NEP

From PsychonautWiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Summary sheet: NEP
NEP
N-ethyl-nor-pentedrone.svg
Chemical Nomenclature
Common names N-Ethylpentedrone, NEP, Ethyl-Pentedrone
Substitutive name N-Ethyl-(nor)-pentedrone
Systematic name 2-(Ethylamino)-1-phenyl-1-pentanone
Class Membership
Psychoactive class Stimulant
Chemical class Cathinone
Routes of Administration

WARNING: Always start with lower doses due to differences between individual body weight, tolerance, metabolism, and personal sensitivity. See responsible use section.


Smoked
Dosage
Threshold 5 mg
Light 5 - 15 mg
Common 15 - 30 mg
Strong 30 - 50 mg
Heavy 50 mg +
Duration
Total 1.5 - 3 hours
Oral
Dosage
Threshold 10 mg
Light 10 - 25 mg
Common 25 - 40 mg
Strong 40 - 60 mg
Heavy 60 mg +
Duration
Total 4 - 6 hours



Insufflated
Dosage
Threshold 10 mg
Light 10 - 20 mg
Common 20 - 40 mg
Strong 40 - 60 mg
Heavy 60 mg +
Duration
Total 2 - 4 hours






DISCLAIMER: PW's dosage information is gathered from users and resources for educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation and should be verified with other sources for accuracy.

Interactions
Alcohol
MXE
Dissociatives
DXM
MDMA
Stimulants
25x-NBOMe
25x-NBOH
Tramadol
MAOIs
SNRIs
Serotonin releasers
SSRIs
5-HTP


N-Ethyl-nor-pentedrone (also known as N-Ethylpentedrone, Ethyl-pentedrone or more commonly, NEP) is a lesser-known novel stimulant substance of the cathinone class that produces stimulating, euphoric, and mildly entactogenic effects when administered.

The stimulating effects of NEP are believed to mainly be caused by its activity as a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI). The reported entactogenic effects it displays may also be due to its activity as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor or releasing agent in moderate to high doses, although new research has shown very low serotonin reuptake inhibition.[1]NEP probably acts as unselective serotonin-norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (SNDRI).

NEP shares a close structural relationship to its parent compound pentedrone, differing by an addition ethyl group on the terminal nitrogen on the carbon chain. This addition reportedly makes it about three times as potent as pentedrone.[1] NEP is also closely related to N-Ethylhexedrone (commonly known as Hexen), and has been reported as producing largely-similar effects.

NEP first became known in the research chemical market during 2016. It is an example of a contemporary designer drug specifically chosen to mimic/replace the functional and structural features of its popular potent and short-lived-type stimulant predecessors, which are sometimes imprecisely referred to as "bath salts".

As with its parent compound pentedrone, very little data exists about the pharmacological properties, metabolism, and toxicity of NEP in humans. Due to its novelty and extremely short history of human usage, all information related to the use of this compound should be treated with extreme caution. It is highly advised that one use harm reduction practices if choosing to use this substance.

Chemistry

NEP, or N-Ethyl-(nor)-pentedrone, belongs to the cathinone chemical class. It features a phenethylamine core with an alkyl group attached to the alpha carbon and an oxygen group attached to the beta carbon. Cathinones are beta-ketone analogues of amphetamines. Cathinones refer to a class of molecules which are principally constituted of a phenethylamine core with an alkyl group attached to the alpha carbon and an oxygen group attached to the beta carbon. They are also known as the beta-ketone (double-bonded oxygen to the β-carbon) analogs of amphetamines. The cathinone backbone can be modified in three different places to create hundreds of possible compounds, which include substituents on the aromatic ring, the alpha carbon, and the amine group.[2]

Pharmacology

Due to the lack of research regarding the substance, a lot of the discussion regarding the pharmacology of it is purely based upon its structure and subjective effect similarities to other cathinones such as mephedrone and others. However, a recent study has shown that NEP acts as a potent serotonin-norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (SNDRI) with very poor affinity for SERT.[1] This allows dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine to accumulate within the brain, resulting in stimulating and euphoric effects. That being said, an interaction with other receptor sites cannot yet be fully ruled out.

Subjective effects

Disclaimer: The effects listed below cite the Subjective Effect Index (SEI), an open research literature based on anecdotal user reports and the personal analyses of PsychonautWiki contributors. As a result, they should be viewed with a healthy degree of skepticism.

It is also worth noting that these effects will not necessarily occur in a predictable or reliable manner, although higher doses are more liable to induce the full spectrum of effects. Likewise, adverse effects become increasingly likely with higher doses and may include addiction, severe injury, or death ☠.

Physical effects
Child.svg

Cognitive effects
User.svg

After effects
Aftereffects (3).svg

Experience reports

There are currently no anecdotal reports which describe the effects of this compound within our experience index. Additional experience reports can be found here:

Toxicity and harm potential

The toxicity and long-term health effects of recreational NEP use do not seem to have been studied in any scientific context and the exact toxic dosage is unknown. This is because NEP has an extremely brief history of human usage. Early anecdotal evidence from people who have tried NEP within the community suggests that there do not seem to be any negative health effects attributed to simply trying this substance at low to moderate doses by itself and using it in a sparing and controlled fashion (but nothing can be completely guaranteed)

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

Tolerance and addiction potential

As with other stimulants, the chronic use of N-ethyl-(nor)-pentedrone can be considered moderately addictive with a high potential for abuse and is capable of causing psychological dependence among certain users. When addiction has developed, cravings and withdrawal effects may occur if a person suddenly stops their usage.

Tolerance to many of the effects of NEP 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). NEP presents cross-tolerance with all dopaminergic stimulants, meaning that after the consumption of N-ethyl-(nor)-pentedrone all stimulants will have a reduced effect.

Psychosis

Main article: Stimulant psychosis

Abuse of compounds within the stimulant class at high dosages for prolonged periods of time can potentially result in a stimulant psychosis that may present with a variety of symptoms (e.g., paranoia, hallucinations, or delusions).[3] A review on treatment for amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, and methamphetamine abuse-induced psychosis states that about 5–15% of users fail to recover completely.[3][4] The same review asserts that, based upon at least one trial, antipsychotic medications effectively resolve the symptoms of acute amphetamine psychosis.[3]

Dangerous interactions

Warning: Many psychoactive substances that are reasonably safe to use on their own can suddenly become dangerous and even life-threatening when combined with certain other substances. The following list provides some known dangerous interactions (although it is not guaranteed to include all of them).

Always conduct independent research (e.g. Google, DuckDuckGo, PubMed) to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe to consume. Some of the listed interactions have been sourced from TripSit.

  • MAOIs - This combination may increase the amount of neurotransmitters such as dopamine to dangerous or even fatal levels. Examples include syrian rue, banisteriopsis caapi, and some antidepressants.[6]
  • Cocaine - This combination may increase strain on the heart to dangerous, potentially fatal levels.

Serotonin syndrome risk

Combinations with the following substances can cause dangerously high serotonin levels. Serotonin syndrome requires immediate medical attention and can be fatal if left untreated.

Legal status

  • Brazil: On September 7, 2018, all cathinone analogues are controlled substances considered illegal to possess, use and distribute. This was made possible due to a blanket ban law appended to Portaria SVS/MS nº 344.[8]
  • China: NEP is a controlled substance.[citation needed]
  • Germany: NEP is controlled under the NpSG (New Psychoactive Substances Act)[9] as of November 26, 2016.[10] Production and import with the aim to place it on the market, administration to another person and trading is punishable. Possession is illegal but not penalized.[11]
  • Japan: NEP is a controlled substance.[12]
  • Sweden: NEP is a controlled substance as of November 12, 2019.[13]
  • Switzerland: NEP can be considered a controlled substance as a defined derivative of Cathinone under Verzeichnis E point 1. It is legal when used for scientific or industrial use.[14]
  • The Netherlands: NEP is currently legal, but it is part of a substance group that may be banned soon as part of a recently passed law on New Psychoactive Substances (NPS). [15]
  • United Kingdom: NEP is a Class B drug in the United Kingdom as a result of the cathinone catch-all clause.[16]
  • United States: NEP is not a controlled substance in the United States but possession or distribution for human use could potentially be prosecuted under the Federal Analogue Act due to its structural and pharmacological similarities to pentedrone.[17]
  • Italy: NEP is a controlled substance in Italy. It was inserted in "Table 1 of psychotropic substances"[18] in December 29, 2020.

See also

External links

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Duart-Castells, L., Nadal-Gratacós, N., Muralter, M., Puster, B., Berzosa, X., Estrada-Tejedor, R., Niello, M., Bhat, S., Pubill, D., Camarasa, J., Sitte, H. H., Escubedo, E., López-Arnau, R. (March 2021). "Role of amino terminal substitutions in the pharmacological, rewarding and psychostimulant profiles of novel synthetic cathinones". Neuropharmacology. 186: 108475. doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108475. ISSN 0028-3908. 
  2. Liu, C., Jia, W., Li, T., Hua, Z., Qian, Z. (August 2017). "Identification and analytical characterization of nine synthetic cathinone derivatives N -ethylhexedrone, 4-Cl-pentedrone, 4-Cl- α -EAPP, propylone, N -ethylnorpentylone, 6-MeO-bk-MDMA, α -PiHP, 4-Cl- α -PHP, and 4-F- α -PHP: Identification of nine synthetic cathinones". Drug Testing and Analysis. 9 (8): 1162–1171. doi:10.1002/dta.2136. ISSN 1942-7603. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Shoptaw, S. J., Kao, U., Ling, W. (21 January 2009). Cochrane Drugs and Alcohol Group, ed. "Treatment for amphetamine psychosis". Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003026.pub3. ISSN 1465-1858. 
  4. Hofmann, F. G. (1983). A handbook on drug and alcohol abuse: the biomedical aspects (2nd ed ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195030563. 
  5. Talaie, H.; Panahandeh, R.; Fayaznouri, M. R.; Asadi, Z.; Abdollahi, M. (2009). "Dose-independent occurrence of seizure with tramadol". Journal of Medical Toxicology. 5 (2): 63–67. doi:10.1007/BF03161089. eISSN 1937-6995. ISSN 1556-9039. OCLC 163567183. 
  6. Gillman, P. K. (2005). "Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, opioid analgesics and serotonin toxicity". British Journal of Anaesthesia. 95 (4): 434–441. doi:10.1093/bja/aei210Freely accessible. eISSN 1471-6771. ISSN 0007-0912. OCLC 01537271. PMID 16051647. 
  7. Gillman, P. K. (2005). "Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, opioid analgesics and serotonin toxicity". British Journal of Anaesthesia. 95 (4): 434–441. doi:10.1093/bja/aei210Freely accessible. eISSN 1471-6771. ISSN 0007-0912. OCLC 01537271. PMID 16051647. 
  8. New blanket ban on synthetic illegal drugs is approved (Portuguese) | http://portal.anvisa.gov.br/noticias/-/asset_publisher/FXrpx9qY7FbU/content/combate-a-drogas-ilicitas-sinteticas-fica-mais-facil
  9. "Anlage NpSG" (in German). Bundesministerium der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz. Retrieved December 11, 2019. 
  10. "Gesetz zur Bekämpfung der Verbreitung neuer psychoaktiver Stoffe" (PDF) (in German). Bundesanzeiger Verlag. Retrieved December 11, 2019. 
  11. "§ 4 NpSG" (in German). Bundesministerium der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz. Retrieved December 11, 2019. 
  12. "指定薬物一覧" (PDF) (in Japanese). Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Retrieved December 27, 2019. 
  13. "Svensk författningssamling: Förordningom ändring i förordningen (1999:58) om förbud mot vissa hälsofarliga varor" (PDF) (in Swedish). Thomson Förlag. Retrieved December 27, 2019. 
  14. "Verordnung des EDI über die Verzeichnisse der Betäubungsmittel, psychotropen Stoffe, Vorläuferstoffe und Hilfschemikalien" (in German). Bundeskanzlei [Federal Chancellery of Switzerland]. Retrieved January 1, 2020. 
  15. Wijziging van de Opiumwet in verband met het toevoegen van een derde lijst met als doel het tegengaan van de productie van en de handel in nieuwe psychoactieve stoffen en enkele andere wijzigingen (Dutch), 2024 
  16. The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2010 
  17. 21 U.S. Code § 813 - Treatment of controlled substance analogues 
  18. [1]