Methylone and mCPP, two new drugs of abuse?

Addict Biol. 2005 Dec;10(4):321-3. doi: 10.1080/13556210500350794.

Abstract

Recently, two new ecstasy-like substances, methylone and mCPP, were found in street drugs in the Netherlands by the Drugs Information and Monitoring System (DIMS). Methylone (3,4-methylenedioxymethcathinone) is the main ingredient of a new liquid designer drug that appeared on the Dutch drug market, called 'Explosion'. mCPP (meta-chlorophenylpiperazine) is a substance often used as a probe for the serotonin function in psychiatric research, and has now been found in street drugs, both in tablets and powders. Methylone as well as mCPP act on monoaminergic systems, resembling MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), with mCPP mainly affecting the serotonin system. The subjective effects of both new substances exhibit subtle differences with those of MDMA. Only little is known about the harmfulness of both methylone and mCPP. However, because of similarities between these substances and MDMA, risks common to MDMA cannot be excluded.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors* / chemistry
  • Biogenic Monoamines / metabolism
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Designer Drugs* / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Illicit Drugs*
  • Methamphetamine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Methamphetamine / chemistry
  • N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine
  • Netherlands
  • Piperazines* / chemistry
  • Receptors, Serotonin / drug effects
  • Serotonin Receptor Agonists* / chemistry
  • Substance-Related Disorders / diagnosis
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / psychology

Substances

  • Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors
  • Biogenic Monoamines
  • Designer Drugs
  • Illicit Drugs
  • Piperazines
  • Receptors, Serotonin
  • Serotonin Receptor Agonists
  • Methamphetamine
  • N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine
  • methylone
  • 1-(3-chlorophenyl)piperazine