Monkey dust

Why here and why now
We’re including monkey dust as a precaution. It isn’t currently a major issue on the chemsex scene, but drug trends change quickly, and we’d rather you have the facts before you need them than after. Europe is seeing increasing availability of synthetic cathinones, including MDPHP and related drugs. Substances sold as mephedrone may contain different chemicals, sometimes without users knowing. Emerging evidence suggests some newer cathinones are entering gay men’s chemsex networks, raising concerns about unpredictable effects, dependency, psychosis and inadequate drug surveillance.

What it is and how it comes

• Synthetic cathinones are a family of man-made stimulants chemically related to cathinone, which occurs naturally in the khat plant.
• The group includes mephedrone (4-MMC), 3-MMC and monkey dust. Monkey dust usually contains MDPHP, MDPV or alpha-PVP.
• It comes as a white, yellowish or brown powder, and sometimes as crystals, and in some ways it resembles crystal meth.
• What’s in it and how strong it is vary a lot from batch to batch, so its effects are hard to predict.

Why is it called monkey dust?
It’s uncertain. We believe the name began as street slang in Stoke-on-Trent and first appeared in print in 2013, when the local paper, The Sentinel, reported a murder case linked to the drug. Monkey Dust had earlier been the title of a BBC Three satirical cartoon, but there’s no evidence of a connection. The name is usually linked to how people can behave on it: wild, agitated, sometimes climbing things or hiding outdoors for hours. It’s also known locally as zombie dust. One has to feel for the monkeys. 

Where it came from
Initially supplied largely from China, synthetic cathinones emerged internationally in the 2000s. Today much of Europe’s supply arrives in bulk from India, and production within Europe, particularly Poland, has grown. Monkey dust became associated with Stoke-on-Trent during the 2010s.

What are synthetic cathinones?
Synthetic cathinones are a family of man-made stimulant drugs chemically related to cathinone, a substance found naturally in the khat plant. They include mephedrone (4-MMC), 3-MMC and the chemicals found in monkey dust. They can increase energy, confidence, alertness and sexual desire, but also cause anxiety, paranoia, overheating, heart problems and dependency.

How it’s taken
Monkey dust is commonly smoked in a pipe, snorted, swallowed in capsules, or wrapped in cigarette paper and swallowed (bombing). Some people inject it or put it up the bum (booty bumping). Smoking and injecting produce faster effects, increasing the risk of compulsive redosing, overdose and other harms.

Desired highs
People use monkey dust for intense energy, euphoria, confidence, alertness and increased sex drive. Some experience heightened sexual pleasure, talkativeness and reduced inhibitions. Effects can be powerful and long-lasting, although excitement and confidence can quickly turn into anxiety, agitation and suspicion.

Comedowns
Comedowns can involve exhaustion, low mood, anxiety, irritability, sleeplessness and intense cravings. Confusion or depression can last several days, particularly after prolonged use without sleep. Rest, food, fluids and avoiding further stimulants support recovery. Persistent paranoia or suicidal thoughts require urgent help.

Addiction, dependency and other issues
Monkey dust carries a high risk of psychological dependence, compulsive re-dosing and prolonged binges. Tolerance can develop, encouraging heavier use. Regular use increases risks of psychosis, heart problems, sleep deprivation and deteriorating mental health. Relationships, finances and housing may suffer. Stopping can trigger cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Class
Monkey dust is a Class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, with supply carrying up to 14 years in prison. Synthetic cathinones were brought under the Act in 2010 using a generic definition that covers the whole chemical family, so new variants are caught automatically. After pressure from Stoke-on-Trent MPs, the government asked its drug advisers in 2023 whether monkey dust should be upgraded to Class A. Their 2025 report didn’t recommend the change, partly because it was unclear whether tougher penalties would deter anyone. It remains Class B.

Interactions
Mixing monkey dust with crystal meth, cocaine, mephedrone or MDMA (ecstasy) increases risks of overheating, heart problems, seizures and psychosis. Alcohol and other drugs make effects less predictable. GHB/ GBL, ketamine and benzodiazepines can mask dangerous symptoms. Stimulants also hide how sedated someone is on GHB/ GBL, encouraging re-dosing. When the monkey dust wears off, the G can hit hard. Some antidepressants and other prescribed medicines may also cause harmful interactions.

Safer use
Monkey dust is far stronger than mephedrone: an amount that looks normal for meph or tina can be an overdose. Avoid mixing drugs, start with a very small amount and allow time for effects before taking more. Drug checking is advisable. Avoid using alone, overheating and prolonged sessions. Call 999 for chest pain, seizures, severe overheating or psychosis.

Gay men and chemsex
In Milan and northern Italy, MDPV, a monkey-dust-type drug, has replaced crystal meth as the main chemsex drug since around 2019–20, usually smoked in a pipe. Its stimulant and sexually enhancing effects encourage long sessions and repeated dosing. UK and US evidence remains limited, although synthetic cathinones are already used in chemsex here. How widespread monkey dust itself is remains unclear.

More

Glossary

3-MMC: 3-methylmethcathinone. A synthetic cathinone similar to mephedrone, popular in chemsex in parts of Europe.
4-MMC: 4-methylmethcathinone, better known as mephedrone, meph or M-Cat.
Alpha-PVP: alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone. A powerful synthetic cathinone found in monkey dust, sometimes sold as “flakka”.
MDMA: 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, the main ingredient in ecstasy.
MDPHP: 3′,4′-methylenedioxy-alpha-pyrrolidinohexanophenone. A powerful synthetic cathinone and one of the most common chemicals found in monkey dust.
MDPV: Methylenedioxypyrovalerone. A powerful synthetic cathinone found in monkey dust.

Films

 Drugs Map of Britain: Monkey Dust | BBC Three/ Open University | 25 mins | Feb 2024
 The monkey dust drug ‘epidemic’ that has Stoke-on-Trent in its grip | ITV News | Jul 2023 | 5m (with ads)
 What is monkey dust? The drug that makes people ‘run and hide in trees all night’ | ITV Central | Jul 2023 | 3m (with ads)

News and articles

2026
 New monkey dust task force launched in Stoke-on-Trent | Hits Radio | 17 Apr 2026
 Stoke-on-Trent MP raises monkey dust issue at PMQs | Stoke Nub News (Local Democracy Reporting) | 26 Mar 2026
 ‘Monkey dust turned me into somebody I wasn’t’ | BBC News (via AOL) | early 2026

2025
 Monkey dust valued at £1.5m found in parked van in Staffordshire | Express & Star | 23 Dec 2025
 Man ‘on monkey dust’ had to be restrained by staff in Stoke-on-Trent pharmacy | Stoke Nub News | 2 Oct 2025
Advice on synthetic cathinones | Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs | 3 Feb 2025

2024
 Man jailed after £20k worth of drugs found in Stoke-on-Trent | Stoke Nub News | 19 Nov 2024
 ‘Neglected’ baby from Stoke-on-Trent was exposed to monkey dust before his death | Stoke Nub News | Sep 2024
 BBC Three Drugs Map of Britain: Monkey Dust (man describes addiction) | BBC News | 13 Feb 2024

2023
 ‘Erratic and impulsive behaviour’: What is the drug known in the UK as ‘monkey dust’? | Euronews | 4 Sep 2023
 The monkey dust drug ‘epidemic’ that has Stoke-on-Trent in its grip | ITV News | 12 Jul 2023
 Dangerous street drug monkey dust could be made Class A substance | Police Professional | 11 May 2023
Government seeks advice on ‘monkey dust’ | GOV.UK | 11 May 2023

2022
 Conservative MP Urges British Government To Reassess ‘Monkey Dust’ Classification | Complex UK | Nov 2022
 Manchester Pride ‘monkey dust’ MDMA warning issued | Manchester Evening News (via inkl) | 27 Aug 2022
 Burglar jailed for crime spree fuelled by monkey dust habit | The Sentinel (via PressReader) | 4 May 2022

2020
 ‘Monkey Dust’ and the Anatomy of a Tabloid Drug Scare Story | VICE | c. 2020

2019
 Man jailed for smuggling monkey dust through Coventry Airport | Coventry Telegraph | 2019
 Cannabis crime accounts for more than half of prosecutions (covers monkey dust prosecutions) | Leek Post & Times (via PressReader) | 9 Jan 2019

2018
 ‘Monkey Dust’ mayhem: the English city reportedly at the centre of a drug-fuelled ‘epidemic’ | The Conversation | Aug 2018
Monkey Dust, Krokodil, Nyaope: why new drug concoctions keep appearing | The Conversation | 24 Aug 2018
 Monkey dust use is spreading out of Staffordshire and ‘selling for just £2’ | Staffordshire Live | Aug 2018
 Surge in monkey dust drug use linked to social media, police say | The Guardian | 17 Aug 2018
Monkey Dust in the UK: A drug “epidemic” or an overstatement? | Talking Drugs | 17 Aug 2018