Methaqualone

Fatal overdose may occur when GABAergic substances are combined with other depressants such as opiates, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, gabapentinoids, thienodiazepines or alcohol. It is strongly discouraged to combine these substances, particularly in common to heavy doses.

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Methaqualone
Chemical Nomenclature
Common names	Methaqualone, Quaaludes, Ludes, Mandrax, Sopor, Quack, Vitamin Q, Soaper
Substitutive name	Methaqualone
Systematic name	2-Methyl-3-(2-methylphenyl)-4(3H)-quinazolinone
Class Membership
Psychoactive class	Depressant
Chemical class	Quinazolinone
Routes of Administration
WARNING: Always start with lower doses due to differences between individual body weight, tolerance, metabolism, and personal sensitivity. See responsible use section. ⇣ Smoked Dosage Threshold 50 mg Light 50 - 100 mg Common 100 - 200 mg Strong 200 - 300 mg Heavy 300 mg + Duration Total 1 - 2 hours ⇣ Oral Dosage Threshold 75 - 150 mg Light 150 - 300 mg Common 300 - 500 mg Strong 500 - 600 mg Heavy 600 mg + Duration Total 5 - 8 hours Onset 30 minutes Come up 30 minutes Peak 2 - 4 hours Offset 2 - 4 hours After effects 6 - 8 hours DISCLAIMER: PW's dosage information is gathered from users and resources for educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation and should be verified with other sources for accuracy.
Interactions
Stimulants
Depressants
Dissociatives

Summary sheet: Methaqualone

Methaqualone (brand name Quaalude in the US and Mandrax in the UK) is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant of the quinazolinone class that acts as a sedative and hypnotic. The sedative–hypnotic activity of methaqualone was first noted by researchers in the 1950s and in 1962 methaqualone itself was patented in the US by Wallace and Tiernan. Its use peaked in the early 1970s as a hypnotic, for the treatment of insomnia, and as a sedative and muscle relaxant. It is still produced and used clandestinely as a recreational drug throughout the world. The drug was popular in the 1970s with hippies and in the disco club scene.

Chemistry

Methaqualone, or 2-methyl-3-(2-methylphenyl)-4(3H)-quinazolinone, is a compound of the quinazolinone class. Quinazolinone is a bicyclic structure containing a phenyl ring bound to another six-membered ring with two nitrogen members and a ketone group bound to R₄. In methaqualone, this structure is substituted at R₂ with a methyl group. Additionally, methaqualone contains a phenyl ring with a methyl group bound to R₂ which is attached to the quinazolinone structure at R₃.

Pharmacology

Despite prior speculation, a 2015 study demonstrates that methaqualone exhibits distinct functional properties at the GABA receptor sites compared with other allosteric modulators, and it mediates these through a different mechanism than the barbiturates and benzodiazepines that it historically has been lumped together with.

These distinctions could contribute to the reported differences in the in vivo effects induced by methaqualone and classic CNS depressants. In any case, the multifaceted functionality of methaqualone at GABA A receptors seems to be at the root of its clinical efficacy, as well as the addiction liability and recreational use associated with the drug.

It could be speculated that despite differences in targeted receptors, methaqualone essentially produces a variety of effects by binding to its receptor sites and magnifying the efficiency and effects of the neurotransmitter gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) by acting on its receptors. As this site is the most prolific inhibitory receptor set within the brain, its modulation would explain the resulting sedating or calming effects which ensue.

Subjective effects

The effects listed below are based upon the subjective effects index and personal experiences of PsychonautWiki contributors. The listed effects will rarely (if ever) occur all at once, but heavier dosages will increase the chances and are more likely to induce a full range of effects.

Physical effects

• Sedation - In terms of energy level alterations, this drug is extremely sedating and often results in an overwhelmingly lethargic state. At higher levels, this causes users to suddenly feel as if they are extremely sleep deprived and have not slept for days, forcing them to sit down and generally feel as if they are constantly on the verge of passing out instead of engaging in physical activities. This sense of sleep deprivation increases proportional to dosage and eventually becomes powerful enough to force a person into complete unconsciousness.
• Physical euphoria - This compound is unusually euphoric in comparison to other compounds within the same class.
• Dizziness
• Muscle relaxation
• Motor control loss
• Respiratory depression
• Constipation
• Changes in gravity

Cognitive effects

• Anxiety suppression
• Thought deceleration
• Disinhibition
• Subconscious communication
• Dream potentiation
• Information processing suppression
• Euphoria
• Compulsive redosing
• Increased libido

Visual effects

The visual effects of methaqualone are unusually strong for other depressants of its class. They can be broken down into several components which progressively intensify proportional to dosage.

• Visual acuity suppression
• Double vision
• Visual disconnection - A sense of subtle disconnection from visual input is often experienced with high dosage methaqualone.
• Internal hallucinations - The internal hallucinations of methaqualone can be described as more solid than psychedelics and do not seem to be composed of visual geometry. The most common way in which they manifest themselves are through hypnagogic scenarios. They are most common during high dosages and can be comprehensively described through their variations as lucid in believability, fixed in style, autonomous in controllability, and equal in new experiences and memory replays in content.

Toxicity and harm potential

The toxicity and long-term health effects of recreational methaqualone use have not been studied in any scientific context and the exact toxic dosage is unknown. Anecdotal evidence from people within the psychonaut community who have tried methaqualone suggests that there are no negative health effects attributed to simply trying the drug by itself at low to moderate doses and using it very 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.

Lethal dosage

Overdose of methaqualone can lead to seizures, coma or death. Taking doses of over 300mg can be dangerous for first time users. Depending on the state of the user's individual tolerance, doses of about 8,000mg per day can be fatal whilst others on even higher doses (of up to 20,000mg) may survive.

Although the exact lethal dosage of methaqualone has not been formally established, like many depressants, it is safe at appropriate dosages. Complications may arise when administered in excess or in combination with other depressants.

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

Tolerance and addiction potential

Methaqualone is extremely addictive. Tolerance to the sedative-hypnotic effects develops within a couple of days of repeated administration. 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). Methaqualone presents cross-tolerance with [[Cross-tolerance::all gabaergic depressants]], meaning that after the consumption of methaqualone all compounds of the same class will have a reduced effect.

Abrupt discontinuation of methaqualone following regular dosing over several days can result in a withdrawal phase which includes rebound symptoms such as increased anxiety and insomnia. It is possible to gradually reduce the dose over the course of several days, which will lengthen the duration of the withdrawal period but reduce the perceived intensity.

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.

• Depressants (1,4-Butanediol, 2-methyl-2-butanol, alcohol, barbiturates, GHB/GBL, benzodiazepines, opioids) - This combination can result in dangerous or even fatal levels of respiratory depression. These substances potentiate the muscle relaxation, sedation and amnesia caused by one another and can lead to unexpected loss of consciousness at high doses. There is also an increased risk of vomiting during unconsciousness and death from the resulting suffocation. If this occurs, users should attempt to fall asleep in the recovery position or have a friend move them into it.
• Dissociatives - This combination can result in an increased risk of vomiting during unconsciousness and death from the resulting suffocation. If this occurs, users should attempt to fall asleep in the recovery position or have a friend move them into it.
• Stimulants - It is dangerous to combine depressants with stimulants due to the risk of excessive intoxication. Stimulants decrease the sedative effect of methaqualone, which is the main factor most people consider when determining their level of intoxication. Once the stimulant wears off, the effects of depressants will be significantly increased, leading to intensified disinhibition as well as other effects. If combined, one should strictly limit themselves to only dosing a certain amount of depressants per hour. This combination can also potentially result in severe dehydration if hydration is not monitored.

Legal issues

• Australia - Methaqualone is Schedule 9 in Australia, meaning it is illegal without a license and deemed to have no medical value.
• Canada - Methaqualone is Schedule III in Canada meaning it requires a prescription or license to legally possess.
• Germany - Methaqualone is Schedule III in Germany.
• United Kingdom - Methaqualone is a Class B drug.
• United States - Methaqualone is a Schedule I drug, and is illegal to possess without a license.

See also

• Responsible use
• Depressants
• Mebroqualone
• GHB

External links

• Methaqualone (Erowid)
• Methaqualone (Wikipedia)
• Methaqualone (TripSit)
• Quaaludes (drugs.com)