Research chemicalCathinoneStimulantResearch chemical

Butylone (bk-MBDB)

Also known as Butylone · bk-MBDB · beta-keto-MBDB

Written by enwyReviewed 4 Aug 20262 sources0 comments

Butylone (bk-MBDB) is a methylenedioxy synthetic cathinone with entactogen-stimulant effects, the beta-keto analogue of MBDB and a homologue of methylone. It circulated as an MDMA-like research chemical, with human knowledge limited to case reports and forensic data.

01 Overview

Butylone is a ring-substituted (3,4-methylenedioxy) cathinone with an extended side chain, giving a milder, more stimulant-leaning entactogen profile than MDMA. It was widely sold as a research chemical and "legal ecstasy" substitute.

No controlled human pharmacokinetic or safety studies exist. It appears in toxicology case series, often mixed with other entactogens, and is scheduled internationally under cathinone and methylenedioxy provisions.

02 Mechanism

Acts as a mixed monoamine releaser and reuptake inhibitor with substantial serotonergic activity from its methylenedioxy ring, producing MDMA-like entactogenic effects with a stimulant component.

03 Dosing

Tier	Dose	Route	Notes
Light	30–80 mg	Insufflated	Harsh; faster onset.
Light	50–100 mg	Oral	Anecdotal only.
Common	100–200 mg	Oral	User-reported entactogen range.

04 Effects

Effect	Magnitude	Evidence
Entactogenic effectsEmpathy, emotional openness and closeness, milder than MDMA.		Anecdotal
Stimulation and euphoriaEnergy and mood lift with a stimulant edge.		Anecdotal
Increased sociabilityTalkativeness and social warmth.		Anecdotal

05 Side effects

Effect	Severity	Frequency	Evidence
Compulsive redosingFading entactogenic effects encourage repeated dosing.	Moderate	Common	Anecdotal
ComedownLow mood and fatigue for days, similar to MDMA afterglow crash.	Moderate	Near-universal	Anecdotal
Cardiovascular strainTachycardia, hypertension and hyperthermia risk, especially with exertion.	Severe	Common	Observational
Unknown neurotoxicitySerotonergic neurotoxicity potential unstudied in humans.	Severe	Unknown	Unconfirmed

06 Legal status

Germany

NpSG

as of Jan 2026

United Kingdom

Class B

as of Jan 2026

United States

Schedule I

Listed synthetic cathinone. · as of Jan 2026

07 References

Butylone pharmacology and toxicologyPubMed

EUDA — synthetic cathinones drug profileEuropean Union Drugs Agency

08 Discussion0 comments

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This page is reference information, not medical advice. Doses and protocols are documented as they appear in the clinical literature and in practice — describing them is not a recommendation to use them. Countermeasures listed here are not a substitute for a physician. Legal status varies by jurisdiction and changes.