This is an unofficial archive of PsychonautWiki as of 2025-08-11T15:14:44Z. Content on this page may be outdated, incomplete, or inaccurate. Please refer to the original page for the most up-to-date information.
* Wallach, J., Kang, H., Colestock, T., Morris, H., Bortolotto, Z. A., Collingridge, G. L., ... & Adejare, A. (2016). Pharmacological investigations of the dissociative ‘legal highs’ diphenidine, methoxphenidine and analogues. PLoS One, 11(6), e0157021. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0157021
* Wallach, J., Kang, H., Colestock, T., Morris, H., Bortolotto, Z. A., Collingridge, G. L., ... & Adejare, A. (2016). Pharmacological investigations of the dissociative ‘legal highs’ diphenidine, methoxphenidine and analogues. PLoS One, 11(6), e0157021. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0157021
* * Morris, H., & Wallach, J. (2014). From PCP to MXE: A comprehensive review of the non-medical use of dissociative drugs. Drug Testing and Analysis, 6(7–8), 614–632. https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.1620
* Morris, H., & Wallach, J. (2014). From PCP to MXE: A comprehensive review of the non-medical use of dissociative drugs. Drug Testing and Analysis, 6(7–8), 614–632. https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.1620
This compound was first reported in a 1989 patent where it was tested as a treatment for neurotoxic injury.[2] It has no history of non-medical use before the 2013 UK ban on arylcyclohexylamines, when it and the related compound diphenidine became available on the online research chemicals market in both powder and tablet form.[3] It has been marketed as a replacement for MXE despite many users reporting qualitatively different effects. It is an example of a designer drug specifically chosen to mimic the functional and structural features of commonly used illicit substances and circumvent government regulation.[4][5]
Very little data exists about the pharmacological properties, metabolism, and toxicity of methoxphenidine in humans, and it has a limited history of human usage. A number of fatal and non-fatal overdoses have been linked to the abuse of these compounds.[1]
Methoxphenidine, or 2-MeO-Diphenidine is a molecule of the diarylethylamine class. It contains a substituted phenethylamine skeleton with an additional phenyl ring bound to Rα. The terminal amino group of the phenethylamine chain is incorporated into a piperidine ring. Hence, methoxphenidine belongs to the piperidine dissociative class of compounds. Methoxphenidine is structurally analogous to Diphenidine, containing an additional 2-methoxy CH3O- substitution.
MXP acts as an NMDA receptor antagonist.[6] NMDA receptors allow for electrical signals to pass between neurons in the brain and spinal column; for the signals to pass, the receptor must be open. Dissociatives close the NMDA receptors by blocking them. This disconnection of neurons leads to loss of feeling, difficulty moving, and eventually an almost identical equivalent of the “k-hole.”
Although it has not been formally studied, the feelings of physical and emotional euphoria which many users report suggests that it may also have action as a dopamine and / or a noradrenalinereuptake inhibitor.
Subjective effects
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 PsychonautWikicontributors. 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 ☠.
Physical effects
The subjective physical effects of MXP are most similar to that of DXM than any other commonly used dissociative. They can be broken down into several components which progressively intensify proportional to dosage. These are described below and generally include:
Tactile disconnection - This results in typical states of progressive physical disconnection but is far more consciously controllable than that of other dissociatives. This allows one to choose how much of their body they are currently aware of and connected to simply by directing their focus towards it even throughout higher states of disconnection and out-of-body experiences.
Spontaneous physical sensations - The MXP "body high" is a soft, pleasurable vibrating sensation which can be felt all over the body which progressively intensifies throughout the onset before dissipating once the peak has been reached.
Tactile suppression - 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.
Motor control loss - A loss of gross and fine motor control alongside of balance and coordination is prevalent within MXP 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.
Perception of decreased weight - 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 to moderate dosages by making the body feel light and effortless to move.
Dizziness - Although uncommon, some people report dizziness under the influence of MXP.
Double vision - This component is prevalent at moderate to heavy dosages and makes reading impossible unless one closes an eye.
Pattern recognition suppression - This effect generally occurs at higher dosages and makes one unable to recognize and interpret perceivable visual data.
At high dosages, MXP can produce a full range of high level hallucinatory states in a fashion that is less consistent and reproducible than that of many other commonly used psychedelics. These effects include:
The cognitive effects of MXP are often described as particularly clear-headed in comparison to other dissociatives even at heavy dosages. It is far more controllable, less disorientating and confusing at dosages of equal subjective intensity to that of MXE, DXM and ketamine. The cognitive effects of MXP can be broken down into several separate subcomponents which are listed and described below:
The afterglow describes the effects that can occur within the 24 hours after the experience. Many people report it to be as long-lasting and desirable as the experience itself. It can be described in terms of its physical sensation as one of euphoria, rejuvenation, relaxation and a bodily lightness. In terms of its mental thought processes, it can be described as a significant reduction or loss of anxiety, feelings of contentedness and a highly increased appreciation for music which dissipates a day or so after the experience.
Experience reports
Anecdotal reports which describe the effects of this compound within our experience index include:
The toxicity and long-term health effects of recreational MXP use do not seem to have been studied in any scientific context and the exact toxic dosage is unknown. This is because MXP has very little history of human usage.
Anecdotal reports from those who have tried this substance that there do not seem to be any negative health effects attributed to simply trying it by itself at low to moderate doses and using it sparingly (but nothing can be completely guaranteed). Independent research should always be done to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe before consumption.
As with other NMDA receptor antagonists, the chronic use of MXP 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 MXP 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). MXP presents cross-tolerance with [[Cross-tolerance::all dissociatives]], meaning that after the consumption of MXP all dissociatives will have a reduced effect.
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.
Depressants (e.g. 2M2B, alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, GHB/GBL, methaqualone, opioids) - This combination potentiates the muscle relaxation, amnesia, sedation, and respiratory depression caused by one another and at higher doses, can lead to a sudden, unexpected loss of consciousness along with dangerously depressed respiration. There is also an increased risk of vomiting while unconsciousness and dying from the resulting suffocation. If nausea or vomiting occurs before consciousness is lost, users should attempt to fall asleep in the recovery position or have a friend move them into it.
Stimulants (e.g. amphetamine, cocaine, methylphenidate, MDMA) - This combination can potentiate the anxiety-inducing, manic, delusional and disinhibiting effects of dissociatives, particularly those without pronounced motor suppressing components such as ketamine. The sum of these effects can increase the likelihood of an anxiety attack, delusions or a psychotic episode. There is also evidence that suggests that combining these two increases their neurotoxicity.[citation needed] Anecdotally, worsened comedowns are also commonly reported when these two classes of substances are combined.
As such, it may contain incomplete or wrong information. You can help by expanding it.
Canada: As of March 2016, MT-45 and its analogues, one of which being Methoxphenidine, are Schedule I controlled substances.[7] Possession without legal authority can result in maximum 7 years imprisonment. Only those with a law enforcement agency, person with an exemption permit or institutions with Minister's authorization may possess the substance.
China: As of October 2015 MXP is a controlled substance in China.[8]
Italy: MXP is banned in Italy according to the Table of Drugs since 2016. [9]
United Kingdom: It is illegal to produce, supply, or import this substance under the Psychoactive Substance Act, which came into effect on May 26th, 2016.[11]
Wallach, J., Kang, H., Colestock, T., Morris, H., Bortolotto, Z. A., Collingridge, G. L., ... & Adejare, A. (2016). Pharmacological investigations of the dissociative ‘legal highs’ diphenidine, methoxphenidine and analogues. PLoS One, 11(6), e0157021. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0157021
Morris, H., & Wallach, J. (2014). From PCP to MXE: A comprehensive review of the non-medical use of dissociative drugs. Drug Testing and Analysis, 6(7–8), 614–632. https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.1620
References
↑ 1.01.1Wallach, J., Kang, H., Colestock, T., Morris, H., Bortolotto, Z. A., Collingridge, G. L., ... & Adejare, A. (2016). Pharmacological investigations of the dissociative ‘legal highs’ diphenidine, methoxphenidine and analogues. PLoS One, 11(6), e0157021. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0157021
