What is 3-MMC?

3-Methylmethcathinone (or 3-MMC) is a synthetic entactogenic stimulant belongs to a chemical class known as cathinone and exhibits stimulating, entactogenic and mild hallucinogenic effects. 3-MMC is basically cathionone derivative, which is the principle active constituent of plant “khat” (Cathullus edullis) found in east Africa. It has been considered as a less potent version of 4-mmc (mephedrone).

The 3-MMC can be obtained through online as a research chemical. It becomes first available soon after mephedrone was banned.

3-MMC belongs to a substituted cathinone class, where cathinones are the sub-class of amphetamines. It is structurally analogous to mephedrone, and differs in the substitution of methyl group at R3 rather than at R4. It possesses the same core amphetamine structure of a phenyl ring which by the virtue of ethyl chain is attached to an amino group and also exhibits methyl substitution at R. It differs from other cathinones by the ketone attachment on the beta carbon of the amphetamine framework, that’s why they are also known as the keto-amphetamines. 3-MMC undergoes two methyl substitutions, such as at R3 position of the phenyl ring and the other at the nitrogen group RN on the cathinone skeleton.

It is available in market as white powder or crystallized shards and is taken via insufflations, vaporized solutions or through injections. It has been regarded as a notoriously dangerous drug, due to its potential for inducing compulsive redosing that could lead to paranoid, stimulant psychosis and delusional state.

Bioactivity of 3-MMC

It is a fast-acting substance that produces powerful yet short-lived euphoric stimulant-entactogenic effects on its administration.

There isn’t enough data reported on the pharmacological properties, metabolism and toxicity of this substance and has a scarce history of human consumption. So the pharmacological activity explained is purely an educated guess and based on the structural and subjective effects shown by other similar stimulants such as amphetamine, mephedrone and 2-FMA. 3-MMC is predicted to act as dopamine and norepinephrine releasing agent, which indicates that they are responsible for increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine neurotransmitters in brain. This is essentially carried out by binding and partly blocking the transporter proteins involved in the release of monoamines from the synaptic cleft. When this happens, the dopamine and norephinephrine gets accumulated within brain and results in substantial stimulant and euphoric effect.

Expected Physical effects of 3-MMC

It acts to produce stimulation, spontaneous physical sensations (commonly known as “body high”), physical euphoria and disinhibition, tactile enhancement, increased stamina and body control, temperature regulation suppression due to which body temperature is increased, vasoconstriction, abnormal heartbeat, increased heart rate and perspiration, nausea, headache, dehydration, dry mouth, decreased appetite, muscle contractions, pupil dilation, increased libido, orgasm suppression, nystagmus, teeth grinding, seizure.

It has various cognitive effects and act to cause cognitive euphoria, anxiety suppression, and an increased appreciation of music, empathy, affection, sociability, motivation and immersion enhancement is observed. Individuals are likely to experiences delirium, confusion, thought deceleration and time compression and other visual and auditory effects such as color enhancement, pattern recognition enhancement, suppression of double vision, distortions of tracers and symmetrical texture repetition and auditory hallucinations and enhancements.

Also the after-effects present itself in the form of anxiety, cognitive fatigue, depression, irritability, wakefulness, thought deceleration and decreased motivation.

Dosage Information for 3-MMC

The minimal amount of 3-MMC required to produce action starts from a dose of 10 – 25 mg and mild effects are reported when taken in dosage of around 25 – 75 mg. The normal dose varies from 75 – 150 mg, while a dose of 150 – 300 mg has been administered when strong action is desired. The dosages above 300 mg are likely to cause substantial adverse effects and may prove to be fatal.

It is a short acting drug and its duration of action lasts from 4 – 6 hours. The onset of action is from 10 – 30 minutes and an increased stimulant effect is experienced within 30 – 60 minutes. The peak affects are observed at 2 – 3 hours, while it begins to offset soon after some hours.

The after effects of 3-MMC can be experienced 3 – 6 hours after the last dose taken.

Other names

3-Methylmethcathinone, 3-Mephedrone, (RS) – 2 -(methylamino)-1-(3-methylphenyl)-1-propanone, designer drug.