3-MMC

What is 3-MMC?

3-MMC (3-methylmethcathinone) or metaphedrone belongs to the class of synthetic cathinones, a subgroup of amphetamines. 3-MMC generally occurs in powder or crystal form and is white, granular/crystal-like in structure. But it also appears in tablets. It closely resembles its brother mephedrone (4-MMC or M-CAT), but is often experienced by users as slightly less euphoric.

In addition, 3-MMC is a so-called New Psychoactive Substance (NPS) or research chemical. NPS are rarely well researched; Very little or nothing is known about the short and long-term risks, consequences of frequent use and the risk of addiction. Little is also known about the optimal dose and which dose poses a risk.

Always be extra careful with new drugs. This applies even more to resources that fall into the category NPS: You are your own guinea pig. If you don’t want to take a risk, don’t use drugs.

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Effects of 3-MMC

3-MMC is a stimulant.

The effect of a substance is determined by the properties of the substance itself, but also by the set and setting of the user. Here we describe the effects 3-MMC generally has.

The user feels energetic and tends to talk a lot. The euphoric effect is less than that of mephedrone.

Positive effecten	(negative) Side effects
Euphoria, feelings of love This substance can make you feel euphoric, like you are in love. You feel comfortable in your own skin and can experience things as pleasant more quickly.	Increase in blood pressure and heart rate Due to increased cardiac stimulation, heart rate and blood pressure rise.
Need for contact, conversation and intimacy Having a good conversation with someone, or cuddling, can be very pleasant and interesting.	Increased body temperature Stimulants cause increased activity in muscles, and increase the “base temperature” of the body. This causes the body temperature to increase.
Energetic feeling You have feelings of being energized. Sitting still is sometimes more difficult and this energetic feeling is often expressed through the urge to dance or move.	Craving Feeling a (strong) need to take more when the effect wears off.
Alertness This drug can make you more active than usual. You are feeling sharp, awkae and it is easy to focus your attention on the things that are happening around you.
Accelerated thoughts Thinking seems to go faster. It’s also easier to think clearly. You can go through certain steps in your head faster and make choices faster.	Confusion and restlessness Confusion and restlessness
Enhanced sensory perception All sensory experiences that you normally have such as feeling, smelling and tasting become stronger. For example, a nice drink can taste much tastier. Music seems to have gained an extra dimension. It is also possible that some senses become a bit oversensitive and that you find things too intense, such as the lights on the dance floor. So this can be positive or negative.	Paranoia and delusions Anxiety, paranoia and delusions (e.g. the idea that people are talking about you).
More intense music experiences Music can be experienced louder or more intense. For example, it can feel as if you are completely ‘absorbed’ in the music or that you feel the low tones from the music go through your body more intensely.	Irritation Easily annoyed or irritated.
(Nederlands) Verandering in tijdsperceptie The passage of time could feel altered during drug use. Some parts of the evening fly by, while some parts feel a lot slower. When you are feeling comfortable, it can be nice that the feeling does not seem to stop. But if you feel uncomfortable, this can be a bothersome experience. So this effect can work both ways.	Disinhibition This substance leads to an increase in impulsive behaviour and can make you less aware of the possible consequences that certain actions have. This can be nice because, for example, it is easier to approach someone and have a chat. However, it can also lead to negative situations as you can get into an argument or physical altercation more quickly.
More intense experience of touch Physical/physical contact with other people feels different or more intense than usual. Giving a hug to someone else can be very pleasant. It can also happen that you prefer not to touch others because this can be too intense. This effect can therefore be both positive and negative.	Dilated pupils Due to an increased noradrenaline level in the body after taking certain drugs, the pupils become larger. The pupil size is influenced by many different processes. Increase in noradrenaline plays a role in some of those processes.
Increased libido Increased sexual desires. You feel more attracted to others and feel a stronger need for sexual intimacy.	Double vision Not being able to focus your eyes properly.
	Decreased appetite Stimulation of the fight-or-flight response in the body can suppress appetite.
	Head ache Head ache
	Increased sweating In response to the increased stimulation and changes in body temperature, the skin will start to secrete sweat to cool the body temperature back to normal levels.
	Dry mouth Stimulation of sympathetic pathways decrease saliva production, this causes the mouth to feel dry.
	Nausea/vomiting An uneasy and tense feeling in the abdomen, which may cause discomfort. Nausea often precedes vomiting.
	Insomnia Some drugs keep you from falling asleep. Stimulants often have this effect, but even after using psychedelics or downers, sleep is disrupted and it is possible that you can’t sleep.
	Blue limbs The discoloration is due to the narrowing of the blood vessels.

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Dose and route of administration

3-MMC can be swallowed as well as snorted. It is snorted or swallowed (orally) by putting powder in a capsule or rolling paper (bomb). Sniffing 3-MMC can make you more prone to a strong urge to take a new dose (craving).

Doses for swallowing
Low	25 – 75 mg
Medium	75 – 150 mg
High	150+ mg

Doses for snorting
Low	15 – 25 mg
medium	25 – 75 mg
High	75+ mg

To know whether your pill or powder actually contains 3-MMC, you can have it tested in the Netherlands.

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Duration

The effects of 3-MMC are noticeable fairly quickly. Depending on what you have eaten, you will feel the effect after 20-60 minutes when swallowing. The peak is reached quite quickly and the effect can last for 4 to 7 hours. When snorting, it works within a few (3-5) minutes. The duration is a bit shorter when snorted.

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Risks

3-MMC is a New Psychoactive Substance (NPS) and therefore little is known about the risks. Some fatal incidents involving 3-MMC have been reported. The risks are expected to be in line with those of other stimulants, such as speed, cocaine and MDMA.

3-MMC speeds up the heart rate and raises blood pressure. People with high blood pressure and/or heart problems are not advised to experiment with stimulants. Users report that taking 3-MMC can lead to cravings  (a strong need to take more). These cravings often occur earlier with snorting than with swallowing 3-MMC.

Always be extra careful when taking new drugs. This applies even more to resources that fall into the category NPS: You are your own guinea pig. If you don’t want to take a risk, don’t use drugs.

Short term risks

Long term risks

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Interactions

Combining different types of drugs can be risky and unpredictable. When you combine drugs you can have a higher risk of health problems. In the following paragraphs you can read about the effects and the risks of a number of combinations that occur frequently and also a about few that are extra hazardous. Also check our theme combining drugs.

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Unity tips for 3-MMC

There is no really safe use of 3-MMC, but you can limit the risks. For this we at Unity have the following tips for you:

• Have your 3-MMC tested at a testing service.
• Use in a trusted environment, with people you know.
• Do not use if you are not feeling well mentally or physically.
• Use only for pleasure, not to combat symptoms such as fatigue.
• There is no research into the dangers of 3-MMC, but (fatal) incidents have been reported.
• Do not use if you have (had) psychological complaints or if you have psychological complaints (such as depression) in your family.
• Eat healthy before and after 3-MMC use. Especially lots of antioxidants and vitamins (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, grapes, raisins, oranges, kiwi, broccoli).
• It is difficult to eat during and after 3-MMC use, but preferably try to eat something salty (chips). Eating right definitely reduces the hangover! If you don’t get solid foods, think juices, breakfast drinks, smoothies.
• Do not use in: diabetes, weak heart, high blood pressure, pregnancy, epilepsy and psychological complaints or in combination with medicines (especially not with MAO inhibitors and asthma medicines).
• Do not drink more than 2 glasses of water per hour, otherwise the risk of water intoxication increases.
• Make sure you don’t get too hot during 3-MMC use: rest occasionally, do not wear warm clothes, no headgear, and drink water or soft drinks every now and then.
• Do not combine with alcohol and other drugs.
• Do not participate in traffic.
• 3-MMC evokes feelings of intimacy. In combination with a carefree mood, safe sex can sometimes be missed. Be prepared and have a condom with you.

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FAQ

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