Stimulants
4-MEC (4-Methylethcathinone)
Street names: 4-MEC, 4-methylethcathinone
Overdose? Act now. Call emergency services — say "unresponsive, not breathing". Give naloxone for opioid-like signs. Hotlines
⚡What it does
- Mephedrone-lite: stimulation, talkativeness, mild euphoria
- 2–4 h duration with a strong 'one more line' pull
⚠Key risks
- Same compulsive-redose profile as mephedrone with even less safety data
- Nasal damage from caustic cathinone powder
- Serotonin syndrome risk combined with MDMA/SSRIs
- Essentially no human safety data
✚Overdose signs
- Agitation, racing heart, sweating
- Paranoia at binge doses
- Overheating, jaw clenching
Category comparison — Stimulants
| Substance | Class | Top risks | Street price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-MEC (4-Methylethcathinone) | Unscheduled | Same compulsive-redose profile as mephedrone with even less safety data; Nasal damage from caustic cathinone powder | ~$20–35/gram |
| Cocaine | Schedule II | Heart attack/stroke even in young users; Severe addiction — craving cycle | ~$60–$120 per gram |
| Speed (amphetamine paste) | Schedule II | Insomnia, anxiety, paranoia; Heart strain and overheating | ~$10–$40 per gram |
| Methamphetamine | Schedule II | Addiction — among the most addictive drugs known; Meth mouth, skin sores, psychosis | ~$20–$100 per gram |
| Adderall (amphetamine salts) | Schedule II | Dependence and tolerance; Cardiovascular strain | ~$3–$15 per 30 mg tablet |
| Adderall XR | Schedule II | Same as Adderall; long duration masks sleep debt; Beads snorted bypass XR mechanism | ~$5–$20 per 30 mg capsule |
Street prices are regional estimates. Potency and cuts vary constantly.
?Frequently asked questions
What does 4-MEC (4-Methylethcathinone) look like?
White/off-white crystalline powder; appeared after the mephedrone bans as a direct replacement
What are the signs of a 4-MEC (4-Methylethcathinone) overdose?
Agitation, racing heart, sweating; Paranoia at binge doses; Overheating, jaw clenching Call emergency services immediately.
How addictive is it?
Same compulsive-redose profile as mephedrone with even less safety data Dependence can develop with regular use.
🔗Sources & further reading
Facts on this page are compiled from these primary sources. External links open in a new tab.