Ethylone

Ethylone, or 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-ethylcathinone, is a synthetic molecule of the cathinone family. Cathinones are structurally similar to amphetamines in that they contain a phenethylamine core featuring a phenyl ring bound to an amino (NH2) group through an ethyl chain with an additional methyl substitution at R_α. Cathinones such as ethylone are alpha-methylated phenethylamines (i.e. amphetamines) but differ from them with the addition of a ketone functional group (a carbonyl group at R_β). Ethylone contains an ethyl substitution at R_N, a substitution which is shared with drugs like MDEA, 4-MEC, and certain other stimulants and entactogens. Additionally, ethylone contains substitutions at R₃ and R₄ of the phenyl ring with oxygen groups. These oxygen groups are incorporated into a methylenedioxy ring through a methylene chain. Ethylone shares this methylenedioxy ring with MDA, MDAI and MDMA.

Ethylone acts as a mixed reuptake inhibitor/releasing agent of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.^[2][3] These are the neurotransmitters in charge of pleasure, reward, motivation and focus. This is done by inhibiting the reuptake and reabsorption of the neurotransmitters after they have performed their function of transmitting a neural impulse, essentially allowing them to accumulate and be reused, causing physically stimulating and euphoric effects.

In comparison to methylone, it has approximately over 3x lower affinity for the serotonin transporter (which itself has 3x lower affinity than MDMA), while its affinity for the norepinephrine and dopamine transporters is similar.^[4][3] The results of these differences in pharmacology relative to methylone is that ethylone is less potent in terms of dose, has more balanced catecholaminergic effects relative to serotonergic, and behaves more like a reuptake inhibitor like methylphenidate than a releaser like amphetamine; however, ethylone still has relatively robust releasing capabilities.^[4]

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: Ethylone

The toxicity and long-term health effects of recreational ethylone use do not seem to have been studied in any scientific context and the exact toxic dosage is unknown. This is because methylone has very little history of human usage. Anecdotal evidence from people who have tried ethylone within the community suggest that there do not seem to be any negative health effects attributed to simply trying this drug at low to moderate doses by itself and using it sparingly (but nothing can be completely guaranteed).

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

Dependence and abuse potential

As with other stimulants, the chronic use of ethylone can be considered moderately addictive with a high potential for abuse and is capable of causing psychological dependence among certain users. When addiction has developed, cravings and withdrawal effects may occur if a person suddenly stops their usage.

Tolerance to many of the effects of ethylone 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 3 - 7 days for the tolerance to be reduced to half and 1 - 2 weeks to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). Ethylone presents cross-tolerance with all dopaminergic stimulants, meaning that after the consumption of ethylone all stimulants will have a reduced effect.

Psychosis

Abuse of compounds within the stimulant 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).^[5] A review on treatment for amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, and methamphetamine abuse-induced psychosis states that about 5–15% of users fail to recover completely.^[5][6] The same review asserts that, based upon at least one trial, antipsychotic medications effectively resolve the symptoms of acute amphetamine psychosis.^[5] Psychosis very rarely arises from therapeutic use.^[7]

Dangerous interactions

Although many drugs are safe on their own, they can become dangerous and even life-threatening when combined with other substances. The list below contains some common potentially dangerous combinations, but may not include all of them. Certain combinations may be safe in low doses of each but still increase the potential risk of death. Independent research should always be done to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe before consumption.

• Stimulants - Ethylone 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 Ethylone 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 - Ethylone 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^[8] and combinations with stimulants may further increase this risk.
• Cocaine - This combination may increase strain on the heart.

Serotonin syndrome risk

Combinations with the following substances can cause dangerously high serotonin levels. Serotonin syndrome requires immediate medical attention and can be fatal if left untreated.

• MAOIs - Such as banisteriopsis caapi, syrian rue, phenelzine, selegiline, and moclobemide.^[9]
• Serotonin releasers - Such as MDMA, 4-FA, methamphetamine, methylone and αMT.
• SSRIs - Such as citalopram and sertraline
• SNRIs - Such as tramadol and venlafaxine
• 5-HTP

• Brazil: Ethylone is illegal to possess, produce, and sell under Portaria SVS/MS nº 344.^[10]
• China: As of October 2015, Ethylone is a controlled substance in China.^[11]
• Germany: Ethylone is controlled under Anlage I BtMG (Narcotics Act, Schedule I)^[12] as of December 13, 2014.^[13] It is illegal to manufacture, possess, import, export, buy, sell, procure or dispense it without a license.^[14]
• Sweden: Ethylone is a controlled substance since 1992^[15]
• Switzerland: Ethylone is a controlled substance specifically named under Verzeichnis D.^[16]
• United Kingdom: Ethylone is a Class B drug in the United Kingdom as a result of the cathinone catch-all clause.^[17]
• United States: Ethylone is unscheduled in the United States. However it could be considered an analog of methylone or MDMA, thus putting it under the scope of the Federal Analog Act.^{[citation needed]}

• Responsible use
• Research chemical
• Substituted cathinone
• Entactogen
• Stimulants
• Methylone
• MDEA

• Ethylone (Wikipedia)
• bk-MDEA (Erowid Vault)
• Ethylone (Isomer Design)

Discussion

• Ethylone / BK-MDEA (Bluelight)