Mephedrone effects

What exactly is Mephedrone and what effects does Mephedrone have? 5 facts about mephedrone before you use it here.

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What exactly is Mephedrone and what should you know about Mephedrone if you are planning to take it?  We review 5 facts about mephedrone to warn you of addiction and health risks (not to mention legal)…and then take a look at the effect laws have on use.  Please leave your questions or comments about mephedrone at the bottom of the page!

Mephedrone: 5 facts before you take it

1. Mephedrone is now illegal in many countries.

At the time of writing it is a prohibited substance in nearly all European Countries, in Australia and New Zealand. In the U.S. it is legal in most states as long as it is not advertised as for human consumption. In Canada it is as good as illegal as it is believed to resemble chemically at least, amphetamine which is a controlled drug.

2. Mephedrone is addictive.

As with any substance or activity that makes you feel good, frequent use can result in addiction. Some signs of Mephedrone addiction can include:

  • agitation
  • cravings
  • hallucinations
  • headaches
  • increased tolerance for the drug
  • mood swings
  • nausea
  • paranoia
  • rashes

3. Mephedrone overdose is a real possibility.

Compared to other recreational drugs, it is relatively easy to overdose on Mephedrone. This is because it is so moreish, that is once you’ve had some it is difficult to stop taking it. This seems to be particularly true for those snorting it. Symptoms of a Mephedrone overdose are not pleasant and in rare cases an overdose can be fatal. Signs of overdose include:

  • anxiety
  • bluing limbs
  • chest pains
  • heart palpitations
  • numbing limbs
  • paranoia
  • tinnitus

The above signs of overdose will generally begin to arise after a user has taken more than 250 mg of the drug but this is, of course dependent on a number of factors such as body weight, sex, experience with the drug and so on.

4. Mephedrone can cause autoimmune vasculitis.

Autoimmune vasculitis occurs when a mephedrone user’s immune system attacks itself. Symptoms of this condition include unexplained bruising and a bluish tinge at the joints. ‘Luckily’ this only occurs among a small percentage of users and is thought to be triggered by a genetic predisposition. If you find yourself exhibiting such symptoms then STOP taking Mephedrone. If you do not, the symptoms will get progressively worse.

5. Snorting mephedrone is more risky for overdose.

The oral route is the most popular because it has the least side effects; however, it can take some time for the effects to be felt so you need to wait at least half an hour. Do not re-dose as you may then experience an overdose. Snorting Mephedrone is not advised as it seems to induce more cravings than the oral route and before you know it your in overdose territory.

The legality of mephedrone

Legal highs have become big news over the past 2 years or so, and if there was one substance that started it all it was the then legal high Mephedrone. Mephedrone was linked to two deaths in the UK in March 2010 and the hysteria this generated in the press resulted in it being swiftly classified a class B drug which prohibits its use, supply and manufacture.

Some would say this was a knee jerk reaction by government being manipulated by public hysteria. Alcohol, after all, is responsible for many more deaths (Mephedrone has been linked to 26 deaths in the U.K. so far) and yet it remains legal and available in every street in the country.

As an interesting side note: The Guardian newspaper (based in the U.K.) recently published an article in which it published statistics compiled by the British Crime Survey. These figures show that since the prohibition of Mephedrone in April 2010 its use among the young (16-24 age group) has actually INCREASED and this is despite the fact that it is now more expensive and harder to get hold of. Mephedrone is now as popular an illicit drug as cocaine, which begs the question; Is current government drug policy effective or is it time for a radical rethink?

About the author
Charles Somerville is the writer of The Alcoholism Guide, a website that looks at alcoholism in all its forms and the effects of alcohol abuse on mental and physical health.
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