Methoxetamine

Compound: METHOXETAMINE
Other names: Designer Drugs, Mexxy, MKet, MXE (Rhino Ket, Novel Psychoactive Substance (NSP), Research Chemical (RC), Special K
Download Methoxetamine flyer here

Methoxetamine (MXE) belongs to a class of compounds called Arylcyclohexylamines, which typically produce dissociation, anesthesia and hallucinogenic effects. Methoxetamine is is chemically and pharmacologically similar to other dissociative substances, such as ketamine and phencyclidine (PCP). Some sources suggest it was initially synthesised by an underground chemist for treatment of chronic pain, but it has been present on the designer drug market since 2010 in the form of a white powder. There is very little information in the scientific literature on the pharmacology, toxicology and safety of this substance.

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ADMINISTRATION

MXE can be taken intranasal (snorted), oral (sublingual or swallowed) or injected (intramuscularly or IV).

DURATION OF EFFECTS
(intranasal)
Total duration: 2-5 hours
Onset: 5-30 mins
Peak: 1 – 2 hours
Coming down: 1 – 2 hours
Half life: The felt effects of the drug wear off after approx. 4+ hours, but it’s still active in your system for 3-6 hours.  Remember this if mixing with other drugs.

DRUG TESTS

Roadside Police: Roadside saliva tests do not look for MXE however other substances can be detected that might have been cut into them. It is illegal to drive under the influence of any illicit drugs, including speed and any driver may be subject to a roadside behavioural impairment test. Wait at least 48 hours before driving.

Drug Checking: Lab-quality testing is recommended for best results and is available in Canberra (ACT) and in Brisbane & Gold Coast (QLD). 

EFFECTS

MXE is a dissociative anesthetic, so high doses have the potential to cause the loss of a person’s ability to move and loss of consciousness. MXE is notably more potent than ketamine and its effects last significantly longer. For this reason, it is important for a person taking them to let someone else know they’ve taken it or preferably to have a trusted, sober person nearby to assist them if needed (e.g., a trip sitter).

Physical effects

  • COMMON

    • Analgesia, numbness
    • Pleasant body high
    • Increased energy
    • Ataxia (loss of motor skills and coordination)
    • Neutral/slightly increased heart rate
    • Dilated pupils
    • Slurred speech
    • Nasal discomfort after snorting
    • Susceptibility to accidents from loss of coordination and change in perception of body and time

     

    LESS COMMON

    • Loss of consciousness
    • Increased or decreased blood pressure
    • Nausea/vomiting
    • Reduced heart rate & breathing. Risk increases with increased dose or when combined with CNS (central nervous system) depressants
    • Urinary tract infection symptoms
    • Heart palpitations
    • Stomach pain (most common when swallowed)

     

    RARE

    • Seizure
    • ‘Ketamine Bladder Syndrome’ more common with long term use.
    • Urinating blood caused by mild to severe urinary tract infections.

Emotional effects

COMMON

  • Disconnection from the world (beings or objects) like a peculiar feeling of separation
  • Euphoria
  • Meaningful spiritual experience

 

LESS COMMON

  • Enhances sense of connection with the world (beings or objects)
  • Frightening or untimely distortion (or loss) of sensory perception
  • Anxiety/Panic

Psychological effects

COMMON

  • Sense of calm and serenity
  • Pleasant mental high
  • Abstract thinking
  • Distortion or loss of sensory perceptions
  • Open and closed eye visuals
  • Dissociation of mind and body
  • An amusing sense of confusion/disorientation

 

LESS COMMON

  • Dissociation, out-of-body experiences
  • Significant distortion of time perception
  • A distressing sense of confusion/disorientation
  • Visual hallucinations
  • Amnesia
  • ‘K-Hole’- intense mind-body dissociation

 

RARE

  • Significant shift in reality perception
  • Risk of psychological dependency
  • Severe amnesia
  • Severe confusion/disorientation
  • Paranoia, egocentric megalomaniac (with regular use)
  • Severe dissociation, depersonalisation
  • Nightmares
  • Delirium or Psychosis

SAFER USING & DOSING
Taking drugs is never without risk. In an unregulated market it’s difficult to know the purity or dose of any drug.

  • Start with a very small amount to test the strength. Give it time to feel the effects before redosing, it can quickly become too much. 
  • Due to its potency, these substances are commonly used in small doses (‘bumps’) rather than larger amounts (‘lines’).
  • If injecting- especially IV- only have SMALL amounts as it comes on IMMEDIATELY and you usually k-hole right away. 
  • Eating within 1½ hours prior to using ketamine can cause nausea & vomiting 
  • Have a sober friend present, you may need a trip sitter to assist you!
  • Be seated, especially with higher doses due to the effects on coordination 
  • If redosing, wait at least 2 hours

The dosage range for methoxetamine is lower than ketamine due to its higher potency.
Intranasal dose is approx 10-20mg (light) to 35-60mg (strong) and the effects would be felt between 10-30 minutes after ingestion.
Oral dose is approx 25mg to 45mg (common)
Intramuscular dose range is between 10mg to 50mg.

LONGER TERM EFFECTS
The toxicity and long-term health effects of recreational MXE use do not seem to have been studied in any scientific context. Similar to ketamine, there are risks of bladder problems and kidney damage with prolonged use of the substance.

Drug combinations

Possible outcomes. What works for one person may not work for another. We recommend you proceed with caution.

Unsafe combinations

Mixing MXE with opioids, benzos, GHB, GBL or alcohol has the risk of causing ataxia, sedation, vomiting and unconsciousness.

Cautionary combinations

Low risk effects

Check out the TripSit drug combinations chart here for info on other combinations.

Call 000 if experiencing adverse effects, feel unwell or concerned in any way

Disclaimer

This educational resource has been developed collaboratively by healthcare workers and people who use drugs for their peers and the wider community. The role of Hi-Ground is to provide practical, evidence-based, unbiased information to assist you to make educated choices and to promote harm reduction, community care, and wellbeing. In an unregulated market it’s impossible to know the purity or dose of any substance. Taking drugs from an unregulated market carries its own risk, and you can educate yourself and practice harm reduction to reduce this risk.

Knowledge is power.

This resource is produced by DanceWize & Hi-Ground