Meow Meow is a very powerful stimulant drug. More commonly known as Mephedrone, this drug is closely related in its effects to drugs such as ecstasy and speed (amphetamines). As well as being known as Meow Meow, Mephedrone is also called by street names such as MCat, Mieow, Meph, MCAT and 4MMC. Another popular name for Mephedrone is Bath Salts).
The Rise of Synthetic Cathinones
Mephedrone belongs to a class of drugs called synthetic cathinones. These lab-created substances mimic the effects of natural cathinone, found in the khat plant. Since 2009, over 130 synthetic cathinones have hit the market. They’re often sold as “plant food” or “bath salts” to skirt regulations.
Unlike traditional stimulants, synthetic cathinones can cause intense hallucinations and paranoia. Users report a strong urge to redose, leading to binges lasting days. This makes them particularly risky compared to other party drugs.
Law enforcement struggles to keep up with new formulations, which pop up faster than they can be banned.
Meow Meow is probably the best known of the many ‘legal highs‘ that have risen to prominence in the media in recent years. It is a drug that can be found in the form of pills, powder, or liquid. First seen in the UK in 2004, the drug is now illegal to use in this and many other countries. In the UK, it is a class B drug.
Is There a Drug Test for Meow Meow?
As far as we are aware, there is no current drug testing kit for Meow Meow on the market. We are often asked if we can supply a drug testing kit for Mephedrone, but at present it is not possible to detect the drug itself, or its metabolites, in either urine, saliva or blood.
Some websites selling drug testing kits claim that a methamphetamine drug test will also detect mephedrone. This is simply not the case. The two drugs are not similar in their chemical structure, so if you test for mephedrone using a methamphetamine drug test, the result will be negative.
There are also claims that methamphetamine is often mixed with mephedrone to create the product we see in the UK as Meow Meow, validating the use of a meth test as a drug test for Meow Meow. However, these claims are just theory and not fact.
Since Meow Meow was made illegal in many countries, new formulations have appeared in an attempt to circumvent the law. Once again, there is no proof that these chemicals contain methamphetamine, so anybody using a meth test for Meow Meow drug testing will not get a reliable result.
Although Mephedrone cannot be detected by a drug test, it can be detected by a presumptive drug test kit. This is the type of drug test kit that is used by police to identify suspect powders and substances. Zoom Testing can supply a meow meow drug testing kit that will identify mephedrone residue.
Our laboratory drug swab kits will also work as a drug test for mephedrone. As well as Meow Meow, any other drugs identified by the swab will also appear in the laboratory results.
Photo: DEA
This post was originally published in June 2015. It was last updated in August 2024.
Zoom Testing is a leading UK drug testing company and a supplier of Drug Test Kits.
