Ephylone crystal rocks

Ephylone crystal rocks – More information

N-Ethylpentylone (also known as bk-EBDP, βk-EBDP, and ephylone) is a novel stimulant–entactogen substance of the cathinone class. Ephylone is chemically related to pentylone and belongs to a group of compounds known as the substituted cathinones. Little is known about its pharmacology, although it likely produces its effects by increasing levels of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in the brain.

Ephylone was developed in the 1960s by Boehringer Ingelheim as a central nervous system stimulant, although it never became marketed. Reports of recreational use first appeared in late 2015. Since then, its prevalence has steadily risen, particularly at dance music festivals where it appears as an adulterant or counterfeit for MDMA. Ephylone has been linked to numerous hospitalizations and overdose deaths.

User reports indicate that ephylone produces a mixture of classic stimulant and entactogenic effects resembling those of MDMA, methylone and cocaine. Typical effects include stimulation, disinhibition, increased libido, compulsive redosing, and euphoria. Unlike similar substances, however, ephylone is reported to be very long lasting when taken in larger doses. The significance of this is not known, although it may indicate that it has a different toxicity profile compared to other stimulants.

Ephylone is sold online as a research chemical alongside other synthetic cathinones like ethylone and dibutylone. Due to the lack of research, it is highly advised to use harm reduction practices if using this substance.

clinical data

Ephylone dosage table

Ephylone effect progress

History and culture

Synthetic cathinones were first synthesized in the late 1920s, starting with methcathinone and mephedrone. However, they did not find medical use due to their side effects. In the early 2000s, synthetic cathinones began to be sold in “head” shops and online as designer drugs, also known as research chemicals and “legal highs”. Their quasi-legality and ability to substitute for traditional stimulants like cocaine or amphetamine made them popular in certain demographics. Due to a history of being falsely marketed as bath salt products, they are referred in the media as “bath salts.”

The synthesis of ephylone was first described in a patent filed by Boehringer Ingelheim in 1969. It was described alongside the synthesis of other novel central nervous system stimulants including pentylone, butylone and dibutylone. However, its pharmacological properties were not tested and it was never marketed.

The emergence of ephylone on the recreational drug market was reported in drug seizures for the first time in 2016. According to 2017 DEA reports, ephylone was the number one reported synthetic cathinone accounting for 55%, 50% and 38% of cases reported for the first three quarters of 2017, respectively.

Reports about the availability and effects of ephylone began to appear in forums such as bluelight.org or drugs-forum.com by mid-2015. A 2018 report issued by the drug testing organization Energy Control found evidence indicating increasing use of ephylone as a counterfeit or adulterant for MDMA.

Chemistry

Ephylone, or N-ethylpentylone, is a synthetic substance belonging to a group known as substituted cathinones. Substituted cathinones are derivatives of the naturally occurring substance cathinone, which is one of the psychoactive principles in khat (Catha edullis). Cathinone is composed of a phenethylamine core with an alkyl group attached to the alpha carbon, and a ketone group attached to the beta carbon.

Ephylone is a structural analog of pentylone. Pentylone’s chemical structure consists of a cathinone core substituted with a methylenedioxy ring at R3 and R4 of the phenyl ring, a propyl group at the alpha carbon, and a methyl group at the amino group. Ephylone has an identical structure with the exception of an N-ethyl alkyl substituting for the N-methyl moiety.

Toxicity

Ephylone is a research chemical with a very short history of human usage. Very little is known about its long-term health effects and the exact toxic dosage is unknown.

Numerous reports of hospitalizations and overdose deaths indicate that ephylone is extremely toxic at very high dosages. The DEA claimed approximately 151 ephylone-related deaths occurred in the U.S. between 2014 and 2018. Higher dosages of ephylone have been linked to serotonin syndrome, rhabdomyolysis, kidney injury, acidemia and other life-threatening symptoms.

It is strongly advised to use harm reduction practices if using this substance.

Abuse

As with other stimulants, the chronic use of ephylone can be considered moderately addictive with a high potential for abuse. It is capable of causing psychological dependence among certain users. When addiction has developed, cravings and withdrawal effects will occur if one suddenly stops their use.

Tolerance to many of the effects of ephylone develops with prolonged and repeated use. This results in users having to administer increasingly large doses to achieve the same effects.

Serotonin syndrome risk

Combinations with the following substances can cause dangerously high serotonin levels. Serotonin syndrome requires immediate medical attention and can be fatal if left untreated.

Legal status

Ephylone is currently unscheduled in most parts of the world.