Summary
3-Methylethcathinone (3-MEC, 3-MeEC) is the 3-methyl positional isomer of 4-MEC and a close analogue of mephedrone. It emerged on the grey market around 2010-2012 and is usually encountered as an off-white crystalline powder. Pharmacological data are extremely sparse; limited in vitro assays suggest it acts primarily as a dopamine/norepinephrine releaser and reuptake inhibitor with weaker serotonergic activity than 4-MMC or MDMA. User reports describe a more alert, 'speed-like' character with only mild empathogenic warmth. Because the subjective peak is brief (approximately 40-60 minutes), many users feel compelled to redose every 30-60 minutes, rapidly escalating total intake and cardiovascular strain.
Dose Information
| ROA | Light | Common | Strong | Heavy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral | 50-100mg | 100-175mg | 175-250mg | 250mg+ |
| Insufflated | 25-50mg | 50-100mg | 100-150mg | 150mg+ |
Light
Common
Strong
Heavy
Onset, Duration & After-effects
| ROA | Onset | Comeup | Peak | Offset | After Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral | 30-90 min | 45-90 min | 1-2 hrs | 30-60 min | 2-5 hrs |
| Insufflated | 5-10 min | 10-15 min | 20-40 min | 30-60 min | 1-3 hrs |
| Rectal | 10-20 min | 15-30 min | 45-90 min | 30-60 min | 2-4 hrs |
Tolerance
Build-up
develops rapidly, often within a single session; compulsive redosing common
Reset
a few days for acute tolerance
Effects
Positive
- Physical stimulation
Negative
- Bruxism
- Jaw tension
- Pupil dilation
- Increased heart rate
- Vasoconstriction
- Jitteriness
- Sweating
- Urinary retention
- Comedown fatigue
- Temperature elevation
Positive
- Euphoria
- Enhanced sociability
- Focus enhancement
- Wakefulness
Negative
- Anxiety
- Compulsive redosing
- Post-use anhedonia
- Increased talkativeness
- Time distortion
- Thought acceleration
Positive
- Tactile enhancement
- Increased music appreciation
- Increased libido
- Tracers
- Color enhancement
- Pattern recognition enhancement
Negative
- Appetite suppression
- Light sensitivity
- Dehydration
- Disinhibition