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    Methoxetamine molecular structure

    Methoxetamine Stats & Data

    Mxe Mexxy M-ket Roflcopter 3-meo-2'oxo-pce
    NPS DataHub
    MW247.34
    FormulaC15H21NO2
    CAS1239943-76-0
    IUPAC(''R''/''S'')-2-(3-Methoxyphenyl)-2-(ethylamino)cyclohexanone
    SMILESCCNC1(CCCCC1=O)c1cccc(OC)c1
    InChIKeyLPKTWLVEGBNOOX-UHFFFAOYSA-N
    Arylcyclohexylamines
    Chemical Class Arylcyclohexylamine
    Psychoactive Class Dissociative

    Receptor Profile

    Receptor Actions

    Antagonists
    NMDA receptor antagonist (noncompetitive)
    Inhibitors
    Serotonin reuptake inhibitor

    Receptor Binding

    NMDA antagonist

    History & Culture

    Methoxetamine represents a deliberate exercise in rational drug design rather than accidental discovery. The compound was conceived by an anonymous chemist who sought to create a ketamine analogue with improved therapeutic properties. Structurally, MXE incorporates features from both ketamine and phencyclidine, sharing particular resemblance to 3-MeO-PCP while maintaining ketamine's core arylcyclohexylamine scaffold. The design philosophy behind MXE centered on two primary objectives: enhancing the antidepressant potential observed with ketamine while minimizing the urological toxicity associated with chronic ketamine use. The reasoning held that a more potent compound would require lower doses, thereby reducing the accumulation of bladder-toxic metabolites linked to ketamine-associated cystitis. The compound was also reportedly developed with potential applications for phantom limb syndrome in mind.

    2010–2011

    The qualitative effects of MXE were first documented on online drug forums in May 2010, with small-scale commercial availability following by September of that year. The compound's rapid proliferation drew the attention of European drug monitoring agencies; by November 2010, the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction had formally identified the substance as an emerging novel psychoactive compound. Growth in the MXE market proved substantial over the following months. By July 2011, the EMCDDA had catalogued 58 separate websites offering the compound, typically at prices ranging from 145 to 195 euros for ten grams. The substance was distributed almost exclusively through online research chemical vendors rather than traditional street-level markets, positioning it firmly within the then-emerging novel psychoactive substances economy.

    2012–present

    MXE developed a substantial following within psychonaut and electronic music communities during its period of availability. The dance music press documented the compound's penetration into club culture, with Mixmag reporting in January 2012 that users had coined the slang term "roflcoptr" for the substance. UK Home Office press releases subsequently referred to the drug as "mexxy," terminology that mainstream media would adopt. The compound acquired what many users describe as a cult status, valued for a distinctive quality frequently characterized as "magic"—combining pronounced euphoria, depth of introspection, and remarkable versatility across dosage ranges. Users praised its psychedelic character relative to other dissociatives and its suitability for both social settings and solitary exploration at higher doses. However, regulatory action—particularly production bans in China, which had served as the primary manufacturing source—severely disrupted global supply. The compound became progressively more difficult to obtain, and by the mid-2010s was largely considered extinct from the research chemical marketplace. Contemporary discussions of MXE among former users often carry a tone of nostalgia, with one commentator noting that people speak of the substance in terms typically reserved for a departed lover or a prize catch that somehow escaped.

    Subjective Effects

    Physical
    • Tactile disconnection
    • Spontaneous tactile sensations: The MXE body high is a sharp, pleasurable tingling sensation which is location specific to the hands, feet and head.
    • Tactile suppression: This partially to entirely suppresses one's sense of touch, creating feelings of numbness within the extremities. It is responsible for the anaesthetic properties of this substance.
    • Physical autonomy
    • Motor control loss: A loss of gross and fine motor control alongside of balance and coordination is prevalent within MXE and becomes especially strong at higher dosages.
    • Physical euphoria: This results in feelings of physical euphoria which range between mild pleasure to powerful all-encompassing bliss.
    • Decreased bodily weight: This creates the sensation that the body is floating and has become entirely weightless. This effect is strangely stimulating and encourages physical activities at low to moderate dosages by making the body feel light and effortless to move.
    • Dizziness: Although uncommon, some people report dizziness under the influence of MXE.
    • Nausea: High dose MXE trips can sometimes result in nausea and vomiting at the peak of trip. For most people, this is surprisingly not as unpleasant as they would initially expect due to the accompanying detachment from the physical senses.
    Cognitive

    The general head space of MXE is often described as particularly euphoric and clear headed in comparison to that of DXM and Ketamine.

    • Consciousness disconnection
    • Ego suppression, loss and death
    • Time distortion
    • Euphoria
    • Introspection
    • Déjà vu
    • Personal bias suppression
    • Conceptual thinking
    • Direct communication with the subconscious
    • Unity and interconnectedness
    Sensory
    Auditory
    • Enhancements
    • Suppression
    • Distortions
    • Hallucinations
    Visual · Distortions

    MXE exhibits a full array of dissociative distortions and alterations in visual perception.

    • Perspective distortions
    • Environmental cubism
    • Environmental orbism
    • Scenery slicing
    Visual · Hallucinatory States

    At high dosages, MXE can produce a full range of high level hallucinatory states in a fashion that is less consistent and reproducible than that of many other commonly used psychedelics.

    • External hallucinations: In comparison to other dissociatives, this effect can occur at heavy dosages but is extremely infrequent in comparison to the same effect found within deliriants. It can be comprehensively described as delirious in believability, autonomous in controllability and solid in style.
    • Internal hallucinations: (Autonomous entities; settings, sceneries, and landscapes; alterations in perspective and scenarios and plots) - In comparison to other dissociatives, this effect can occur at heavy dosages, but is considerably less common than the same effect found within psychedelics and deliriants.
    Visual · Suppressions

    This substance does not enhance visual stimuli; instead it tends to degrade and decrease visual aptitude in a variety of ways.

    • Visual disconnection: This eventually results in the MXE equivalent of the famous "K-hole" or more specifically, holes, spaces and voids alongside of structures.
    • Visual acuity suppression
    • Double vision: This component is prevalent at moderate to heavy dosages and makes reading impossible unless one closes an eye.
    • Pattern recognition suppression: This effect generally occurs at higher dosages and makes one unable to recognize and interpret perceivable visual data.

    Forked from Subjective Effect Documentation by Josie Kins, October 2012. Via dose.wiki (CC0).

    Toxicity

    PsychonautWiki

    The toxicity and long-term health effects of recreational MXE use do not seem to have been studied in any scientific context and the exact toxic dosage is unknown. This is because MXE is a research chemical with a very brief history of human usage. Anecdotal reports from those who have tried MXE suggests that there do not seem to be any negative health effects attributed to simply trying this substance at low to moderate doses by itself and using it 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. It is strongly recommended that one use harm reduction practices when using this substance.

    Addiction & dependence

    As with other NMDA receptor antagonists, the chronic use of MXE can be considered moderately addictive with a high potential for abuse and is capable of producing psychological dependence among certain users. When addiction has developed, cravings and withdrawal effects may occur if a person suddenly stops their usage. Tolerance to many of the effects of MXE develops with prolonged and repeated use.

    Effect Profile

    Curated + 116 Reports
    Dissociative 6.6

    Strong dissociative depth and insight with moderate mania and motor impairment

    Dissociative Depth×3
    88.3 5/21
    Mania / Compulsion×1
    74.0 3/21
    Insight / Novel Thought×2
    80.5 3/21
    Motor / Sensory Impairment×1
    75.7 1/21
    Catalog Erowid

    User Experiences

    Dissociative Depth "It made all my problems wash away, you could say that I dissociated from them… I was heartbroken as hell, but that suddenly became a passing feeling, an irrelevancy to the wide world of MXE." — Effect Index ↗
    Insight "That's where it gets really interesting, and I am incorporating different pre-existing models of consciousness such as The Quantum Mind, Spin-Mediated Consciousness, Orch OR theory, quantum..." — Bluelight ↗
    Mania "To me, I've already Died in the Hospital from a Heroin OD and they brought me back to Life - I've tried to take my Life during Manic Depressive Episodes................MXE has saved me from this..." — Bluelight ↗

    Duration Timeline

    Bluelight
    Onset Comeup Peak Offset After Effects
    Oral / Sublingual
    15-45 minutes
    45 minutes - 1.5 hours
    1-3 hours
    2-3 hours
    2-48 hours
    Total: 3-5 hours
    Insufflated
    4-19 minutes
    30 minutes - 1.25 hours
    1-3 hours
    1-3 hours
    2-48 hours
    Total: 3-6 hours
    Intramuscular
    4-10 minutes
    15-30 minutes
    1-3 hours
    2-3 hours
    2-48 hours
    Total: 3-6 hours
    Rectal
    15-30 minutes
    30 minutes - 1.0 hours
    1-3 hours
    2-3 hours
    2-48 hours
    Total: 3-6 hours
    Oral
    12-30 minutes
    48 minutes - 1.5 hours
    1.5-2.5 hours
    1-1.5 hours
    6-48 hours
    Total: 3-6 hours
    Sublingual
    15-45 minutes
    3.0-6.0 hours
    2.0-48.0 hours
    Total: 3-6 hours

    Community Effects

    TripSit
    Positive
    euphoria dissociation sociability relaxation hole analgesia music enhancement
    Negative
    nausea confusion mania addiction bladder damage amnesia

    Tolerance & Pharmacokinetics

    drugs.wiki
    Half-Life
    ~3–6 h (felt effects may outlast plasma due to active metabolites)
    Addiction Potential
    Moderate to high: many users report a strong urge to redose (“more-ish”), rapid tolerance, and binge patterns when supply is available.

    Tolerance Decay

    Half tolerance 7d Baseline ~10d

    A single heavy session can produce pronounced short-term tolerance. Many users report tolerance halves over ~3–5 days and returns near-baseline after ~10–14 days; data are anecdotal and vary widely by dose pattern and ROA. Cross-tolerance within the arylcyclohexylamine class is expected. Data quality: anecdotal/community reports.

    Cross-Tolerances

    Ketamine
    Other arylcyclohexylamines (e.g., O-PCE, 3-MeO-PCP)

    Experience Report Analysis

    Erowid
    219 Reports
    116 Single-substance
    2007–2024 Date Range
    207 With Age Data
    31 Effects Detected

    Demographics

    Gender Distribution

    Age Distribution

    Reports Over Time

    Effect Analysis

    Erowid

    Effects aggregated from 116 experience reports (116 single-substance Erowid)

    116 Reports
    31 Effects Detected
    11 Positive
    11 Adverse
    9 Neutral

    Effect Sentiment Distribution

    Confidence Distribution

    Each bar is the share of reports mentioning the effect; its whisker, and the band on the rows below, is the 95% interval: where the share could plausibly be with other reports of the same kind.

    Positive Effects 11

    Music Enhancement 43.1% (95% interval 34 to 52 percent) 70%
    Euphoria 37.1% (95% interval 29 to 46 percent) 70%
    Color Enhancement 31.0% (95% interval 23 to 40 percent) 70%
    Empathy 27.6% (95% interval 20 to 36 percent) 70%
    Stimulation 27.6% (95% interval 20 to 36 percent) 70%
    Introspection 13.8% (95% interval 9 to 21 percent) 70%
    Tactile Enhancement 11.2% (95% interval 7 to 18 percent) 70%
    Focus Enhancement 11.2% (95% interval 7 to 18 percent) 70%
    Body High 11.2% (95% interval 7 to 18 percent) 70%
    Pain Relief 5.2% (95% interval 2 to 11 percent) 70%
    Creativity Enhancement 3.4% (95% interval 1 to 8 percent) 70%

    Adverse Effects 11

    Anxiety 43.1% (95% interval 34 to 52 percent) 70%
    Confusion 35.3% (95% interval 27 to 44 percent) 70%
    Motor Impairment 18.1% (95% interval 12 to 26 percent) 70%
    Nausea 17.2% (95% interval 11 to 25 percent) 70%
    Memory Suppression 14.7% (95% interval 9 to 22 percent) 70%
    ⚠ Psychosis 8.6% (95% interval 5 to 15 percent) 70%
    Headache 7.8% (95% interval 4 to 14 percent) 70%
    Increased Heart Rate 5.2% (95% interval 2 to 11 percent) 70%
    Thought Loops 4.3% (95% interval 2 to 10 percent) 70%
    Sweating 3.4% (95% interval 1 to 8 percent) 70%
    Pupil Dilation 2.6% (95% interval 1 to 7 percent) 70%
    Show 9 neutral or unclassified mentions
    Dissociation 50.0% (95% interval 41 to 59 percent)
    Visual Distortions 46.6% (95% interval 38 to 56 percent)
    Closed-Eye Visuals 26.7% (95% interval 20 to 35 percent)
    Auditory Effects 19.8% (95% interval 14 to 28 percent)
    Sedation 14.7% (95% interval 9 to 22 percent)
    Hospital 14.7% (95% interval 9 to 22 percent)
    Time Distortion 6.9% (95% interval 4 to 13 percent)
    Ego Dissolution 5.2% (95% interval 2 to 11 percent)
    Open-Eye Visuals 3.4% (95% interval 1 to 8 percent)

    Also reported in combinations. In the 103 Methoxetamine reports where another drug was taken too, 10 (9.7%) mention hospital, emergency services or an overdose, 1 (1.0%) a seizure and 6 (5.8%) psychosis. In the 116 single-substance reports: 14.7%, 0.9% and 8.6%. These are not in the figures above: they cannot be put down to Methoxetamine alone, and a mention is not always something that happened to the writer.

    Subjective Effect Ontology

    Experience Reports

    Structured effect tags extracted from 219 experience reports using a controlled vocabulary of 220+ canonical effects across 15 domains.

    Auditory

    music enhancement 114 52.1% (95% interval 46 to 59 percent)

    Emotional

    anxiety 100 45.7% (95% interval 39 to 52 percent)

    Selfhood

    dissociation 120 54.8% (95% interval 48 to 61 percent)

    Visual

    visual distortions 120 54.8% (95% interval 48 to 61 percent)

    4 unique effects extracted · Derived from experience reports

    Dosage Distribution

    Dose distribution from experience reports, one dose per report (the first listed). Doses above Q3 + 3×IQR, far above what people typically take, are left out of the median and range and listed under each route: most are real heavy doses or overdoses, not mistakes.

    Insufflated

    Median: 32.5 mg IQR: 20.0–50.0 mg n=58

    4 reports gave a dose above the typical range (150–300 mg), so they are not in the figures above. 1 of them mentions hospital, emergency services or an overdose. Listing a dose here does not mean it is safe.

    Show the reports
    • 300 mg · another drug taken too
    • 250 mg
    • 200 mg · mentions hospital, emergency services or an overdose
    • 150 mg · another drug taken too

    Oral

    Median: 50.0 mg IQR: 28.8–51.2 mg n=28

    1 report gave a dose above the typical range (500 mg), so it is not in the figures above. Listing a dose here does not mean it is safe.

    Show the report

    Sublingual

    Median: 50.0 mg IQR: 23.8–61.2 mg n=16

    1 report gave a dose above the typical range (200 mg), so it is not in the figures above. Listing a dose here does not mean it is safe.

    Show the report

    Real-World Dose Distribution

    Erowid

    From 278 of 303 recorded dose entries: those that state a weight (mg, g or µg), in routes with at least five of them. Values above Q3 + 3×IQR, far above what people typically take, are left out; they can include real heavy doses and overdoses, not only mistakes.

    Insufflated (n=160)

    Median: 25.5mg 25th: 15.75mg 75th: 50.0mg 90th: 75.5mg

    Oral (n=52)

    Median: 35.0mg 25th: 20.0mg 75th: 50.0mg 90th: 59.5mg

    Intramuscular (n=18)

    Median: 21.5mg 25th: 20.0mg 75th: 31.5mg 90th: 43.0mg

    Rectal (n=8)

    Median: 42.5mg 25th: 22.75mg 75th: 106.25mg 90th: 147.5mg

    Sublingual (n=25)

    Median: 50.0mg 25th: 20.0mg 75th: 60.0mg 90th: 83.0mg

    Common Combinations

    Most co-occurring substances, as a share of all 219 reports filed under Methoxetamine; whiskers are 95% intervals

    Form / Preparation

    Most common forms and preparations, as a share of the 153 reports that give one; whiskers are 95% intervals

    Body-Weight Dosing

    Dose per kg of body weight, one dose per report (the first listed), from reports giving a weight of 30–250 kg. Doses above Q3 + 3×IQR, far above what people typically take, are left out of the median and range and listed under each route.

    Insufflated

    Median: 0.454 mg/kg IQR: 0.279–0.769 mg/kg n=54

    3 reports gave a dose above the typical range (2.845–5.254 mg/kg), so they are not in the figures above. 1 of them mentions hospital, emergency services or an overdose. Listing a dose here does not mean it is safe.

    Show the reports

    Oral

    Median: 0.559 mg/kg IQR: 0.344–0.761 mg/kg n=27

    Sublingual

    Median: 0.735 mg/kg IQR: 0.339–0.912 mg/kg n=17

    Redose Patterns

    Redosing behavior across 165 reports

    39.4% (95% interval 32 to 47 percent) Redosed
    1.7 Avg Doses
    65m Median Interval

    Legal Status

    European Council Decision (September 2014) requiring Member States to implement control measures by October 2015
    Country Status Notes
    Austria Illegal (SMG) Prohibited under the Suchtmittelgesetz since June 26, 2019. Possession, production, and sale are criminal offenses.
    Brazil Controlled (Portaria SVS/MS nº 344) Listed as a controlled substance on February 18, 2014 alongside several other novel psychoactive substances. Possession, production, and sale are illegal.
    Canada Schedule I CDSA (analogue) Health Canada declared MXE a controlled analogue of ketamine under Schedule I of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act in January 2011. Possession, production, and sale are prohibited.
    China Category I Psychotropic Controlled as a Category I psychotropic substance. It is illegal to sell, buy, import, export, or manufacture without authorization. China's ban on production significantly impacted global MXE availability.
    Croatia Controlled (analogue) Reportedly controlled as an analogue of ketamine under national drug legislation.
    Cyprus Controlled Listed in the national drug control law since 2012. Possession, production, and distribution are prohibited.
    Denmark Controlled Covered by the Executive Order on Euphoriant Substances, making possession, production, and distribution illegal.
    France Stupéfiant Added to the list of controlled stupefiant substances on August 5, 2013. Possession, production, and distribution are illegal.
    Germany Anlage I BtMG Controlled under the Betäubungsmittelgesetz since July 2013. Manufacturing, importing, possessing, selling, or transferring without license is prohibited.
    Italy Controlled Listed in the table of controlled drugs since 2016. Possession, production, and distribution are prohibited.
    Japan Narcotic Classified as a narcotic drug effective June 26, 2016. Earlier controls from July 2012 restricted importation, production, and distribution while possession for personal use remained in a legal grey area.
    Netherlands List I (Opiumwet) Added to List I of the Opium Law in July 2015. Possession, production, transport, import, export, and sale are prohibited.
    Russia Controlled Prohibited since October 2011. Possession, production, and sale are illegal under Russian narcotics legislation.
    Slovenia Controlled Listed as a controlled substance per Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia No. 62/2013.
    Sweden Narcotic Controlled under the Narcotic Drugs Control Act (SFS 1992-860) and the Narcotic Drugs Control Ordinance (SFS 1994:1554).
    Switzerland Controlled (Verzeichnis D) Specifically named under Verzeichnis D of the Swiss narcotics legislation. Possession, production, and sale are illegal.
    Turkey Controlled Regulated under the Law on Control of Narcotics no. 2313. Unauthorized possession, production, and distribution are prohibited.
    United Kingdom Class B Permanently classified in February 2013 following a Temporary Class Drug Order issued in April 2012. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs recommended scheduling after reviewing emerging evidence of harm.
    United States Schedule I Federally scheduled on July 6, 2022 under the Controlled Substances Act. Prior to federal scheduling, multiple states enacted their own controls including Alabama (2015), Arizona (2014), Florida (2012), Indiana (2012), Louisiana (2013), Minnesota (2012), North Dakota (2012), Ohio (2012), Virginia (2012), and Utah.

    Harm Reduction

    drugs.wiki

    - Variable potency and frequent misrepresentation have been reported; some user reports historically attributed to MXE were actually other dissociatives. Always test with reagents and, where possible, obtain confirmation via analytical drug checking (e.g., GC–MS/LC–MS). Volumetric dosing reduces large weighing errors. Evidence: Erowid MXE dosage note warns about misrepresented samples; Erowid experience category “What Was in That?” documents mislabeling cases; Erowid dosing articles explain liquid measurement to improve accuracy. - Acute clinical presentations can combine ketamine-like dissociation with sympathomimetic signs (tachycardia, hypertension). Low-dose benzodiazepines were used in case series management. Evidence: ED case series of analytically confirmed MXE exposures. - A distinct acute cerebellar toxidrome (ataxia, nystagmus, incoordination) has been repeatedly described after insufflation; symptoms may last beyond the main psychoactive phase but are usually reversible. Evidence: three analytically confirmed cases. - Chronic harms: animal and in vitro data indicate MXE can induce bladder inflammation/fibrosis and renal toxicity similar to ketamine cystitis; monitor for urinary frequency, urgency, dysuria, or hematuria and stop use if present. Evidence: mouse and rat studies and urothelial cell data. - Pharmacology: besides NMDA antagonism, MXE inhibits monoamine transporters with greatest potency at SERT (low micromolar), so serotonergic combinations may be more unpredictable than with ketamine. Active metabolites (O-desmethyl- and N-desethyl-MXE) retain NMDA-blocking activity and may extend/alter effects. Evidence: in vitro neuropharmacology profiles; NMDA IC50 data for MXE and metabolites. - Set/setting: high doses can cause immobility and loss of consciousness; use a sober sitter, clear physical hazards, and avoid heights/bodies of water. Evidence: harm-reduction guidance and effects summaries noting accident susceptibility. - ROA safety: avoid IV due to unknown cuts and insolubles; if choosing IM, use sterile water or saline, micron filtration, new sterile equipment, proper needle size/site, and aseptic technique to reduce abscess/infection risk. Evidence: Erowid injection basics; community harm-reduction guidance on filtration and sterile prep. - Nasal care: powders can irritate/anaesthetize mucosa; gentle isotonic saline rinse after sessions can reduce local irritation. Evidence: community HR guidance. - Driving/coordination: residual disequilibrium can last into the next day; do not drive or operate machinery until fully baseline. Evidence: TripSit duration (after-effects up to 48 h) and Erowid effects (accident susceptibility). - Legal risks: MXE is controlled in many jurisdictions (e.g., U.S. federally scheduled since July 6, 2022); penalties vary by region. Verify local law before possession. Evidence: Erowid legal status summary.

    References

    Cited References

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