Methoxetamine (MXE)

Although there is very little evidence about its short and long-term effects, we do know that it is chemically related to dissociative anaesthetics like ketamine and PCP, and has similar effects.

From anecdotal reports, methoxetamine (MXE) appears to be much stronger than ketamine, so users should take extra care to avoid overdosing by only using small amounts.

Reportedly, because of its strength, only small pinches (or bumps) of methoxetamine are snorted – and not full lines.

Some people prefer to dissolve it in water or place it under their tongue, where it’s dissolved and taken into the bloodstream, but it can also be swallowed (bombed) or injected.

Injecting is a particularly risky route for overdose. And by injecting and sharing injecting equipment, including needles and syringes, users run the risk of catching or spreading a virus, such as HIV or hepatitis C. There is also the risk that veins may be damaged and that something nasty will develop, such as an abscess or a clot.

Users have reported that they had used methoxetamine (MXE) because they couldn’t get ketamine or because they thought it wouldn’t hurt their bladder, which ketamine does.

However, there is no evidence to support this and it is possible that MXE will turn out to be as toxic as ketamine in this regard.

Although there is little known about MXE we do know that it is chemically related to dissociative anaesthetics like ketamine and PCP. So it’s reasonable to assume that it shares some of the same effects and risks. This is backed up by reports from people that have used MXE and doctors who have treated people who have taken MXE.

The effects of MXE tend to be similar to ketamine effects, but are more intense and longer lasting and include:

• MXE can make people feel very chilled out, relaxed and euphoric. Some users have said that they feel ‘enlightened’ when taking MXE. Others have reported being agitated.

• MXE can produce a feeling of ‘floating away’, as if the mind and body are separated (called a ‘dissociative state’). You could feel completely detached from your body and surroundings, putting yourself in danger of accidentally being hurt or being hurt by others.

• MXE can cause hallucinations.

Other dissociative effects can develop, even a severe form of dissociation, catatonia, when someone is awake but doesn’t respond to or interact with anything.

MXE can also cause involuntary eye movement, loss of balance and poor coordination, unsteadiness on your feet and slurred speech. These effects are not seen when people use ketamine.

How long the effects last and the drug stays in your system depends on how much you’ve taken, your size and what other drugs you may have also taken.

To kick in

It normally takes 10 to 15 minutes for the effects of methoxetamine (MXE) to be felt, but sometimes it can take 60 to 90 minutes.

This can lead to some people thinking that they haven’t taken enough, so they take more and end up taking too much and having a bad time.

Mixing drugs is always risky but some mixtures are more dangerous than others.

There’s no direct evidence on whether you can become physically or psychologically dependent on methoxetamine (MXE), but we do know that you can become dependent on ketamine. Because they are chemically related, it’s reasonable to assume that you may be able to become dependent on MXE.

Like drink-driving, driving when high is dangerous and illegal. If you’re caught driving under the influence, you may receive a heavy fine, driving ban, or prison sentence.

If the police catch people supplying illegal drugs in a home, club, bar or hostel, they can potentially prosecute the landlord, club owner or any other person concerned in the management of the premises.