Not to be confused with Methadone (opiate substitutes for heroin).

Sold as plant food and marked ‘Not for human consumption’ to get around medicine legislation, mephedrone contains synthetic (artificial) cathinones. Cathinone is a naturally occurring stimulant drug found in the khat plant. Sold as a white powder or in capsules, mephedrone is either snorted or swallowed (wrapping a dose in cigarette papers and ‘bombed’). Snorting mephedrone can cause ‘nose burns’ with some people having experienced nose bleeds.

A stimulant drug, the effects are similar to amphetamines (‘speed’) and MDMA (Ecstasy) and can include euphoria, empathy and an increase in energy, alertness and talkativeness. Side-effects can include dilated pupils, dry mouth, hot flushes, erratic heart beats, muscular tension (especially in the jaw), paranoia and anxiety. After-effects (comedown) include insomnia, fatigue, dizziness, low mood and lack of appetite. Comedowns may last well into the next day (maybe even longer). There have been some reports of people suffering rashes and even parts of the body turning blue.

All drugs contain risks. If people don’t want the risk, don’t do drugs. However, if people choose to take mephedrone here are some tips to reduce the risks;