Methoxetamine
| Methoxetamine | |
|---|---|
 The skeletal formula of MXE. | |
| Dosage (insufflated) | |
| Threshold | 5 - 20 mg |
| Light | 10 - 50 mg |
| Common | 30 - 75 mg |
| Strong | 60 - 125 mg |
| M-hole | 100 - 250 mg |
| Duration | |
| Total duration | 3 - 5 hrs |
| Onset | 10 - 20 mins |
| Coming up | 15 - 30 mins |
| Peak | 60 - 120 mins |
| Coming down | 60 - 120 mins |
Methoxetamine (MXE) or 3-MeO-2-Oxo-PCE is a chemical of the arylcyclohexylamine class which acts as an NMDA Receptor Antagonist, dopamine-reuptake inhibitor and a serotonin reuptake inhibitor with µ-opioid affinity and typical Dissociative effects.
Methoxetamine was originally developed as a research chemical through the use of intelligent drug design. [1]. It is a chemical derivative of Ketamine that also contains structural features of phencyclidine (PCP) and 3-MeO-PCP. [2]. MXE has almost no history of human usage prior and was first identified by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, which monitors the Internet for new psychoactive substances within the European Union, in November 2010. By July 2011, they had identified 58 websites selling the compound, at a cost of 145–195 euros for 10 grams. [3]
Like other drugs of its class such as Nitrous Oxide and phencyclidine (PCP), it induces a state referred to as "dissociative anesthesia" and is used as a recreational drug. This substance falls into the arylcyclohexylamine class of chemicals, and possesses NMDA receptor antagonist properties. NMDA receptors allow for electrical signals to pass between neurones in the brain and spinal column; for the signals to pass, the receptor must be open. NMDA receptor antagonists close the NMDA receptors by blocking them. This disconnection of neurones leads to loss of feeling, difficulty moving, and eventually the famous “hole”.
Chemistry
MXE is classed as an arylcyclohexylamine drug. The Ar group is methoxybenzene in MXE. The nitrogen has one substituted ethyl group. There is an acetyl group attached at carbon R2.
Pharmacology
MXE is a competitive NMDA receptor antagonist.
Subjective effects
Assuming the substance has been insufflated, the very first physical effect that is noticed is a sharp but relatively painless sensation within the nostril. An unpleasant taste is present for 15 - 20 minutes after insufflation and seems to come and go in an unpredictable manner. The subjective physical effects of MXE however can be broken down into eight components all of which progressively intensify proportional to dosage.
- Disconnection from tactile input
- Spontaneous tactile sensations - the MXE body high is a sharp, pleasurable tingling sensation which is location specific to the hands, feet and head.
- Suppression of touch - this partially to entirely suppresses one's own sense of touch, creating feelings of numbness within the extremities. It is responsible for the anaesthetic properties of this substance.
- Physical autonomy
- Loss of motor control - a loss of gross and fine motor control alongside of balance and coordination is prevalent within nitrous and becomes especially strong at higher dosages. This means that one should be sitting down before the onset unless they are experienced in case of falling over and injuring oneself.
- Euphoria - this results in feelings of physical euphoria which range between mild pleasure to powerfully all encompassing bliss.
- Weightlessness - this creates the sensation that the body is floating and has become entirely weightless. This effect is strangely stimulating and encourages physical activities at low - moderate dosages by making the body feel light and effortless to move.
- Dizziness - although uncommon, some people report dizziness under the influence of MXE.
- Nausea - it's worth noting that high dose MXE trips can sometimes result in nausea and vomiting at the peak of trip. For most people, this is surprisingly not as unpleasant as they would initially expect due to the accompanying detachment from the physical senses.
The general head space of MXE is often described as particularly euphoric and clear headed in comparison to that of DXM and Ketamine. The specific cognitive effects can be broken down into 8 separate subcomponents which are listed and described below:
- Disconnection from consciousness
- Ego suppression, loss and death
- Time distortion
- Euphoria
- Introspection
- Deja-Vu
- Removal of cultural filter
- Conceptual thinking
- Direct communication with the subconscious
- States of unity and interconnectedness
Suppression
This substance does not enhance visual stimuli, instead it tends to degrade and decrease visual aptitude in a variety of ways which generally includes:
- Disconnection from visual input - this eventually results in the MXE's equivalent of the famous "K-hole" or more specifically, holes, space and voids alongside of structures.
- Decreased visual acuity
- Double vision - this component is prevalent at moderate - heavy dosages and makes reading inpossible unless one closes an eye.
- Suppression of pattern recognition - this effect generally occurs at higher dosages and makes one unable to recognize and interpret perceivable visual data.
MXE exhibits a full array of dissociative distortions and alterations in visual perception which generally includes:
The visual geometry found within MXE can be described as simplistic in complexity, slow in movement, large in size, immersive in presence and particularly dark in colour scheme when compared to that of DXM or Ketamine.
At high dosages MXE can produce a full range of high level hallucinatory states in a fashion that that is less consistent and reproducible than that of many other commonly used psychedelic. These effects include:
- Internal hallucinations - These hallucinatory states can be described as containing plots, settings, autonomous entity contact and scenarios. They are more common within dark environments and can be described as internal in their manifestation, lucid in believability and fixed in style. They can include both new experiences and memory replays which are capable of being weeks in length and real time in experience.
- External hallucinations
The auditory effects of MXE are common in their occurrence and exhibit a range of effects which commonly includes:
Toxicity and harm potential
The toxicity and long term health effects of recreational MXE use does not seem to have been studied in any scientific context and the exact toxic dosage is unknown. This is because MXE is a research chemical with very little history of human usage. Anecdotal evidence from people who have tried MXE within the psychedelic community confirm that there do not seem to be any negative health effects attributed to simply trying this drug at low to moderate doses or using it sparingly but nothing can be completely guaranteed.
MXE does not seem to physically addictive but can become habit-forming as there is no real tolerance attributed to this drug, meaning that it could potentially be used multiple days in a row if somebody chose to do so. There have been multiple reports across the internet of people becoming seriously addicted daily users of this substance so serious precautions and considerations should be taken before trying this substance.
Reports of compulsive redosing during high dose trips resulting in over doses have also been reported. This can be prevented by keeping your MXE far away from you when tripping and addiction can be avoided by manually limiting your usage of the drug. It’s worth noting however that just as with most hallucinogens, most users note that the desire to use them can actually decrease with use. In terms of its long term health effects when used repeatedly and with excess for extended periods of time, MXE seems to exhibit almost identical bladder and urinary tract problems to those found within ketamine but to a lesser extent. This is because MXE is 4 times as potent as Ketamine so significantly less of drug needs to be consumed. Symptoms of Ketamine cystitis can become extremely serious and can described as,
- urinary frequency - a need to empty your bladder every few minutes.
- urinary urgency - a sudden, compelling need to urinate
- urinary pressure - a constant sensation of fullness in your bladder that is unrelieved by urination
- pelvic and bladder pain - pain can develop suddenly and severely, particularly as the bladder fills with urine.
- hematuria - visible blood in the urine.
- incontinence - leakage of urine
All of these however can easily be avoided by simply not using MXE on a daily or even weekly basis and manually limiting your usage of the substance.
Lethal Dosage
There is currently no data for the LD50 of MXE in humans.
Tolerance and Addiction Potential
In terms of MXE tolerance, this can take weeks to build up for some but for others it can take a single night of heavy use. Once a physical tolerance to MXE has set itself in, it can often take a month or more to reset itself. MXE has a fairly high potential to be abused.
Legal Issues
- Germany: Possession, production and sale is illegal.
- Japan: Possession, production and sale is illegal.
- Russia: Possession, production and sale is illegal.
- Switzerland: Possession, production and sale is illegal.
- UK: MXE is a Class B drug.
See Also
references
- ↑ Interview with a ketamine chemist | http://www.viceland.com/int/v18n2/htdocs/interview-with-ketamine-chemist-704.php
- ↑ MXE Binding profile | http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/agencies-public-bodies/acmd1/methoxetamine2012?view=Binary
- ↑ Online sales of new psychoactive substances/‘legalhighs’ | http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/attachements.cfm/att_143801_EN_SnapshotSummary.pdf