ETH-CAT crystal rocks

ETH-CAT crystal rocks – More information

Ethylcathinone (also known as Ethylpropion, Ethcathinone, and commonly as ETH-CAT) is a stimulant substance of the cathinone chemical class that produces stimulating and focus enhancing effects when administered. It is structurally related to cathinone and methcathinone (MCAT), which broadly shares the effects profile of amphetamine or methylphenidate.

Of the substituted cathinones, ETH-CAT reportedly produces the most moderate and residually long-lasting stimulation, with subtle effects that persist well after the initial rush. It has been described as having a more functional than recreational character due to the limited euphoria it produces for a stimulant, although its short active duration can promote compulsive redosing.

Very little data exists about the pharmacological properties, metabolism, and toxicity of ETH-CAT, and it has little history of human usage. It is primarily distributed as a research chemical on the online grey market. In 2008 it was identified as an ingredient in both quasi-legal “party pills”. It has also been reported as having been sold as “ecstasy” along with another substituted cathinone, mephedrone. It is highly advised to use harm reduction practices if using this substance.

clinical data

ETH-CAT dosage table

ETH-CAT effect progress

Chemistry

Ethylcathinone, or ETH-CAT, is a synthetic alkaloid of the substituted cathinone class. Substituted cathinones are all derivatives of cathinone, a stimulant substance which is structurally and functionally related to amphetamine and the principal active psychoactive component present in the khat plant (Catha edulis). The cathinone molecule is comprised of a phenethylamine core featuring a phenyl ring bound to an amino (NH₂) group at the end of an ethyl side-chain that contains ketone group in the beta position.

In distinction to its N-methylated lower homolog, methcathinone (M-CAT), ETH-CAT possesses an additional ethyl substitution at R_α. ETH-CAT can be thought of as the cathinone analog of ethylamphetamine given it has the same general formula, differing only by the addition of a single double-bonded oxygen (i.e. the ketone group).

Toxicity

The toxicity and long-term health effects of recreational ETH-CAT use do not seem to have been studied in any scientific context and the exact toxic dosage is unknown. This is because ETH-CAT has very little history of human usage. Anecdotal reports from people within the community who have tried ETH-CAT suggest 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 (although nothing can be completely guaranteed). Others have commented that its d-isomer form is virtually similar to the effects of d-isomer amphetamine, and has thus far shown little reason to suspect that its toxicity is radically different (though this has yet to be scientifically validated).

It is strongly recommended that one use harm reduction practices when using this substance.

Tolerance

As with other stimulants, ETH-CAT may also possess habit-forming or reinforcing properties. Compared with other stimulants, however, chronic use of ETH-CAT is more likely to be considered to be only mildly addictive with a comparatively low potential for abuse. Early studies demonstrate ETH-CAT suppresses cocaine self-administration in rhesus monkeys, without the adverse effects associated with older dopamine releasing agent (e.g., amphetamine). Despite this, ethcathinone may still be capable of causing psychological dependence among certain users.

Tolerance to many of the effects of ETH-CAT develops with prolonged and repeated use. This results in users having to administer increasingly large doses to achieve the same effects. After that, it takes about 2 – 3 days for the tolerance to be reduced to half and 3-5 days to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). ETH-CAT presents cross-tolerance with all dopaminergic stimulants, meaning that after the consumption of ETH-CAT all stimulants will have a reduced effect.

Psychosis

Abuse of compounds within the amphetamine chemical class at high dosages for prolonged periods of time can potentially result in a stimulant psychosis that may present with a variety of symptoms (e.g., paranoia, hallucinations, or delusions). A review on treatment for amphetamine and methamphetamine abuse-induced psychosis states that about 5–15% of users fail to recover completely. The same review asserts that, based upon at least one trial, antipsychotic medications effectively resolve the symptoms of acute amphetamine psychosis. Psychosis is known to arises only very rarely from therapeutic use.

Legal status

ETH-CAT is currently an unscheduled compound within all parts of the world, meaning its regulation lies in a legal grey area and is not explicitly prohibited within any country. However, people may still be charged for its possession under certain circumstances such as under analogue laws due to its similarity to methcathinone, a widely prohibited substance, provided there is intent to sell or consume.