2-MEC appeared on grey-market outlets around 2012 as a mephedrone substitute, often in 'NRG-2' blends. Studies indicate 2-substituted cathinones are generally weaker than 3- or 4-substituted analogs due to steric hindrance. Users describe it as producing less empathogenic effects compared to mephedrone, with more prominent stimulation and cardiovascular strain. Limited pharmacokinetic data exists; exercise extreme caution with dosing. Multi-gram binges carry serious risks of hyperthermia, hyponatraemia, and severe vasoconstriction.
Also known as: Ortho-ethcathinone, 2-methylethcathinone, 2-methyl-N-ethylcathinone, N-ethyl-2-methylcathinone, O-methyl-N-ethylcathinone, Ortho-methylethcathinone
Classification
Chemical: Cathinone
Psychoactive: Entactogen
Psychoactive: Stimulant
Tag: Habit-Forming
Tag: Research-Chemical
Tag: Tentative
Effects
Stimulation
Teeth Grinding
Jaw Clenching
Increased Heart Rate
Vasoconstriction
Physical Energy
Euphoria
Increased Sociability
Focus Enhancement
Empathy Enhancement
Compulsive Redosing
Anxiety
Tactile Enhancement
Light Sensitivity
Appetite Suppression
Increased Libido
Dehydration
Open Eye Visuals
Routes of Administration
Oral / Sublingual
Dosage
Threshold: 25 mg
Light: 25-60 mg
Common: 60-250 mg
Strong: 250-400 mg
Heavy: 400 mg
Duration
Onset: 0.25-0.67 h
Comeup: 0.33-0.67 h
Peak: 0.5-1.5 h
Offset: 1-2 h
After Effects: 2-6 h
Insufflated
Dosage
Threshold: 5–15 mg
Light: 10-25 mg
Common: 25-150 mg
Strong: 100-250 mg
Heavy: 250+ mg
Duration
Onset: 0.08-0.17 h
Comeup: 0.17-0.33 h
Peak: 0.5-1.5 h
Offset: 1-2 h
After Effects: 2-6 h
Total Duration: 1.5-3 h
Rectal
Dosage
Threshold: 15–30 mg
Light: 20-50 mg
Common: 50-180 mg
Strong: 180-300 mg
Heavy: 300+ mg
Duration
Onset: 0.17-0.33 h
Comeup: 0.25-0.5 h
Peak: 0.5-1.5 h
Offset: 1-2 h
After Effects: 2-6 h
Oral
Dosage
Common: 100-200 mg
Light: 50-100 mg
Strong: 200-350 mg
Heavy: 350+ mg
Threshold: 20–40 mg
Duration
Onset: 0.25-0.75 h
Peak: 0.5-1.5 h
Offset: 1.5-3 h
After Effects: 3-9 h
Total Duration: 2-5 h
Sublingual
Dosage
Heavy: 250+ mg
Light: 30–80 mg
Common: 80–180 mg
Strong: 180–250 mg
Threshold: 15–30 mg
Duration
No data available for this section yet.
Harm Reduction
Check interactions before mixing substances, pay attention to dose spacing and hydration, and treat all dosage guidance as approximate rather than guaranteed safe.
Sources
Substance data is aggregated from the following public harm-reduction and reference sources.
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2-MEC - DrugsPRO substance guide
2-MEC: 2-MEC appeared on grey-market outlets around 2012 as a mephedrone substitute, often in 'NRG-2' blends. Studies indicate 2-substituted cathinones are generally weaker than 3- or 4-substituted analogs due to steric hindrance. Users describe it as producing less empathogenic effects compared to
