Methoxetamine, a novel psychoactive substance with serious adverse pharmacological effects: a review of case reports and preclinical findings

摘要: An increasing number of novel psychoactive substances are currently available and sold as 'legal highs' or 'research chemicals' accompanied by the indication that they 'not for human consumption'. Among those have emerged in last few years, methoxetamine (MXE) owes its wide popularity to easy access on Internet reputation being a 'safe' drug. MXE is an arylcyclohexylamine with chemical structure analogous ketamine phencyclidine, similar noncompetitive glutamate N-methyl D-aspartate receptor antagonist properties. Yet, very recent preclinical data highlighted stimulatory effect dopamine neurotransmission within mesolimbic pathway. The aim this review provide updated behavioral toxicological effects well latest findings pharmacology might explain sought frequent occurrence adverse effects. In light growing intoxications induced MXE, knowledge short-term long-term urgently needed. However, hypothetical rapid antidepressant activity suggested analogy supported deserves further investigation.