ETH-CAT

Ethylcathinone, or ETH-CAT, is a synthetic alkaloid of the substituted cathinone class. Substituted cathinones are all derivatives of cathinone, a stimulant substance which is structurally and functionally related to amphetamine and the principal active psychoactive component present in the khat plant (Catha edulis). The cathinone molecule is comprised of a phenethylamine core featuring a phenyl ring bound to an amino (NH₂) group at the end of an ethyl side-chain that contains ketone group in the beta position.

In distinction to its N-methylated lower homolog, methcathinone (M-CAT), ETH-CAT possesses an additional ethyl substitution at R_α. ETH-CAT can be thought of as the cathinone analog of ethylamphetamine given it has the same general formula, differing only by the addition of a single double-bonded oxygen (i.e. the ketone group).

Although the effects of ETH-CAT have not been formally studied on the same level as traditional amphetamines or other substituted cathinones like methcathinone, it is possible to speculate that like other simple substituted cathinone, it most likely acts principally as a dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.^[4] It however has been shown that ETH-CAT is a selective substrate for the norepinephrine transporter (NET).^[5]

The result of this is an effective increase in the levels of catecholamine neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain by binding to and partially blocking the transporter proteins that normally clear these neurotransmitters from the synaptic cleft. This enables dopamine and norepinephrine to accumulate between the synaptic clefts of key regions of the brain associated with reward, motivation, satisfaction and pleasure to extra-endogenous levels. This mechanism is thought to account for the stimulating, motivation enhancing and euphoric effects that this substance produces.

At low to moderate doses, ETH-CAT has been reported as being a relatively functional and effective amphetamine-like stimulant for performing general productivity tasks. It has a noticeably short duration of activity combined with a tendency to produce long-lasting residual stimulation well after the main effects have worn off, which can promote patterns of compulsive redosing in order to maintain a steady level of the desired amount of physical and cognitive stimulation.

However, at higher doses, it becomes less of a productivity-oriented stimulant and takes on a recreational character, perhaps owing to the inherently distracting nature of the type of thought acceleration and cognitive euphoria it can induce. However, even at high doses, it is reported as falling short of many other, far more hedonic and recreational substituted cathinones such as mephedrone, methylone, and methcathinone (M-CAT).

Disclaimer: The effects listed below cite the Subjective Effect Index (SEI), an open research literature based on anecdotal user reports and the personal analyses of PsychonautWiki contributors. As a result, they should be viewed with a healthy degree of skepticism.

It is also worth noting that these effects will not necessarily occur in a predictable or reliable manner, although higher doses are more liable to induce the full spectrum of effects. Likewise, adverse effects become increasingly likely with higher doses and may include addiction, severe injury, or death ☠.

Experience reports

There are currently no anecdotal reports which describe the effects of this compound within our experience index. Additional experience reports can be found here:

• Erowid Experience Vaults: Ethylcathinone

The toxicity and long-term health effects of recreational ETH-CAT use do not seem to have been studied in any scientific context and the exact toxic dosage is unknown. This is because ETH-CAT has very little history of human usage. Anecdotal reports from people within the community who have tried ETH-CAT suggest that there do not seem to be any negative health effects attributed to simply trying this substance at low to moderate doses by itself and using it sparingly (although nothing can be completely guaranteed). Others have commented that its d-isomer form is virtually similar to the effects of d-isomer amphetamine, and has thus far shown little reason to suspect that its toxicity is radically different (though this has yet to be scientifically validated).^{[citation needed]}

It is strongly recommended that one use harm reduction practices when using this substance.

Tolerance and addiction potential

As with other stimulants, ETH-CAT may also possess habit-forming or reinforcing properties. Compared with other stimulants, however, chronic use of ETH-CAT is more likely to be considered to be only mildly addictive with a comparatively low potential for abuse. Early studies demonstrate ETH-CAT suppresses cocaine self-administration in rhesus monkeys, without the adverse effects associated with older dopamine releasing agent (e.g., amphetamine).^{[citation needed]} Despite this, ethcathinone may still be capable of causing psychological dependence among certain users.

Tolerance to many of the effects of ETH-CAT develops with prolonged and repeated use. This results in users having to administer increasingly large doses to achieve the same effects. After that, it takes about 2 - 3 days for the tolerance to be reduced to half and 3-5 days to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). ETH-CAT presents cross-tolerance with all dopaminergic stimulants, meaning that after the consumption of ETH-CAT all stimulants will have a reduced effect.

Psychosis

Abuse of compounds within the amphetamine chemical class at high dosages for prolonged periods of time can potentially result in a stimulant psychosis that may present with a variety of symptoms (e.g., paranoia, hallucinations, or delusions).^[6] A review on treatment for amphetamine and methamphetamine abuse-induced psychosis states that about 5–15% of users fail to recover completely.^[6][7] The same review asserts that, based upon at least one trial, antipsychotic medications effectively resolve the symptoms of acute amphetamine psychosis.^[6] Psychosis is known to arises only very rarely from therapeutic use.^[8]

Dangerous interactions

Warning: Many psychoactive substances that are reasonably safe to use on their own can suddenly become dangerous and even life-threatening when combined with certain other substances. The following list provides some known dangerous interactions (although it is not guaranteed to include all of them).

Always conduct independent research (e.g. Google, DuckDuckGo, PubMed) to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe to consume. Some of the listed interactions have been sourced from TripSit.

• MAOIs - This combination may increase the amount of neurotransmitters such as dopamine to dangerous or even fatal levels. Examples include syrian rue, banisteriopsis caapi, and some antidepressants.^[9]
• Stimulants - Ethylcathinone can be potentially dangerous in combination with other stimulants as it can increase one's heart rate and blood pressure to dangerous levels.

• 25x-NBOMe & 25x-NBOH - 25x compounds are highly stimulating and physically straining. Combinations with ETH-CAT should be strictly avoided due to the risk of excessive stimulation and heart strain. This can result in increased blood pressure, vasoconstriction, panic attacks, thought loops, seizures, and heart failure in extreme cases.
• Alcohol - Combining alcohol with stimulants can be dangerous due to the risk of accidental over-intoxication. Stimulants mask alcohol's depressant effects, which is what most people use to assess their degree of intoxication. Once the stimulant wears off, the depressant effects will be left unopposed, which can result in blackouts and severe respiratory depression. If mixing, the user should strictly limit themselves to only drinking a certain amount of alcohol per hour.
• DXM - Combinations with DXM should be avoided due to its inhibiting effects on serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake. There is an increased risk of panic attacks and hypertensive crisis, or serotonin syndrome with serotonin releasers (MDMA, methylone, mephedrone, etc.). Monitor blood pressure carefully and avoid strenuous physical activity.
• MDMA - Any neurotoxic effects of MDMA are likely to be increased when other stimulants are present. There is also a risk of excessive blood pressure and heart strain (cardiotoxicity).
• MXE - Some reports suggest combinations with MXE may dangerously increase blood pressure and increase the risk of mania and psychosis.
• Dissociatives - Both classes carry a risk of delusions, mania and psychosis, and these risk may be multiplied when combined.
• Stimulants - ETH-CAT may be dangerous to combine with other stimulants like cocaine as they can increase one's heart rate and blood pressure to dangerous levels.
• Tramadol - Tramadol is known to lower the seizure threshold^[10] and combinations with stimulants may further increase this risk.
• MDMA - The neurotoxic effects of MDMA may be increased when combined with amphetamines.
• Cocaine - This combination may increase strain on the heart to dangerous levels.

ETH-CAT is currently a grey area compound within many parts of the world. People may still be charged for its possession under certain circumstances such as under analogue laws and with intent to sell or consume.

• Brazil: On September 7, 2018, all cathinone analogues are controlled substances considered illegal to possess, use and distribute. This was made possible due to a blanket ban law appended to Portaria SVS/MS nº 344.^[11]
• China: As of October 2015 Ethylcathinone is a controlled substance in China.^[12]
• Denmark: Ethcathinone, along with mephedrone and flephedrone, was banned in Denmark on December 18, 2008.^[13]
• Germany: Ethylcathinone is controlled under Anlage II BtMG (Narcotics Act, Schedule II)^[14] as of July 26, 2012.^[15] It is illegal to manufacture, possess, import, export, buy, sell, procure or dispense it without a license.^[16]
• Poland: Ethylcathinone is a Group I-P controlled substance.^[17]
• Sweden: Ethylcathinone in list I.^[18]
• Switzerland: Ethylcathinone is a controlled substance specifically named under Verzeichnis E.^[19]
• United Kingdom: Ethylcathinone is a Class B drug in the United Kingdom as a result of the cathinone catch-all clause.^[20]
• United States: Ethylcathinone may be considered to be an analogue of amphetamine under the Federal Analogue Act.The Federal Analogue Act, 21 U.S.C. § 813, is a section of the United States Controlled Substances Act, allowing any chemical "substantially similar" to an illegal drug (in Schedule I or II) to be treated as if it were also in Schedule I or II, but only if it is intended for human consumption.^[21]

• Responsible use
• Stimulants
• Substituted cathinone
• Amphetamine

• Ethcathinone (Wikipedia)
• Ethcathinone (Erowid Vault)
• ETH-CAT (Isomer Design)