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    🧪 This is a research chemical with limited data on its long-term health effects, toxicity profile, and safe dosage ranges.

    2-MEC

    Aliases: Ortho-ethcathinone

    Stimulant Research-chemical

    Summary TheDrug.Wiki TripSit

    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 TheDrug.Wiki TripSit

    ROA Light Common Strong Heavy
    Oral / Sublingual 50-100mg 100-200mg 200-350mg 350mg+
    Insufflated 25-50mg 50-100mg 100-250mg 250mg+
    Oral 50-100mg 100-200mg 200-350mg 350mg+
    Light Common Strong Heavy

    Onset, Duration & After-effects TheDrug.Wiki TripSit

    ROA Onset Comeup Peak Offset After Effects
    Oral / Sublingual 15-40 min 20-40 min 30-90 min 1-2 hrs 2-6 hrs
    Insufflated 5-10 min 10-20 min 30-90 min 1-2 hrs 2-6 hrs
    Rectal 10-20 min 15-30 min 30-90 min 1-2 hrs 2-6 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)

    Full methodology

    Empathogen 5.7
    Strong 6/10

    Strong sensory enhancement and stimulation with mild empathy, low euphoria

    Empathy / Social Openness ×3
    5
    empathy enhancement increased sociability
    Euphoria / Mood Elevation ×2
    3
    euphoria
    Stimulation ×1
    9
    stimulation wakefulness teeth grinding increased heart rate
    Sensory Enhancement ×1
    10
    tactile enhancement color enhancement increased libido
    Stimulant 4.9
    Moderate+ 5/10

    Strong anxiety/jitters with moderate focus, mild stimulation and euphoria

    Stimulation / Energy ×3
    5
    stimulation wakefulness
    Euphoria / Mood Lift ×2
    5
    euphoria motivation enhancement
    Focus / Productivity ×2
    7
    focus enhancement thought acceleration motivation enhancement
    ⚠ Anxiety / Jitters ×1
    10
    anxiety teeth grinding increased heart rate jaw clenching vasoconstriction
    Based on reports from:
    Erowid Experience Reports PsychonautWiki 2-MEC
    View methodology →

    Tolerance

    Build-up develops rapidly, often within a single session; compulsive redosing common
    Reset a few days for acute tolerance

    Tolerance Decay

    Full tolerance 6h Half tolerance 3d Baseline ~10d

    Acute within‑session tachyphylaxis is common with cathinones; repeated redosing produces diminishing returns and a harsher comedown. Cross‑tolerance with other monoaminergic stimulants/empathogens is expected based on mechanism overlap. Waiting at least 7–14 days between sessions reduces residual tolerance and mood after‑effects.

    Cross-Tolerances

    Mephedrone (4‑MMC)
    60%
    4‑MEC
    70%
    Other stimulant cathinones
    50%

    Effects TheDrug.Wiki

    Positive
    • Stimulation
    Negative
    • Teeth Grinding
    • Jaw Clenching
    • Increased Heart Rate
    • Vasoconstriction
    • Increased heart rate
    • Teeth grinding
    • Pupil dilation
    • Increased perspiration
    • Insomnia
    Positive
    • Euphoria
    • Increased Sociability
    • Focus Enhancement
    • Empathy Enhancement
    • Wakefulness
    • Motivation enhancement
    Negative
    • Compulsive Redosing
    • Anxiety
    Neutral
    • Time distortion
    • Thought acceleration
    Positive
    • Tactile Enhancement
    • Tactile enhancement
    • Increased libido
    • Increased music appreciation
    • Color enhancement
    • Tracers
    Negative
    • Light sensitivity
    • Dehydration
    • Appetite suppression
    • Disinhibition

    Combinations TripSit

    2-MEC's nerd page Pharmacology, chemical data, effect profiles, and more
    →

    Helpful Links

    📘 Experience Reports 📖 TheDrug.Wiki 📖 PsychonautWiki