Mephedrone aka m-cat, meow meow, drone or plant food is a stimulant drug belonging to the chemical family of the ‘cathinones’ group of drugs. Cathinones are a group of drugs related to amphetamine compounds like speed and ecstasy.
Mephedrone was made illegal in 2010. To get around the law, dealers often described mephedrone as plant food, research chemicals or bath salts, and not for human consumption.
The effect of mephedrone is often described as a mix between amphetamines, ecstasy and cocaine. The effects of mephedrone last for about an hour, but this can vary.
Some risks can include: Feeling sick, paranoid and anxious. Vomiting and headaches. Overstimulating and damaging your heart and your circulation. Overstimulating your nervous system, which may cause hallucinations. Feelings of agitation and even fits. Palpitations, insomnia, loss of short-term memory, vertigo, grinding of teeth, sweating and uncomfortable changes in body temperature. Blue or cold fingers – this is probably because mephedrone affects the heart and the circulation. Severe nosebleeds have been reported after snorting.
You increase the risks to yourself if you combine alcohol with mephedrone or any substance that causes a ‘high’, including increasing the risk of death. Overheating has been a significant cause of deaths when other amphetamine-type drugs, such as ecstasy, have been used along with mephedrone.