A recent research shown that “progressive” clubbers may be swapping ecstasy and cocaine for mephedrone. Sounds a lot like methadone, but it is a completely different substance: methadone is a pharmaceutical drug normally used as a very strong painkiller or to treat heroin addicts, and mephedrone is a recreational drug with effects similar to amphetamines and ecstasy.

Little known to others, mephedrone is a number four in favorites among other club-related substances. Surprised? Never heard about this powder? Well, here is some information to get you updated.

Mephedrone is snorted in alike cocaine, but this white powder is actually legal in UK ( in other countries like Israel, Denmark, Norway and Sweden it is already illegal.)  It is also can be called Meph, 4-MMC, MCAT, Drone, Meow, etc. It is also found in capsules and pills or can be dissolved in a liquid, and in very rare cases can be injected. The effects of mephedrone are described as a mix between ecstasy and cocaine – person feels more alert, confident and talkative, and usually wears off in around an hour. Side effects are reported to be similar to cocaine and ecstasy use – excess sweating, headaches, heart palpitations, nausea, etc. Also, some side effects similar to the ones from amphetamines are reported also – hallucinations, paranoia, panic attacks, etc.

Mephedrone wasn’t developed in the laboratories with human testing, so officially the long-term effects of this drug are unknown. As of now, it is unknown if mephedrone is physically addictive, but is has been reported that the users find it difficult to stop.

Meanwhile the drug is sold on the British web-sites with labels like: “plant feeder” or “research chemical” and “not for human consumption.” It is also available in headshops and is starting to be sold by street drug dealer along with cocaine and ecstasy, as mephedrone gains popularity rather quickly.