Methylone (bk-MDMA)
Methylone (3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylcathinone, bk-MDMA) is the beta-keto analogue of MDMA and a monoamine releaser with entactogenic and stimulant effects. It was briefly sold as 'Explosion' and as an MDMA substitute. It is among the better-studied cathinones, though human data remain limited to pharmacology studies, surveys and toxicology rather than therapeutic trials.
01 Overview
Methylone shares MDMA's methylenedioxy ring but is less potent and shorter-acting, with a somewhat more stimulating and less empathogenic character. It has been used as an MDMA adulterant or replacement, taken orally and by insufflation.
Compared with most novel cathinones it has more supporting pharmacology, including human metabolism and transporter data, but no controlled therapeutic trials. Reported harms include cardiovascular strain, serotonergic effects with hyperthermia risk when combined with other serotonergic drugs, severe comedown, and unconfirmed long-term neurotoxicity.
02 Mechanism
Non-selective monoamine releaser and reuptake inhibitor at serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine transporters, with proportionally more serotonergic activity than the pyrrolidine cathinones, giving entactogen-like effects.
03 Dosing
| Tier | Dose | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light | 50–100 mg | Insufflated | Faster onset; harsh nasally. |
| Light | 100–150 mg | Oral | Onset ~30-60 min; shorter and less potent than MDMA. |
| Common | 150–250 mg | Oral | Redosing common due to short duration. |
04 Effects
| Effect | Magnitude | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entactogenic warmth and sociabilityMDMA-like empathy and openness, though weaker and shorter. | Anecdotal | ||
| Stimulation and euphoriaEnergy, mood elevation and increased sociability. | Anecdotal | ||
| Compulsive redosingShort duration prompts repeated dosing within a session. | Observational |
05 Side effects
| Effect | Severity | Frequency | Evidence | Countermeasures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe comedownLow mood, fatigue and irritability after use. | Moderate | Very common | Observational | |
| Long-term neurotoxicity (unknown)Serotonergic neurotoxicity is plausible by analogy to MDMA but unestablished for methylone in humans. | Moderate | Unknown | Unconfirmed | |
| Cardiovascular strainTachycardia, hypertension and palpitations reported. | Severe | Common | Observational | |
| Serotonergic effects and hyperthermia riskOverheating, sweating and risk of serotonin toxicity, especially combined with other serotonergic drugs or in hot environments. | Severe | Uncommon | Observational |