Update on synthetic cathinone type drugs

Drugs known as ‘Synthetic cathinones’ have been found at festivals this summer, but what are they?

About synthetic cathinones

Synthetic cathinones are closely related to the naturally occurring parent compound ‘cathinone’ which is found in the Khat plant. Human-made versions of cathinone can be much stronger than the natural product and are known to have a number of health harms.

Synthetic cathinones are man-made stimulant type drugs which can give similar effects to MDMA (ecstasy), cocaine, amphetamine (speed) or methamphetamine (crystal meth). The effects will depend on which synthetic cathinone is used, some may be more potent than others. They will all differ in the way they work, i.e. how, where, how long and how strong etc

How do they look?

Most cathinones are found as either a fine white, off-white or yellowish powder or brown in colour. They could be sold as ecstasy pills without people being aware of the contents.

Synthetic cathinones in Head Shops

Synthetic cathinones are a large family of drugs with mephedrone (meph, drone, MCAT, bath salts) being the most well-known. Around 2008 mephedrone become one of the most well-known varieties of these substances after it was available in high street shops ‘Head Shops’ and online. At this time, there were legal loop holes and a number of new psychoactive substances including synthetic cathinones weren’t controlled by international and local policy which meant that they could be legally sold in shops and online. While legally sold, these substances still had a huge impact on people’s health. In 2010, new legalisation (Criminal Justice Psychoactive Substance Act) was enacted which essentially closed down the Head Shops in Ireland and controlled the sale of any substance which has psychoactive properties.

Despite the closure of the Head Shops, synthetic cathinones were not fully removed from the market and began to be sold alongside other traditional drugs on the black market. Following this period and legislative change, there was a significant reduction in the use of synthetic cathinones among the general population. However, use continued among people experiencing homelessness, within the chemsex scene and among some other user groups. These substances continue to evolve and new versions appear on the market. More recently in Europe, synthetic cathinones have emerged being sold as MDMA and other drugs without people knowing what they are consuming.

Health concerns and synthetic cathinones

Short effects and strong cravings: The effects of synthetic cathinones are short and can cause strong cravings to re-dose. This can lead to people using more than planned and it could be hard to stop use in one session. Using larger amounts can increase the risk of a person experiencing a drug emergency.
Short-term health harms: There is a risk of over-stimulating the heart, over-stimulating the nervous system and causing fits.
Lowered inhibitions: Cathinones can lower people’s inhibitions meaning they may do things they otherwise wouldn’t do. We have seen HIV outbreaks in Ireland associated with the use of ‘Snow Blow’ which was a local term used to describe cathinone type drugs (a-PVP and MDPV). This outbreak was associated with unprotected sex and sharing needles among Snow Blow users.
Strong effects on mental health: There is a link between cathinones and negative mental health such as causing anxiety, paranoia, low mood, self-harm and suicide. People can also experience severe ‘comedowns’, pro-longed insomnia and depression after use.
Dependency: It can be difficult for people to stop using synthetic cathinones if they use frequently which can lead to dependency issues for some.

Recent emergence of synthetic cathinones sold as MDMA

The Loop UK have found a number of different synthetic cathinone substances sold as MDMA pills, powders and crystals. Results from their substance analysis at music festivals in 2021 confirmed the adulteration of a variety of MDMA products with caffeine and cathinones. Cathinones were identified as the primary component in 19.4% of samples submitted to their service, with 4-CMC (4-Chloromethcathinone) representing more than half of all cathinones detected (Pascoe et al., 2022).

Warnings have also been issued across Europe in Spain, Switzerland and Austria in response to the emergence of synthetic cathinones sold as MDMA products.

‘Back of house’ drug testing at Electric Picnic’22

A sizable sample of the synthetic cathinone type substance 3-CMC in the form of large white crystals was surrendered in a medical facility bin by a person accessing the service. We are unable to know if this person knew they were using 3-CMC or if they thought it was MDMA. This was the first time that 3-CMC has been found in Ireland.
Mephedrone (4-MMC) was also found in 1 pill at the event but we can’t confirm if this intentionally added to the MDMA pill analysed by the HSE or if it emerged as a contaminant from equipment used in the production process.

Earlier this year, the HSE also identified the cathinone 3-MMC in samples obtained through syringe analysis among Merchants Quay Ireland clients (Mc Namara et al., 2022), however, due to nature of this syringe analysis study, we cannot confirm if the user group represented are actively purchasing 3-MMC or if it is being sold as another stimulant type drug.

For more information on ‘back of house’ drug testing download our report

More information

Alerts by the Loop
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