot on your phone
Leave as long as possible between use. Wait at least a few months to reduce the risk of problems with your mental health and wellbeing.
Take breaks to rest and cool down.
This is to reduce the risk of dehydration and overheating. Synthetic cathinones can increase your body temperature.
If you're dancing when you use synthetic cathinones, take regular breaks. You can put a wet cloth or t-shirt on your forehead if you feel too hot.
Sip water or sports drinks - but not more than 1 pint an hour.
This is to reduce the risk of dehydration and water intoxication. Synthetic cathinones can increase your body temperature and make you thirsty.
But if you drink too much water, your body pushes the extra water into your cells. The extra water causes a salt imbalance and swelling in your brain cells.
Stay in a safe place away from risks such as heights, roads or water.
This is to reduce the risk of accidents or injuries. Synthetic cathinones can affect your control of your body and make you less aware of your surroundings.
Plan a safe way to get home.
It is dangerous to drive if drugs are in your system. You could harm yourself or other people. A drug can still be in your system even if you do not feel the effects.
Think about your sexual health.
Synthetic cathinones can reduce your inhibitions and make you feel affectionate. There are things you can do to look after yourself and your partners if you could have sex when you take drugs.
Find safe ways to cope with comedowns.
Using drugs or alcohol to cope with comedowns can make you feel worse.
Try to:
- get enough sleep or rest
- eat well
- keep in contact with friends and check if they are OK too
- talk to someone you trust about how you feel if you had a negative experience or witnessed something that worries you
- do some light activity, such as a walk - it releases chemicals in your brain that improve your mood (endorphins)
- do some relaxation exercises to manage stress, anxiety and worry
- take regular breaks from drugs and alcohol
- get medical advice if you have thoughts or feelings that worry you
Know what to do in case of a drug emergency.
If you take any kind of drug, it is important to know:
- ways to cope with challenging experiences
- signs of a drug emergency, including signs related to mental health
- what to do in case of overdose or other emergencies
If you know what to do during a challenging experience, it could stop a situation getting worse and help you support someone.
But it is always safest to get medical advice if someone has overwhelming or unexpected effects.
Getting help can prevent serious damage or death. Your wellbeing is the main priority.
Mixing synthetic cathinones with alcohol or other drugs
Using synthetic cathinones with alcohol, medicines or other drugs can have unpredictable and negative effects.
This increases the risk of overdose or other drug emergencies.
Emergency action required: Call 112 or 999 if
you or someone else has taken synthetic cathinones and has:
- a very fast or irregular heartbeat
- problems breathing
- blue or grey lips, hands or feet
- a seizure (fit)
- severe distress, confusion or panic - they cannot calm down and may be a danger to themselves or others
- temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or higher
Stay with the person until help arrives.
Tell the medics everything you know about the drug and give them any leftover drug if possible. It will help them decide the right treatment.
If you are worried about synthetic cathinone use
If you are worried about your own or someone else’s use, you can find support. This can be when synthetic cathinone use affects your health, relationships, work or other areas of your life.
Non-urgent advice: Drugs and alcohol helpline
You can contact the helpline for support, information or advice on treatment and support options.
Freephone: 1800 459 459
Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm
Email: helpline@hse.ie