^ though it has 1/3 the release of serotonin, it has similar levels of dopamine release and I believe even higher levels of norepinephrine release. This means it's stimulant effects and peripheral side effects would be more prominent than with MDMA.
Also, the majority of MDMA's "magic" is attributed to release of oxytocin (the "love hormone") and prolactin (the hormone responsible for sexual pleasure). I don't think there's been any study of methylone's effects on those neurochemicals, but just based on the effects I would guess that it is no where near the level of MDMA
I think everyone forgets about the release of oxytocin and prolactin, those have to be responsible for the ridiculously amazing orgasmic body high I get from mdma. I've seen a study that shows Methylone is about 1/3 of mdma at releasing serotonin but is higher in both norepinephrine and dopamine. Methylone was fairly higher at releasing dopamine and norepinephrine, which isn't surprising regarding the effects.
The thing I like about methylone is no comedown at all, I mean not one sign of a comedown. I'd do it more if I could get it. It's like mdma, but the things people LOVE about mdma methylone lacks. The body high is alright, not a ton of empathy, touch is alright too. Compared to mdma those parts are alright but to other drugs they're damn amazing. Nothing compares to mdma euphoria IMO and it's not close, but methylone has a nice calm euphoria that isn't too good like mdma's. It's very similar just many parts are not as good as mdma, I do notice more energy on it, less of a comedown, and I find stuff hilarious on it.
I've had some weird things happen on methylone though. My piss was green once, my face went extremely red once (like a rash), me and my buddies eyes were so black around that we looked like vampires (looking in the mirror was frightening), and a crazy fast heartbeat about 5 or 6 hours after dropping. Also smoking weed is ten times more harsh, me and my buddies would pack a bowl then tapout after a small hoot (which would go on for hours). Methylone is good stuff for people who like to drop often, not that I'm advising it but there is no comedown and you can do it multiple days and get hit just as hard on day 2.
I've also got some insane eye wiggles on the stuff.