An observational study on the sub-acute effects of mephedrone on mood, cognition, sleep and physical problems in regular mephedrone users
Lina E. Homman, Jessica Seglert, Michael John Morgan
Psychopharmacology June 26, 2018 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-4953-1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Prospective observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 46 |
| Population | Regular recreational mephedrone users (22 males, 24 females) |
| Intervention | Mephedrone |
| Duration | 9 days |
| Citations | 38 |
| Key findings | Among 46 regular recreational mephedrone users followed for nine days, the 21 who used mephedrone reported persistent negative mood, physical problems, and fatigue compared with the 25 who abstained, after controlling for baseline sleep differences and subsequent alcohol and cannabis use. The authors indicate these are sub-acute effects of mephedrone on mood, fatigue, and physical symptoms. |
Abstract
Rationale: Mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone; 4-MMC) is a novel recreational drug similar to methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and amphetamine. Several adverse effects have been reported, but little is known about its sub-acute effects.
Objectives: To study sub-acute effects of mephedrone over a period of 9 days.
Methods: Recreational mephedrone users were recruited and followed over a time period of 9 days. It was recorded whether participants consumed mephedrone or not within the period of testing; those who did were compared to those who did not. Forty-six regular mephedrone users (22 males, 24 females) participated, 21 participants voluntarily opted to consume mephedrone 1-3 days after baseline and 25 opted to abstain. Participants were assessed at baseline on a multitude of measures and provided daily reports on cognition, sleep, mood, physical problems, mephedrone cravings and substance use on each subsequent day of the study. The study controlled for psychopathology, sleep, past and current substance use, impulsivity and demographics.
Results: Those who consumed mephedrone reported persistent negative mood, physical problems and fatigue, compared to those who did not-after controlling for baseline group differences in sleep and subsequent alcohol and cannabis use.
Conclusions: The results provide the first prospective evidence of the duration and extent of specific undesirable sub-acute effects of mephedrone in regular recreational users and indicate sub-acute effects of mephedrone on mood, fatigue and physical symptoms.
Citations in the library
Cited by 5
- New/emerging psychoactive substances and associated psychopathological consequences Psychological Medicine July 22, 2019
- Substance-related exogenous psychosis: a postmodern syndrome CNS Spectrums June 25, 2020
- Acute Pharmacological Effects of Oral and Intranasal Mephedrone: An Observational Study in Humans Pharmaceuticals January 28, 2021
- Mephedrone and Alcohol Interactions in Humans Frontiers in Pharmacology January 28, 2020
- MDPV (3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone) administered to mice during development of the central nervous system produces persistent learning and memory impairments. Pharmacological Reports June 1, 2024
Cites 13
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and 8 more in the library