3-MeO-PCE may have a higher risk of causing mania, delusions, and psychosis than other dissociatives. It is strongly discouraged to take this substance in high dosages, for multiple days in a row, or in combination with other substances known to increase the risk of psychosis. Please see this section for more details.



3-Methoxyeticyclidine (also known as Methoxieticyclidine and 3-MeO-PCE) is a novel dissociative substance of the arylcyclohexylamine class that produces dissociative and hallucinogenic effects when administered. It is a structural analog of PCE.

3-MeO-PCE began to gain popularity in 2010 [2] and is sold on the online grey area research chemical market as a legal alternative to PCP or ketamine.[3][4][5]

Very little data exists about the pharmacological properties, metabolism, and toxicity of 3-MeO-PCE, and it has a very brief history of human usage. It is strongly recommended that one use harm reduction practices if using this substance.

Chemistry

3-MeO-PCE, or N-Ethyl-1-(3-methoxyphenyl)cyclohexan-1-amine, is classed as an arylcyclohexylamine drug. Ayrlcyclohexylamine drugs are named for their structures which include a cyclohexane ring bound to an aromatic ring along with an amine group. 3-MeO-PCE contains a phenyl ring with a methoxy (CH 3 -O-) substituent at R 3 bonded to a cyclohexane ring. Bound to the same carbon (R 1 ) of the cyclohexanone ring is an amino ethyl chain -NCH 2 CH 3 . 3-MeO-PCE, like MXE, contains an amino ethyl chain rather than the amino methyl chain found in DCK and ketamine. 3-MeO-PCE is analogous to MXE, but lacks an R 2 substituted ketone. It is also homologous to 3-MeO-PCP but lacks the additional carbons to complete a piperidine ring.

Pharmacology

3-MeO-PCE acts principally as an NMDA receptor antagonist. NMDA receptors allow for electrical signals to pass between neurons in the brain and spinal column; for the signals to pass, the receptor must be open. Dissociatives close the NMDA receptors by blocking them. This disconnection of neurons leads to loss of feeling, difficulty moving, and eventually an almost identical equivalent of the famous “k-hole.”

3-MeO-PCE has Ki values of 61 nM for the NMDA receptor, 743 nM for the dopamine transporter, 2097 nM for the histamine H2 receptor, 964 nM for the Alpha-2A adrenergic receptor, 115 nM for the serotonin transporter, 4519 nM for the σ1 receptor and 525 nM for the σ2 receptor. [6]

Subjective effects

3-MeO-PCE can be said to share extremely similar properties to that of 3-MeO-PCP but with a potentially higher risk of inducing states of mania, delusions and potential psychosis due to the greater degree of euphoric stimulation and the compulsive redosing it can lead to. However, the effects are reported to largely converge with those of 3-MeO-PCP after a certain dose-point, when the dissociating effects come to dominate.

It is also often reported to be significantly more stimulating and less sedating than other dissociatives such as ketamine or MXE while more comfortable than O-PCE, MXP, diphenidine and other noradrenaline reuptake inhibiting dissociative compounds which suggests that it may have a higher affinity for dopamine or serotonin.[citation needed]

Disclaimer: The effects listed below cite the Subjective Effect Index (SEI), a literature which relies on collected anecdotal reports and the personal experiences of PsychonautWiki contributors. As a result, they should be taken with a healthy amount of skepticism. It is worth noting that these effects will not necessarily occur in a consistent or reliable manner, although higher doses (common+) are more likely to induce the full spectrum of reported effects. Likewise, adverse effects become much more likely with higher doses and may include serious injury or death.

Experience reports

Anecdotal reports which describe the effects of this compound within our experience index include:

Additional experience reports can be found here:

Toxicity and harm potential

The toxicity and long-term health effects of recreational 3-MeO-PCE use do not seem to have been studied in any scientific context and the exact toxic dosage is unknown. This is because 3-MeO-PCE has very little history of human usage.

Psychosis

3-MeO-PCE has been reported to cause psychosis, delusions, and mania at a significantly higher rate than other dissociatives such as ketamine, diphenidine, or MXE. There are a large number of experience reports online which describe states of "psychotic delirium, amnesia, mania, and other serious consequences" after abusing the substance.

It is strongly recommended that one use extreme caution and harm reduction practices when using this substance.

Users should avoid using the substance multiple days in a row or becoming addicted to it as this increases the risk of severe adverse effects.

The recommended dosage range should not be exceeded as high doses can trigger these effects as well.

Users should start with extremely low doses and work their way up as slowly as possible. Volumetric liquid dosing should preferably be used due to the substance's potency; most standard milligram scales cannot accurately weigh out doses below 10-15mg. [7]

Compulsive redosing before one has fully sobered up is not recommended and can result in too high of a dose.

Due to the risk of psychosis, it is not recommended to combine this drug with other substances, especially stimulants, psychedelics, or other dissociatives like MXE. Independent research should always be done to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe before consumption.

It is strongly recommended that one use harm reduction practices, such as volumetric dosing, when using this substance to ensure the accurate administration of the intended dose.

Tolerance and addiction potential

The chronic use of 3-MeO-PCE can be considered highly addictive with a high potential for adverse side effects such as psychosis. In comparison to other dissociatives, 3-MeO-PCE has been reported to be more habit-forming than MXE, diphenidine, ephenidine, and ketamine. When addiction has developed, cravings and withdrawal effects may occur if a person suddenly stops their usage. There have been multiple reports across the internet of people becoming seriously addicted daily users of this substance so serious precautions and considerations should be taken before trying this substance.

Tolerance to many of the effects of 3-MeO-PCE develops with prolonged and repeated use. This results in users having to administer increasingly large doses to achieve the same effects. After that, it takes about 3 - 7 days for the tolerance to be reduced to half and 1 - 2 weeks to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). 3-MeO-PCE presents cross-tolerance with all dissociatives, meaning that after the use of 3-MeO-PCE, all dissociatives will have a reduced effect.

Urinary tract effects

Regarding its long-term health effects when used repeatedly and over excessive periods, 3-MeO-PCE seems to exhibit almost identical bladder and urinary tract problems to those found within ketamine, but to a lesser extent. This is because 3-MeO-PCE is far more potent than ketamine, so significantly less of drug needs to be consumed. Symptoms of ketamine-induced cystitis can become severe and can be described as:

Urinary frequency - Urinary frequency is the need to empty the bladder every few minutes.

- Urinary frequency is the need to empty the bladder every few minutes. Urinary urgency - This can be described as a sudden, compelling need to urinate.

- This can be described as a sudden, compelling need to urinate. Urinary pressure - This is experienced as a constant sensation of fullness in the bladder that is unrelieved by urination.

- This is experienced as a constant sensation of fullness in the bladder that is unrelieved by urination. Pelvic and bladder pain - Pain can develop suddenly and severely, especially since the bladder fills with urine.

- Pain can develop suddenly and severely, especially since the bladder fills with urine. Hematuria - Hematuria is visible blood in the urine.

- Hematuria is visible blood in the urine. Incontinence - This is the leakage of urine.

All of these, however, can easily be avoided by simply not using 3-MeO-PCE on a daily or even weekly basis and consciously limiting one's usage of the substance.

Dangerous interactions

Although many psychoactive substances are reasonably safe to use on their own, they can quickly become dangerous or even life-threatening when combined with other substances. The list below includes some known dangerous combinations (although it cannot be guaranteed to include all of them). Independent research (e.g. Google, DuckDuckGo) should always be conducted to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe to consume. Some interactions listed have been sourced from TripSit.

Psychedelics - This combination is not advised because 3-MeO-PCE has been reported to cause extreme psychological disturbances such as psychosis and mania at a significantly higher rate than other dissociatives.

- This combination is not advised because 3-MeO-PCE has been reported to cause extreme psychological disturbances such as psychosis and mania at a significantly higher rate than other dissociatives. Stimulants - Both stimulants and dissociatives carry the risk of adverse psychological reactions like anxiety, mania, delusions and psychosis and these risks are exacerbated when the two substances are combined.

- Both stimulants and dissociatives carry the risk of adverse psychological reactions like anxiety, mania, delusions and psychosis and these risks are exacerbated when the two substances are combined. Depressants - Because both depress the respiratory system, this combination can result in an increased risk of suddenly falling unconscious, vomiting and choking to death from the resulting suffocation. If nausea or vomiting occurs, users should attempt to fall asleep in the recovery position or have a friend move them into it.

Legality

This legality section is a stub. As such, it may contain incomplete or wrong information. You can help by expanding it.

Germany: 3-MeO-PCE is not a controlled substance under the BtMG. [8] It is legal, as long as it is not sold for human consumption, according to §2 AMG. [9]

3-MeO-PCE is not a controlled substance under the BtMG. It is legal, as long as it is not sold for human consumption, according to §2 AMG. Switzerland: 3-MeO-PCE is a controlled substance specifically named under Verzeichnis E. [10]

3-MeO-PCE is a controlled substance specifically named under Verzeichnis E. Turkey: 3-MeO-PCE is a classed as drug and is illegal to possess, produce, supply, or import. [11] [12]

3-MeO-PCE is a classed as drug and is illegal to possess, produce, supply, or import. United Kingdom - 3-MeO-PCE is a class B drug in the UK and is illegal to possess, produce, supply, or import. As an N-alkyl derivative of 1-phenylcyclohexylamine substituted in the phenyl ring with an alkoxy substituent, it is covered by the arylcyclohexylamine generic clause added to the Misuse of Drugs Act by S.I. 2013/239, which came into effect on the 26th February 2013.[13]

See also

Literature

Morris, H., & Wallach, J. (2014). From PCP to MXE: A comprehensive review of the non-medical use of dissociative drugs. Drug Testing and Analysis, 6(7–8), 614–632. https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.1620

References



