Methcathinone, (α-methylamino-propiophenone or ephedrone) (sometimes called "cat" or "jeff" or "Charlie" ) is a monoamine alkaloid and psychoactivestimulant, a substituted cathinone. It is used as a recreational drug and considered to be addictive. It is usually snorted, but can be smoked, injected, or taken orally.

 

Methcathinone hydrochloride increases spontaneous rodent locomotor activity, potentiates the release of dopamine from dopaminergic nerve terminals in the brain, and causes appetite suppression. Users can easily forget to consume fluids leading to increased thirst and dehydration. The effects of methcathinone are similar to those of methamphetamine, initially deemed to be less intense by the inexperienced user, and often more euphoric. The effects have been compared to those of cocaine, since it commonly causes hypertension (elevated blood pressure) and tachycardia (elevated heart rate).

 

Reported effects include:

• Feelings of euphoria

• Increased alertness

• Slurred speech

• Shaking of the limbs

• Increased heart rate

• Risk of blood clots on the brain, heart attacks or strokes

• Headaches or Migraine attacks

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or pains in the stomach

• Increased empathy and sense of communication

• Both decreased and increased sexual function and desire

• Bruxism

•  

The effects of methcathinone usually last from four to six hours