2-MEC
Encyclopedic
Encyclopedic
Typical encyclopedia coverage. Cross-reference for important decisions.
- 2 corroborating sources
- 2 ROAs with full dose ladders
- duration data present
- 18 combo interactions documented
- classified Tentative
- classified Research-chemical
- 2 corroborating sources
- 2 ROAs with full dose ladders
- duration data present
- 18 combo interactions documented
- classified Tentative
- classified Research-chemical
Aliases: Ortho-ethcathinone
Summary
2-MEC appeared on grey-market outlets around 2012 as a mephedrone substitute, often in 'NRG-2' blends. Studies indicate 2-substituted cathinones are generally weaker than 3- or 4-substituted analogs due to steric hindrance. Users describe it as producing less empathogenic effects compared to mephedrone, with more prominent stimulation and cardiovascular strain.
Dose Information
| ROA | Light | Common | Strong | Heavy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral / Sublingual | 50-100mg | 100-200mg | 200-350mg | 350mg+ |
| Insufflated | 25-50mg | 50-100mg | 100-250mg | 250mg+ |
Onset, Duration & After-effects
| ROA | Onset | Comeup | Peak | Offset | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral / Sublingual | 15-40 min | 20-40 min | 30-90 min | 1-2 hrs | 2.08-4.84 hrs |
| Insufflated | 5-10 min | 10-20 min | 30-90 min | 1-2 hrs | 1.75-4 hrs |
| Rectal | 10-20 min | 15-30 min | 30-90 min | 1-2 hrs | 1.92-4.33 hrs |
Effect Profile
Scores (1–10) curated from multiple sources:
- Effect keyword matching from PsychonautWiki catalog
- Weighted by importance: core (×3), major (×2), minor (×1)
Moderate stimulation and sensory enhancement with mild empathy, low euphoria
Strong anxiety/jitters with moderate focus, mild stimulation and euphoria
Add to PsychonautWiki Journal
The PsychonautWiki Journal logging app doesn't include every substance. To track 2-MEC there, start adding an ingestion, search for the name, and choose to add it as a custom substance. Paste these values:
2-MEC Source: SubstanceSearch (substancesearch.com) Oral / Sublingual dose (mg): threshold 25 ยท light 50-100 ยท common 100-200 ยท strong 200-350 ยท heavy 350+ Insufflated dose (mg): light 25-50 ยท common 50-100 ยท strong 100-250 ยท heavy 250+ Rectal dose (mg): threshold 20 Oral / Sublingual duration: onset 15-40m ยท come-up 20-40m ยท peak 0.5-1.5h ยท offset 1-2h ยท total 2.08-4.84h ยท after-effects 2-6h Insufflated duration: onset 5-10m ยท come-up 10-20m ยท peak 0.5-1.5h ยท offset 1-2h ยท total 1.75-4h ยท after-effects 2-6h Rectal duration: onset 10-20m ยท come-up 15-30m ยท peak 0.5-1.5h ยท offset 1-2h ยท total 1.92-4.33h ยท after-effects 2-6h Note: ranges are harm-reduction guidance, not a prescription. Start low, go slow, and test your substances.
Tip: for quicker logging you can also add a Custom Unit in the app, e.g. common dose ~ 150 mg (Oral / Sublingual).
The app keeps custom substances simple, so the full dose ranges live in the description text above. Ranges are harm-reduction guidance, not a prescription.
Tolerance
Tolerance Decay
Acute tolerance: develops within a single session โ the reset numbers above apply after sustained heavy use, not after one binge. Within-session tachyphylaxis usually resets largely overnight.
Acute withinโsession tachyphylaxis is common with cathinones; repeated redosing produces diminishing returns and a harsher comedown. Crossโtolerance with other monoaminergic stimulants/empathogens is expected based on mechanism overlap. Waiting at least 7โ14 days between sessions reduces residual tolerance and mood afterโeffects.
Cross-Tolerances
Effects
- Stimulation
- Teeth Grinding
- Jaw Clenching
- Increased Heart Rate
- Vasoconstriction
- Pupil dilation
- Increased perspiration
- Insomnia
- Euphoria
- Increased Sociability
- Focus Enhancement
- Empathy Enhancement
- Wakefulness
- Motivation enhancement
- Compulsive Redosing
- Anxiety
- Time distortion
- Thought acceleration
- Tactile Enhancement
- Increased libido
- Increased music appreciation
- Color enhancement
- Tracers
- Light sensitivity
- Dehydration
- Appetite suppression
- Disinhibition
Combinations
Cross-Check 2-MEC with another substanceHelpful Links
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