EEEA Psychoactiverowidrowidrowid Plants andEEE Chemicalsxtractsxtractsxtracts Newsletter Volume 1 December 2001 Number 2

he last six months have been busy at Over the past five years, we have focused Erowid. In May , we spoke at the primarily on developing and editing content, Mind States II conference in with a single major overhaul of the site design Erowid.org is a member T Berkeley, California. It was our first public and structure in the summer of 1999. It has supported organization working to speaking engagement and we’re glad to have finally come time for another complete provide free, reliable and accurate it behind us. :) W e were pleased to gain overhaul in both back-end software and front information about psychoactive more than 120 new members in May, by far end interface design. In the coming months, plants and chemicals. our best month ever. we will be focusing heavily on implementing some of the designs and software we’ve The information on the site is a Though the added income wasn’t enough worked out over the last year . It is a hard compilation of the experiences, to cover a salary, we used the opportunity to choice for us to make each day as we stand words, and efforts of hundreds of try to meet our 2001 goal of hiring a third and watch the almost limitless river of data individuals including users, parents, person part-time. A friend with experience flow by, but it has become painfully clear health professionals, doctors, working for psychoactive information that in order to better keep up with the data therapists, chemists, researchers, organizations happened to be available and in the future, the site structure needs to be teachers, and lawyers. Erowid acts Sophie started work in July. as a publisher of new information revised now. as well as a library for the collection Sophie is directing the development of several new site areas including a Guiding of documents published elsewhere, The first casualty of war is truth.. spanning the spectrum from solid and Sitting Vault (with information about the — Rudyard Kipling peer reviewed research to creative use of skilled guides/sitters during intense writing and fiction. psychospiritual experiences) and the upcoming Families and Psychoactives Vault Some of the most important changes (where we’ll collect descriptions of modern we’re working on implementing are a new and traditional parent/child interactions and more robust navigation interface; around psychoactives). We’re still learning improved search ability; better integration, how to best integrate another person into the connection, and linking between various growing entity known as Erowid. IN THIS ISSUE . . . areas of the site; a new process for managing We continue to struggle with deciding external links; and a completely new where our energies should be focused. With document integrity and review system. Reflections on the Passing...... 2 enough work for a full-time crew of 10 We’re excited by the coming upgrades and Etymology of Erowid ...... 3 (divided between three and a handful of hope to implement many of these new volunteers), there’s never enough time to do features before the next newsletter . The Psychosis (Experience) ...... 4 everything that needs doing. We try to split future of robust, reliable, and freely available Antioxidants and MDMA ...... 6 our time between adding new content every information on psychoactive plants and day; supporting volunteers as they work on chemicals looks bright. NEJM Response ...... 12 their various projects; keeping up with the Although this issue of the newsletter Re-examining MDA Duration... 13 most important of the flood of emails ended up longer than expected, it allowed us requesting information, help, or providing I, Lab Rat (Experience) ...... 16 to finally put in writing some ideas which valuable feedback; continuing to revise, have been sitting on the shelf for too long. Andrew Weil Interview ...... 19 correct, and perfect existing documents; We hope you enjoy Erowid Extracts and find making progress on lar ge collabrative Myth Debunking ...... 20 it useful. Please send comments, criticisms, information projects (see pg. 23); and a long and suggestions for future issues to Mouth -Smoking Cannabis ...... 22 list of necessary tasks such as systems [email protected]. The Distillation...... 23 administration, site security, membership processing, and random office crap. Earth & Fire OBITUARY Reflections on the Passing of by David Jay Brown Three Great Psychedelic Pioneers Elizabeth Gips, John Lilly, and Oscar Janigar

These past few months have been a time hosting a radio show at her son’ s station, talking, and she laughed a lot. of grieving for many. In addition to the tragic KDNA in St. Louis. She began her Northern Elizabeth died at the age of 79. Three global conflicts, three great psychedelic California radio show Changes in 1975, and weeks after her death, her partner of 17 years, pioneers have left us for the Great Beyond: soon started writing for alternative culture Paddy Long, died in his sleep at the age of Elizabeth Gips, John C. Lilly , and Oscar magazines. Her book Scrapbook of a Haight- 74. They were deeply in love, and one has Janiger. These remarkable individuals Ashbury Pilgrim is a valuable historical to wonder if, perhaps, their synchronized devoted their lives to the study and document—prose, poetry, wisdom and departure from this world of smiles and tears transformation of human consciousness, and drawings inspired in San Francisco during wasn’t a well-timed romantic gesture. they believed strongly in the beneficial power the late sixties. of LSD and other psychedelics. Their Elizabeth’s home was decorated with passing marks the end of an era. Although psychedelic art and exotic religious artifacts John C. Lilly, M.D. they will be deeply missed, their spirits live from around the world, reflecting her January 6, 1915—September 30, 2001 on, continuing to inspire our minds and warm philosophy, which incorporated many our hearts. religions. Until the day she died, Elizabeth John Lilly is perhaps best known as the [This article was completed before the death was very much at the forefront of cultural man whose work inspired the films Altered of Ken Kesey, whose remembrance appears evolution. Even as she was dying from States and The Day of the Dolphin. Educated on page 18 of this issue. — Editor] at CalTech, Dartmouth Medical School, and the University of Pennsylvania, Neither water nor fire will embrace me in the end John went on to do much of his early Elizabeth Gips Neither water nor fire will embrace me in the end but I will sail softly down neuroscience research at the National May 5,1922—May 27, 2001 Institute of Mental Health. At NIMH like the golden leaf of the apple tree he pioneered many of the original that ffthat eels, at last, the warm caress of earth Born half-paralyzed and dictating studies into electrical brain stimulation, poetry four years later, Elizabeth Gips and began mapping the pleasure and I will turn slowly sere and brown and blend is well-known for her lively interviews pain pathways in the brain. In 1954, with the elements with virtually every major personality with the elements John invented the isolation tank and in the alternative culture. Her radio researched the psychological effects of show Changes, which aired in My small and errant love will be sensory deprivation. He also learned northern California for over twenty- released into the Love that touches its worth about the powerful ef fects of LSD at five years, inspired countless so rarely in our consciousness NIMH, and began to experiment on individuals to explore new realms of himself with the substance. heightened awareness. She All inhumanity John left NIMH in 1958, and built interviewed hundreds of will change and sweeten a research lab in the V irgin Islands, unconventional scientists, explorers, where he established the first artists, philosophers, political This death is birth interspecies communication research activists, and spiritual teachers. She as every dying cell surrenders in delight with dolphins and whales. Unlike his also spoke often about psychedelics to that Illumination existing beyond light colleagues, John was convinced that and their relationship to spirituality , —— Elizabeth Gips (1966) ——— Elizabeth Gips (1966) these marine mammals possessed politics, and science on her shows. unusually high levels of intelligence. Elizabeth attended Mills College He left the conventional academic in 1939-40, where she studied English and emphysema, Elizabeth continued to carry on world partially because of his interest in “discovered beat poetry and marijuana”. In with her radio show and develop her web site dolphins, and partially because of his desire 1964 her son turned her on to peyote, and (www.changes.org). It was simply to pursue higher states of consciousness. she metamorphosed into an “errant hippie”. impossible to keep Elizabeth quiet. W ith When John was introduced to the She then traveled around America with barely enough strength to breathe at times, psychedelic anesthetic ketamine, he fell in Stephen Gaskin, and spent time with him on she managed to devote an enormous amount love. Initially, he adhered to the scientific the Farm, the successful commune in of energy towards helping others. Youthful tradition as he systematically explored the Tennessee that Gaskin founded. optimism and vibrant enthusiasm streamed from Elizabeth’s spirit. She was filled with states of consciousness produced by LSD In 1971 Elizabeth left the Farm and began curiosity, got very excited when she was and ketamine while in the isolation tank. His

2 Erowid Extracts Vol. 1, No. 2 / December 2001 records, maps and theories about these Oz also maintained a long-standing Etymology of experiences are extremely valuable private psychiatric practice, which he contributions to our understanding of established in 1950, and continued until three psychedelic mind states. However , John weeks before his death. In the late fifties and Erowid later fell into what he called “the repeated early sixties, when LSD was still legal, Oz use trap”, and began a dangerous addictive incorporated the psychedelic agent into some e are frequently asked where the relationship with ketamine that almost cost of his therapy . He gave LSD in name ‘Erowid’ comes from. In 1995, him his life several times. Miraculously, he psychotherapeutic settings to many well- W as we were laying the foundation for survived numerous close calls, lar gely known literary figures and Hollywood the Erowid website, we needed a name that because he had so many friends who celebrities, including Anaïs Nin, Aldous would encompass the work we wanted to do watched over him. Huxley, Jack Nicholson, and Cary Grant. and be unique and recognizable. Between 1954 and 1962, Oz administered John had an extremely unusual We wanted a name that was positive, and 3,000 doses of LSD to 1,000 volunteers. perspective on the world, and with it, a very hopeful, while also invoking the grounding keen sense of humor. He had unshakable Oz’s life-long interest in psychedelics led forces of human knowledge. It took us confidence, and really didn’ t seem to care him to co-found the Albert Hofmann months of active work to come up with a name which seemed to fit the bill. Erowid is a linguistic construction of roots taken from Proto-Indo-European. Indo- “The explanatory principle will save you from the fear of the European is a grouping of languages which unknown. I prefer the unknown...” share a large number of common words and — John Lilly features and are thought to share a single parent. This grouping includes most European languages, Sanskrit, Persian, and others. ‘Proto’ Indo-European is a theoretical what other people thought about him. Even Foundation, which was established to archive language made up of a collection of the roots though he appeared grumpy and cranky a lot medical and cultural information on and words which are shared between many of the time, everyone agreed how totally psychedelics and consciousness. Oz studied of the real languages. lovable he was. John just couldn’ t take dolphins in their natural environment later himself seriously, and he always made people in his life with a group of Olympic Er (ert, erd) comes from the root for laugh. It was simply impossible to predict swimmers. He was always an avid swimmer Earth, with the alternate meanings of ground/ what he would do next, and he was fond of himself; he won a race from Santa Monica dirt and the world. Er is also the root of Old telling others to “expect the unexpected”. to Venice pier when he was in his 60s. He English ‘to be’ or ‘exist’ still evident in the was also the author of A Different Kind of word ‘are’. Less obviously, Er is an ancient John died at the age of 86. His ten books Healing, which is about how Western doctors precursor for ‘arise’ / ‘be born’ in such words include Man and Dolphin, The Scientist, The view alternative medicine—a long-standing as origin and arise. Center of the Cyclone, Programming and interest of Oz’s. In the 1970s he was research Metaprogramming the Human Biocomputer, Wid (wit, weid, wis, vis) comes from the director for the Homes Center , an The Deep Self, and Simulations of God. root for Knowledge / Wisdom and ‘to see’. organization that granted money to This root can be seen in words like wisdom, alternative medical research. wit, and the Sanskrit vedah. Wid is also the Oscar Janiger, M.D. Oz loved to tell stories, and he had some root for words like review, vision, idea, and February 8, 1918—August 14, 2001 great ones. He had an extraordinary memory druid (‘tree-knower’). for details, and could recite poems that he The ‘O’ holds the two roots together , Oscar (Oz) Janiger was educated at had learned fifty years earlier . He was an making the word more melifluous, while also Columbia University, and the UC Irvine extremely warm, highly energetic man. As suggesting the Greek spirit Eros, who was School of Medicine, where he served on the a physician, Oz was unusually devoted to his associated with love, desire, and life. faculty in their Psychiatry Department for patients. There was a heartfelt sincerity to over twenty years. As a researcher , Oz his manner. He closed his eyes when he was The simplest ‘translation’ of Erowid is established the relationship between thinking deeply about something, and he ‘Earth Wisdom’ or ‘Knowledge of hormonal cycling and pre-menstrual chuckled a lot. When he put his arm around Existence’, but the word is intended to evoke depression in women, and he discovered your shoulder you felt instantly comfortable a number of related ideas and connotations. blood proteins which appeared to be specific around him. Oz died at the age of 83. Erowid alludes to a sense of living knowledge to male homosexuality. His studies of the • which is inherent to the world: a sort of In-depth interviews with these three Huichol Indians in Mexico revealed that universal birthright. It suggests wisdom extraordinary individuals, as well as many centuries of peyote use do not cause any type which arises out of the fabric of existence others, can be found on David Jay Brown’s of chromosomal damage. But Oz is perhaps and love of knowledge and learning. web site: http://www.levity.com/mavericks best known for establishing the relationship Know Your Source. between LSD and creativity in a study of Additional information can be found at: • hundreds of artists. http://erowid.org/extracts/v1/2-pioneers.shtml

Erowid Extracts Vol. 1, No. 2 / December 2001 3 PSYCHOSIS

AN EXPERIENCE WITH CANNABIS by luna

he first time I got high I was 14. I’m not comforting to know. I was trapped in a They were whispering to each other , 26 now. It started out really cool. I hellish existence and didn’t know how to get exchanging knowing glances, all the while T was with some veteran smokers, but out. I couldn’t trust anyone. The more they telling me to calm down. It hit me that I had they did not foresee what was going to tried to calm me down the more I knew they to convince them I was okay. It was my only happen. At first it was an elating experience. were trying to hypnotize me. I watched their hope for escape. I remember sitting on the I was having laughing fits. EVERYTHING every movement. I saw them exchange couch and them handing me pieces of bread was hysterical. I finally understood what the glances at each other that conveyed ‘She and a glass of water. They told me I needed appeal of weed was all about. I remember knows.’ to eat so that the food would absorb the one of the guys talking about hypnosis. He chemicals. I accepted the bread and And how were they going to contain me? was telling me a funny story about how he pretended to eat it and when they weren’t How were they going to put me back into had hypnotized his sister. He demonstrated looking I stuffed it under the couch cushion. my calm sleep of unawareness and by waving his finger back and forth. Then ignorance? This thought frightened me even I told them I was feeling better and he showed me how her eyes had followed more and I fought with all my strength to needed to go to the bathroom. My plan was his finger, by moving his own eyes back and study their every move. One would wring to lock the bathroom door, find a razor blade, forth, back and forth. Then, laughing, he said his hands—that meant something, but what? and slash my wrists. It was the only way to she was so fucked up she actually started I told him, “I know what you’re doing!” One escape from this life of horror . I found swaying her body back and forth. He would tap his feet—somehow this what I was looking for and it suddenly demonstrated it. movement was yet another method to occurred to me that perhaps even in I was watching him numbly as he swayed hypnotize me. death I would not be free. What if back and forth, back and forth. And very this evil followed me after I was I guess they suddenly, everything changed. I jumped up dead? Well, obviously I didn’t kill must have gotten in panic and told him I knew what he was myself or I wouldn’ t be sitting scared that I had doing. He was trying to hypnotize ME by here typing this story. pretty much lost tricking me into thinking he was just telling my mind, and As time a story. His body’ s back-and-forth decided to call passed I did movements were how he was hypnotizing my brother. eventually calm me! I was in sheer terror. An emergency down. But I It was like uncovering the secret of the room is what I never felt quite universe. All the knowledge of the world really needed— normal again. It was revealed in that instant. The panic was but hey, pot is seemed like I had overwhelming. The world was not what I illegal, right? My unlocked a secret, and had thought it was for my entire life. It was brother arrived and saw having found the truth I brutally clear to me that I was not just another me act in a way that he could never forget about person in the web of a biological universe. had never seen. I was whispering to it. Doubt followed me This “universe” was mine. Not that I owned him in desperation, telling him what was for years. What if it it. I was caught in a personal hell. Every going on. He was pretty tense, to put it wasn’t just a drug-induced psychosis? character in my supposed existence was lightly. Then it occurred to me that he was What if that drug had simply enabled me to merely an actor with a well-written script. I probably one of them. I could not handle see the world as it really was? I went to wasn’t sure why “they” wanted to control me this idea. I begged him to not move a muscle. doctors and counselors and nobody ever and torment me, but I was sure that it was He obeyed, half-heartedly. But his eyes were really explained what had happened to me. happening. I was onto them. I realized that still moving. “Don’t move your eyes either!” Nobody understood the gravity of that this drug, this marijuana, opened a part of I was scared shitless. There was no escape. experience. As years passed, I got over it for my brain that allowed me to see through their the most part. And yet I had to keep moving. I had deceit. noticed that when any part of my body was And then when I was 21 I did a very stupid In the midst of my panic, they were too still, an invisible plaster cast would form thing. I got high again. I figured that the telling me to calm down—that it was just around me and harden. A sudden movement incident when I was 14 was just a fluke. Why the effects of the drug, that I was experiencing would shatter it, only for another one to couldn’t I get high and just mellow out and paranoia. But I knew the truth. I wasn’ t begin forming right after . So I paced, have a good time like everyone else? Well, paranoid. I was finally aware. Y et it was wiggling my fingers in constant desperation. this time it started out pretty normal too. Then

4 Erowid Extracts Vol. 1, No. 2 / December 2001 I felt myself starting to get nervous and was huge, the other was a pinpoint. I was Erowid Extracts decided to go into another room to be alone slipping in and out of consciousness. I and try to calm down. I was sitting on the remember sitting in one room but seeing Vol 1, No 2, December 2001 floor, telling myself that I was just high and myself in another room, etc., etc. that the feeling would pass. I could hear the As time passed I got better. But again, whir of the air conditioner in the upper corner Head Archivist Fire Erowid I could not achieve a totally normal feeling. of the room. Suddenly , the sound became As weeks went by I became obsessed with Technical Director Earth Erowid overwhelming. It was as if there was a schizophrenia. I knew something was Crew Sophie volume control on it and that someone was wrong with me. At any moment I expected Murple manually turning it up. One, two, three, it to start hearing voices. I had panic attacks. Psilo got louder and louder. I flew into a panic. I Desox I thought I was going crazy . I thought I thought it would never end. That it would had some sort of neurological disorder . Art Curator Christopher Barnaby keep getting louder and louder until I couldn’t Panic attacks drove me to the hospital on take it anymore. Reviewers Scruff occasion. I thought I had something Shell Well, this was just the beginning of severely physically wrong with me, but Honey another psychotic episode. I pled with God doctors found nothing. Catfish Rivers to please end this unbearable feeling. I swore Copy Edits Scotto A few years went by of struggling I would never touch pot again. I won’ t go with panic attacks, obsessing about into all the details of this particular instance, schizophrenia, and having strange attacks Erowid Extracts is the members newsletter but let me just say I went through an internal of derealization in which I was of Erowid.org. It is published occasionally battle of religious fears of heaven and hell. (about twice a year), as we have time. If overwhelmed with fear of being At one point I thought I had died and that you are interested in receiving this “conscious”. Let’s just say I was a total someone had pulled a sheet over my head. newsletter, visit our membership page at: mess. Finally, after a doozie of a panic Everything that everyone said to me had an attack that lasted for hours, I checked http://www.erowid.org/donations/ alternate meaning which I had to search for. myself into the looney bin. I told them I switched back and forth between God If you would like to cancel your that I was certain I was in the early stages testing me and Satan trying to trick me. subscription to Erowid Extracts, please let of schizophrenia and I was terrified. I spent Physically, I was having some sort of seizure. us know. Past issues can be read online three weeks in that hospital, having The left side of my body was convulsing at: numerous panic attacks every day. It had while the right side was numb. One pupil been years since I smoked pot, but I was http://www.erowid.org/extracts/. just as terrified as before. Guess what? I Erowid was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive P.O. Box 620939 Benzos & Panic Attacks Disorder and Panic Disorder. I was put on Woodside, CA 94062 the appropriate medications and slowly got http://www.erowid.org/ A standard treatment in emer gency better. It’s been well over a year since I’ve [email protected] rooms for individuals under going been in the hospital and I’m proud to say I © 2001 Erowid.org acute panic attacks, bad trips, and am truly well. I feel great. No more panic other severe emotional crises is the attacks. I’m calm, cool, and collected, and All rights reserved administration of benzodiazepines I’m not crazy. such as Xanax (alprazolam), Valium Reprints: Those interested in reprinting I don’t know why I had such terrible articles from this newsletter should contact (diazepam), or Ativan (lorazepam). reactions to marijuana, but if anyone has Erowid by email. These medications are not only any answers I’d love to hear them. I know Advertising: Erowid Extracts does not extremely effective at offering relief this has been a long story but I wanted to accept advertisements, but if you would be able to share it with people who have to the person experiencing the crisis like to include a flier about a related and reducing stress for caregivers, gone through similar experiences. You are organization or event in our mailings, but the acute administration of not alone. This has happened to others. contact [email protected]. benzodiazepines (single dose during And you really can get better. I know what the crisis, not as a recurring daily hell is, I’ve been there. But I’m fine now treatment) may actually ease post- and I’m stronger for it. Listen, if you’re crisis side effects in the following one of the tiny percentage of people who Know Your Body days and weeks. doesn’t react well to pot, don’ t smoke it. And if you feel like you can’t get over the Know Your Mind While they can be dangerous if trauma, go to a good psychiatrist. I promise combined with other depressants, the there is help. I welcome any comments, Know Your Substance short-acting benzodiazepines are very questions, or stories. Please email me at Know Your Source well tolerated and most report that [email protected]. they can dampen anxiety and fear in a pleasant and gentle way. Erowid.org/experiences/exp.php?ID=6577 •

Erowid Extracts Vol. 1, No. 2 / December 2001 5 DoDoDo ome very interesting research has reduced this dopamine neuron damage in the been published in the last few years brains of rats. 2 In the late 1980s, MDMA showing that common, over-the- was found to be neurotoxic, although it Antioxidants counter antioxidants such as vitamin causes reductions in serotonin (5-HT) rather C, vitamin E, beta carotene, and than dopamine (DA). Over the next ten selenium, can not only substantially years, a great deal was learned about the S reduce or entirely block MDMA mechanism by which MDMA damages ProtectProtectProtect neurotoxicity in rats, but can actually reduce serotonin cells. It was discovered that tolerance between doses.1 serotonin reuptake transporters are key to the long-term damage3 and that dopamine may While the controversy around MDMA also be involved in the process.4 But the most neurotoxicity is too complex to be covered important discovery has been that high levels AgainstAgainstAgainst here, it is well established that MDMA of oxidative radicals are formed in the hours causes long lasting changes in the serotonin after administration of MDMA to rats 5 and system of rats at dosages and frequencies that antioxidants given to rats before or with similar to those used recreationally by some MDMA administration reduce or eliminate people. Furthermore, there is strong evidence MDMAMDMAMDMA the long term damage. 6,7 While there are that some high-dose and/or frequent users of competing theories for the exact metabolic MDMA also show signs of these reductions. process which creates these oxidative There is also concerning, but still radicals, it is now widely accepted that controversial, data showing subtle memory Hangover,Hangover,Hangover, oxidative stress is a primary component of disruptions in heavy users as well as some MDMA's neurotoxicity. indications of long term pharmacological blunting of physiological response to What is Oxidative Stress? MDMA (loss of magic). Tolerance,Tolerance,Tolerance, Oxidation is a normal metabolic chemical For more detailed information process in the body . As cells transfer and about MDMA neurotoxicity, please see use energy, metabolize proteins and nutritive http://erowid.org/extracts/v1/2-antiox_1.shtml chemicals, break up lar ger molecules into andandand smaller molecules with enzymes, and go Although many people are jaded to the about their general functioning, by-products continual barrage of cautionary and negative called “oxidative radicals” (also called “free information about ecstasy's future impact on radicals” or “reactive oxygen species”) are their lives, there have been some significant Neurotoxicity? created. Oxidative radicals are highly advances in research into methods of reducing the risk of long term serotoner gic damage, reducing hangover ef fects, and decreasing tolerance. Over the last 15 years, "The MDMA-induced depletion of by Earth Erowid research has explored several dif ferent brain 5-HT and the functional methods for reducing the neurotoxic effects consequences thereof appear to of MDMA, but some of them (like the use involve the induction of oxidative of fluoxetine / Prozac) can also reduce the stress resulting from an increased therapeutic effects and are difficult to come generation of free radicals and by. More recent research has shown that diminished antioxidant capacity of common antioxidants may prevent the brain." — Shankaran et al. 2001 neurotoxicity without blocking the primary Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, therapeutic effects of MDMA. This article Beta Carotene (Vitamin A), Lutein, is an introduction to the possibility of reactive molecules which have unpaired antioxidants being used to prevent MDMA Lycopene, Melatonin, Coenzyme electrons. They pull strongly on the electrons related neurotoxicity and side effects. Q10, Green Tea Flavinoids, of other molecules, causing damage by Alpha Lipoic Acid, 5-HTP. The Mechanisms of Neurotoxicity destabilizing the molecule's electrical balance. This destabilization can cause In the mid-1980s, it was discovered that molecules to break apart, sometimes some amphetamines damage dopamine initiating chain-reactions of oxidative radical neurons through a process called “oxidative formation, thus a single hydroxyl radical can stress”. The research also showed that damage several other molecules.8 administering antioxidants blocked or

6 Erowid Extracts Vol. 1, No. 2 / December 2001 Under normal conditions, cells balance MDMA administration and it i s speculated Antioxidants could be more promising the ongoing creation of oxidative radicals that some of the day-after effects of MDMA than SSRIs for widespready use in reducing with reserves of “antioxidant” molecules are the result of these lower levels of MDMA neurotoxicity. Since the damage present in cell fluids and walls. Antioxidants, serotonin. appears to be caused by oxidative stress, one sometimes called “free radical scavengers”, way to reduce might be to simply increase TPH is the rate-limiting step in the are chemicals having “extra”, weakly- the amount of antioxidants available to the production of serotonin, meaning that even attached electrons which they can donate to cells. Some very compelling papers have when there are enough building blocks a free radical without themselves becoming been published showing that antioxidants (tryptophan) for more serotonin, it is the unstable. Oxidative stress begins to cause alone can prevent neurotoxicity caused by amount of TPH which determines how problems when free radicals become too quickly serotonin can be restored. plentiful, overwhelming the ability of the Researchers have shown that TPH is system to keep up with them and the cell runs "Damage occurs when endogenous inactivated by oxidative radicals and it is out of antioxidant reserves. As oxidative free radical scavenging mechanisms possible that protecting this enzyme from stress increases, it can damage cell walls, become overwhelmed or exhausted." oxidation may increase the speed with which reduce the flexibility of blood vessels, — O'Shea et al. 1998 the brain is able to recover normal levels of destroy necessary enzymes, and damage serotonin. Even if MDMA never reaches many other proteins and molecules. neurotoxic levels, antioxidants may help the enormous doses of MDMA. In a paper brain and body recover more quickly after published by Aguierre et al. in 1999, the effects subside. “The role of the hydroxyl radical is researchers administered 4 high doses of analogous to a ‘spark’ that starts a Blocking Neurotoxicity alpha lipoic acid by injection to rats during fire.” — McKersie 1996 the 2 days preceding a single neurotoxic dose One of the most important recent findings of MDMA (20 mg / kg, also injected) and about MDMA neurotoxicity is the fact that found that alpha lipoic acid “completely damage to the serotonin system appears to MDMA and Oxidative Stress prevents the loss of 5-HT [serotonin] content be entirely separable from the primary and the decrease of ... 5-HT transporters in In the case of MDMA, reseach has shown experiential effects. More than a decade ago, the frontal cortex, hippocampus and in the that MDMA causes oxidation of certain several papers enzymes and increases levels of certain documented that SSRIs oxidative radicals.26,5,1,6,9 Researchers 1 6,9 such as fluoxetine block Shankaran and Colado have directly MDMA neurotoxicity, but TERMINOLOGY measured a steep increase in oxidative some users have 5-HT – Serotonin, 5-hydroxy-tryptamine. radicals in the first few hours after MDMA understandable is given which slowly returns to normal as Axon – The extension of a neuron’s cell body discomfort about mixing along which signals are transmitted. MDMA is cleared from the body (taking two strong psychoactives, DA – Dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxy-phenethylamine. about 24-36 hours). Initially , the body's not to mention that SSRIs resources are able to handle the increased are expensive, can be Half-life – The time required to reduce blood levels oxidative load, but the data suggest that difficult to get, and reduce of a chemical to half their peak level. within a few hours, antioxidant reserves desirable effects if taken Neurotoxicity – A broad definition of long lasting become depleted and damage to the serotonin before MDMA. There are damage to brain cells which impairs their axons begins. With a metabolic half-life of also some theoretical function or kills them. around 9 hours in human, MDMA can concerns about possible SSRI – Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, a continue causing oxidative stress for more dangerous interactions chemical which blocks the serotonin reuptake than 24 hours after a single dose. between MDMA and transporter. The oxidative stress caused by MDMA SSRIs, although these are Transporter – Protein embedded in a neuron’s cell may also affect other systems, even at levels not borne out by case wall which ‘transports’ chemicals across the far below those necessary to cause detectable reports and a research cell wall. neurotoxicity. One of the essential enzymes suggests that SSRIs in the production of serotonin is Tryptophan reduce MDMA’s overall ROUTES OF ADMINISTRATION 10 Hydroxylase (TPH) which converts physiological effects. IM - Intramuscular — Injected into a muscle Tryptophan to 5-HTP. Since MDMA causes Despite these issues, there IP - Intraperitoneal — Injected into the abdomen is good reason to believe a huge release of serotonin (and much of this IV - Intravenous — Injected into a vein serotonin is metabolized and excreted), TPH that SSRIs are ef fective PO - Oral — Swallowed or eaten is important to replenishing the brain’s serotonin at reducing risk of SC - Subcutaneous— Injected under the skin reserves after use. Both serotonin and TPH neurotoxicity. levels are much lower than normal after

Erowid Extracts Vol. 1, No. 2 / December 2001 7 striatum and also abolishes the increases in MDMA did not have statistically dif ferent What Does This Mean For Humans? the glial response [another marker of serotonin levels than the rats who received Although there is no research in humans neurotoxicity] observed in the hippocampus saline-only or vitamin C-only , but the rats confirming that antioxidants block MDMA- 11 7 days after MDMA.” Several additional who received MDMA+saline had serotonin specific oxidative stress, neurotoxicity , or labs have reproduced and confirmed that levels about 40% lower than all of the other tolerance, it is believed that the oxidative high-dose, injected antioxidants block rats, suggesting neurotoxicity. At the same stress mechanisms for toxicity in rats are very 1,3,6,7 MDMA neurotoxicity in rats. time, the remaining live rats were all given similar to those in humans. T rying to MDMA (10mg / kg injected, 4 times in 8 But perhaps even more interesting is speculate what implications this research has hours) and their behavioral and biochemical work done with cheap, well tolerated, and for humans is fraught with possible reactions recorded. The results clearly universally available antioxidants such as invalidating assumptions, but the research demonstrated that the rats who received ascorbic acid (vitamin C) showing similar with antioxidants seems to offer a potential MDMA without ascorbic acid during their protection. In the first paper to demonstrate method for decreasing the negative ef fects first session showed substantially attenuated this, G.A. Gudelsky 7 found that rats given of MDMA. The following paragraphs will effects to the second administration extreme doses of MDMA (20mg/kg injected attempt to describe some of the issues and under the skin) had lasting damage questions involved in trying to to their serotonin system, but that extrapolate from rat data to human rats given this same dose of MDMA Effects of Vitamin C on Free Radical Levels use. with a very high dose of ascorbic After Single MDMA Administration acid (250mg/kg injected) showed no Extrapolating From Rats to sign of serotonin damage. Humans? Because of differences in the Reducing Tolerance metabolic systems of rats and As with humans, rats given two humans, it is extremely dif ficult to doses of MDMA within a short extrapolate from the available data period of time experience to practical human application. substantially reduced experiential There are a number of confounding effects from the second issues. administration. In rats, this occurs 1) Equivalency of Dosages even when the doses are spread a week apart. Because a rat’ s Some researchers suggest that metabolism is much faster than that risk of neurotoxicity increases as of a human, one week may represent “total exposure” to MDMA and its an even longer recovery period in metabolites increases.5 This means humans. that potential neurotoxicity is affected not only by peak levels of A paper published in early 2001 MDMA, but also by how long the by Shankaran, Yamamoto, and MDMA remains in the bloodstream. Gudelsky not only confirmed the Total exposure is measured by previous work showing that Figure 1. Effects of MDMA on the extracellular concentration of the free something called “Area Under the antioxidants prevent serotonin radical 2,3-DHBA in rats. The upper line shows that levels of 2,3-DHBA are highest in rats given MDMA without Vitamin C. In comparison, the line with Curve” (AUC). Very simply, AUC depletion, but found that rats given downward pointing triangles shows levels of 2,3-DHBA in rats given both is the height of a curve multiplied ascorbic acid (vitamin C) with their vitamin C and MDMA. Lines marked with circles and squares show levels by its length. Picture a chart with a MDMA and then given another dose in control rats not given MDMA. graph from Shankaran 2001 curved line running from left to right. of MDMA a week later had stronger The height of the line represents the effects during the second experience amount of MDMA in the blood and than rats who did not receive ascorbic acid compared to the other 3 groups. MDMA- the length of the line represents time passing. the first week. This means that antioxidants activated release of serotonin in these rats As you’d expect, after a single dose of administered with MDMA may not only was blunted (figure 2), body temperature was MDMA, the line would rise initially , come reduce neurotoxicity, but may also decrease less affected, and behavioral signals (head to a peak, and then slowly go down over time. the reduction in ef fects experienced with a weaving, paw treading, and body posture) all If you imagine shading in the space below second dose a week later. indicated significant tolerance to MDMA the line in the chart, the area you shaded which none of the other rats exhibited. Shankaran studied 4 groups of rats, one would be the Area Under the Curve and Ascorbic acid administered with MDMA had which received saline only, one group saline would measure the total exposure of blocked not only damage, but also tolerance. + ascorbic acid, one group saline + MDMA serotonin neurons to MDMA and its (10mg/kg ip), and one group ascorbic acid This research re-energizes the question metabolites. It is easy to picture how both (100mg/kg ip) + MDMA (10mg/kg ip). One of whether long term experiential tolerance increasing the dose (which would cause a week later, a few rats from each group were to MDMA may be related to neurotoxicity , higher peak) or redosing during the killed and their levels of serotonin measured. but this remains an unresearched issue. experience (which would cause a longer The rats who received ascorbic acid with curve) would increase the AUC and thus

8 Erowid Extracts Vol. 1, No. 2 / December 2001 increase the amount of oxidative stress the might be required to reduce MDMA-related 100 umol per liter, while injected doses easily cells are exposed to. oxidative stress. raised ascorbic acid concentrations in blood to 10 times that amount.15,16 Unfortunately The AUC model helps explain why the Since we have no data about what doses oral administration is seldom studied in rats. seemingly excessive dosage regimens given of vitamin C are ineffective at blocking Because of this, there is still the question of to rats might be reasonable. Rats metabolize MDMA neurotoxicity in rats, we don't have whether it is possible to reach high enough MDMA 4-8 times faster than humans12,13 and a lower bound from which to speculate about levels of antioxidants after oral use to be thus in order to approximate the AUC for minimum human doses. Clearly it is neuroprotective. humans with a single dose in rats, a much unreasonable to even suggest that ecstasy higher single dose is required. A second way users inject 5 grams of vitamin C into their Which Antioxidants? to approximate the AUC of a human is to abdomen, but since the neurotoxic rat doses Although research has only shown that give rats multiple doses, spaced apart in time. of MDMA are also administered by injection ascorbic acid, alpha lipoic acid, l-cysteine, This method, used in the Shankaran study and very high, there is reason to think the and some obscure free radical scavengers are described above, extends duration as a way doses of antioxidants do not need to be this effective at reducing oxidative stress caused to better match human AUC and thus total high to have some positive ef fect. Normal by MDMA, there is every reason to exposure to oxidative stress. believe that other antioxidants would 2) Exaggerating To Find Effects of Vitamin C on Serotonin Levels also be effective. Antioxidants Subtleties After Multiple MDMA Administrations appear to work best in combination, interacting to make each other more It is likely that the levels of effective. Vitamin E and C are some neurotoxicity demonstrated in rats at of the best studied and most common doses of 10+ mg/kg are much worse antioxidants. When the heavier than those experienced by any vitamin E (alpha-tocopheryl-acetate) moderate recreational user of loses its electrons to a free radical, MDMA. This is a standard issue the lighter and water-soluble with laboratory research: ascorbic acid can replace the lost exaggerated doses and contexts are electron and then be carried of f as created to make otherwise small an inert waste product.17,18,19 changes more easily detectable. Vitamins C, E, and A are all Rats are given very high doses, plentiful in fresh fruits and when measured by dose per vegetables, but because MDMA acts bodyweight, in order to be able to as an appetite suppressant, it is detect what would otherwise be impractical to imagine users would subtle effects. Researchers inject consume enough food sources of rats with doses of MDMA 4-20 antioxidants during or directly after times higher than those taken orally their experience. Antioxidant by humans and these doses are multivitamins include things like measurably neurotoxic. The vitamins C and E, lipoic acid, reasoning goes that if a large dose is Figure 2. Effects of MDMA on serotonin levels in rats. The bottom line selenium, riboflavin, zinc, very neurotoxic, a small dose is a shows that levels are lowest in rats given MDMA without Vitamin C one week earlier. In comparison, the line with downward pointing triangles shows carotenoids, etc which should all little neurotoxic. This logic is not levels of serotonin in rats given both Vitamin C and MDMA one week earlier. help reduce general oxidative stress always correct because it assumes a Lines marked with circles and squares show levels in control rats not given in the body. The water soluble linear relationship between dose and MDMA the week before. graph from Shankaran 2001 vitamins such as C and lipoic acid damage. It is also quite possible that are quickly excreted from the body, there are thresholds under which no supplement level doses of over-the-counter so it is necessary to take them every 3-4 hours damage occurs.24,25 There is, however , antioxidants are very well tolerated and, to maintain high levels in the bloodstream. evidence that some long term changes or based on the work by Aguirre, it may be damage do occur at doses used by some Perhaps the most commonly reported helpful to take antioxidant supplements in people and there is also evidence that doses supplement taken with MDMA is 5-HTP, a the days both before and after each MDMA of MDMA within the normal human range serotonin precursor. There are numerous exposure. (100-150mg) overwhelm some enzymes that anecdotal reports that taking 5-HTP alone or metabolize MDMA.14 3) Injected vs Oral in combination reduces both unwanted side effects and day-after ef fects. One paper The doses of antioxidants given to the Injected doses of vitamins can act very found that very high doses of injected 5- rats are also very high. Injected doses of differently from oral doses. When taken HTP block MDMA neurotoxicity and 5-HTP 100mg/kg of ascorbic acid would be the orally, the blood levels of vitamin C peak has been shown to be an antioxidant, but 5- equivalent of 5-10 grams (!) of vitamin C much lower than the levels achieved with HTP’s neuroprotective effect may have injected into humans, an extremely high injection. In lab research, humans given high nothing to do with its being a mild dose. It is impossible, given the limited data, oral doses of vitamin C never reached peak antioxidant.20,21,22 It may be that 5-HTP is to know what levels of oral antioxidants plasma levels of ascorbic acid higher than

Erowid Extracts Vol. 1, No. 2 / December 2001 9 particularly suited to the task of reducing dosage labelling. It’s very important not Remaining Questions MDMA’s physical impact by both providing to take overdoses of A and D vitamins some oxidative protection and supporting the which can build up in the system with Several questions must still be answered replenishing of serotonin. Unfortunately, it successive doses and are known to cause before we know how useful this research is is also possible that 5-HTP could increase health problems at high levels. Too much for humans. the risk of serotonin syndrome and research vitamin A (over 25,000 IU per day), for • Do the supplements already in use needs to be done to determine whether this instance, can cause headaches, hair loss, reduce unwanted side effects or is a practical concern. and liver damage. V itamin E can also hangover? build up, but there are no published case There are also an increasing number of • What is the minimum effective dose of reports of serious problems resulting from recreational-psychoactive specific vitamin antioxidants which will block neurotoxicity overdoses. People who take blood products available, with combinations of in rats? thinners have increased risk of bleeding antioxidants and supplements chosen to • Do 5-HTP or other supplements increase because vitamin E can increase the action reduce side effects and hangovers. Many any medical risks in combination with of blood thinning medications. Overdoses MDMA users create their own combinations MDMA? of vitamin C (usually more than 1-2 grams based on the word of friends or comments • Are combinations of supplements more at a time) can cause diarrhea and intestinal from web forums. Vitamins and supplements effective at lower doses than single discomfort. Alpha-lipoic is water soluble which are frequently mentioned by MDMA chemicals in decreasing recovery time? and well tolerated, but tends to be users include vitamin C, E, A (beta carotene), expensive and is not as common as other • Can oral antioxidants reach levels alpha-lipoic acid, coenzyme Q-10 necessary to block neurotoxicity? antioxidants.23 (“ubiquinone”, an antioxidant involved in intracellular energy systems), selenium, B-6 Most people tolerate the common and other B-vitamins, magnesium (involved antioxidants well, but those with special The practical implications of rat-based in cell-energy and the production of sensitivities or health issues should be careful laboratory research are dif ficult to reliably serotonin), and many others. While there whenever trying a new chemical. Users assess. However, well-tolerated, common are a lar ge number of people self- should ask their doctor about the specific antioxidant supplements such as vitamins C, experimenting with supplements, so far there vitamins and dosages they plan to take. E, alpha lipoic acid, and others certainly isn’t much in the way of documentation of Specifically, they can ask about the use warrant further investigation as a simple successes and failures. of vitamins to help during times of means to reduce the negative impact of particularly high stress and physical activity, ecstasy use on the body. For MDMA users What Dose of Antioxidants? about possible complications, about who already take antioxidants occasionally, Because of the limitations listed above, contraindications with any other medications there seem to be few downsides to making nothing conclusive can be said about what or supplements they are taking, about sure to take reasonable doses of antioxidants dosage of antioxidants might be ef fective. research into benefits and risks of higher in the days before, during, and after their However, there are a number of anecdotal doses, and about FDA guidelines. There are ecstasy use. The risks are low and the reports from users that taking moderately other theoretical risks with taking high doses benefits may be immediately apparent. high doses of antioxidants before, during, and of antioxidants, such as acute aller gic A potential side-benefit to suggesting after MDMA experiences reduces the side reactions, unexpected pharmacological ecstasy users take vitamin supplements may effects and hangover. The doses described interactions, or potentially worsening be to increase awareness that MDMA is hard are generally those provided in typical unrelated severe adverse reactions to MDMA on the body. Taking antioxidants before, commercial supplements (1-2 grams of by lowering the pH of the blood slightly, but during, and after experiences could help vitamin C, 50-100mg 5-HTP , 5000 IU these risks are speculative and likely very foster more intention around ingestion, act vitamin A, 400 IU vitamin E, 5-50mg B-6, low. as a reminder that ecstasy is physically etc). Confusingly, we receive as many or stressful, and could offer an additional way more reports of “no effect” from those who Summary experienced users and harm reduction have experimented with supplements. MDMA causes a sharp increase in workers can communicate to new users about Although the anecdotal reports to date are oxidative hydroxyl radicals shortly after risks and precautions. Harm reduction groups hardly convincing, the issue appears worth administration. It is now believed that this could engage users in the issue of toxicity further investigation. rise in oxidative stress is likely involved in by discussing proper nutrition as a way to MDMA’s neurotoxicity, and may be involved maintain the enjoyable ef fects and recover Adverse Reactions to Vitamins in some of its negative side ef fects. Very more quickly. The most common side effect of taking high doses of injected antioxidants have been vitamins is stomach discomfort. Most shown in rats to dramatically reduce or block The primary downside to suggesting vitamins should be eaten with a small amount MDMA neurotoxicity as well as reduce antioxidants may be neuroprotective is the of food, such as a piece of fruit, bread, or tolerance to MDMA’s effects between chance that some ecstasy users will cracker in order to reduce stomach upset and neurotoxic doses. Based on these findings, misunderstand the information and believe unpleasant side effects. it is possible that common vitamin that taking vitamin C will protect them from antioxidants may be ef fective at reducing harm or that some will assume that taking Virtually all over-the-counter antioxidant risks of MDMA neurotoxicity , hangover antioxidants will allow them to increase their supplements have a unique blend of vitamins effect, tolerance, and general body stress. use of MDMA. Increasing MDMA dosage in them and generally include appropriate 10 Erowid Extracts Vol. 1, No. 2 / December 2001 or frequency of use is likely to significantly /www.erowid.org/extracts/v1/2-nejm.shtml “Interaction of antioxidants and their increase risk of neurotoxicity. The simplest 11) Aguirre N, Barrionuevo M, Ramirez implication in genetic anemia” Proc Soc Exp and most effective way to reduce risk of MJ, Del Rio J, Lasheras B. 1999. Biol Med 22(3):274. neurotoxicity is to reduce dosage, refrain “Alpha-lipoic acid prevents 3,4- 19) Bartfay WJ, Hou D, Brittenham GM, Bartfay from re-dosing during an experience, and methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA)- E, Sole MJ, Lehotay D, Liu PP. 1998. “The reduce frequency of use. induced neurotoxicity” Neuroreport synergistic effects of vitamin E and selenium 10(17):3675-80. in iron-overloaded mouse hearts” Can J References 12) Cho AK, Hiramatsu M, Distenfamo EW, Cardiol 14(7):937-41. Chang AS, Jenden DJ. 1990. “Stereochemical 20) Simic MG, al-Sheikhly M, Jovanovic SV. 1989. Searchable references can be found at: differences in the metabolism of 3,4- “Inhibition of free radical processes by erowid.org/extracts/v1/2-antiox_2.shtml methylene-dioxy-methamphetamine in vivo antioxidants-tryptophan and 5-hydroxy- 1) Shankaran M, Yamamoto BK, Gudelsky GA. and in vitro: a pharmacokinetic analysis” Drug tryptophan” Bibl Nutr Dieta (43):288-96. 2001. “Ascorbic Acid Prevents 3,4- Metab Dispos 18(5):686-91. 21) Noda Y, Mori A, Liburdy R, Packer L. 1999. Methylenedioxymethamphetamine-Induced 13) Mas M, Farré M, de la Torre R, Roset PN, “Melatonin and its precursors scavenge nitric Hydroxyl Radical Formation and the Ortuño J, Segura J, Camí J. 1999. oxide” J Pineal Res 27(3):159-63. Behavioral and Neurochemical Consequences “Cardiovascular and neuroendocrine effects 22) Betten A, Dahlgren C, Hermodsson S, of the Depletion of Brain 5-HT” Synapse 40:55- and pharmacokinetics of 3, 4-methylene- Hellstrand K. 2001. “Serotonin protects NK 64. dioxymethamphetamine in humans” J cells against oxidatively induced functional 2) Steranka LR, Rhind AW. 1987. “Effect of Pharmacol Exp Ther 290(1):136-45. inhibition and apoptosis” J Leukoc Biol cysteine on the persistent depletion of brain 14) de la Torre R, Farre' M, Ortuño J, Mas M, 70(1):65-72. monoamines by amphetamine p- Brenneisen R, Roset PN, Segura J, Camí J. 23) Vitamin overdose info: http://www.erowid.org/ chloroamphetamine and MPTP” Eur J 2000. “Non-linear pharmacokinetics of MDMA extracts/v1/2-antiox_3.shtml Pharmacol 133(2):191-7. (`ecstasy') in humans” Br J Clin Pharmacol 24) O'Shea E, Granados R, Esteban B, Colado 3) Schmidt CJ. 1987. “Neurotoxicity of the 49(2):104-9. MI, Green AR. 1998. “The relationship psychedelic amphetamine, methylene-dioxy- 15) Graumlich JF, Ludden TM, Conry-Cantilena between the degree of neurodegeneration of methamphetamine” J Pharmacol Exp Ther C, Cantilena LR Jr, Wang Y, Levine M. 1997. rat brain 5-HT nerve terminals and the dose 240(1):1-7. “Pharmacokinetic model of ascorbic acid in and frequency of administration of MDMA” 4) Sprague JE, Nichols DE. 1995. “The MAO-B healthy male volunteers during depletion and Neuropharmacology 37(7):919-26. inhibitor L-deprenyl protects against 3,4- repletion” Pharm Res 14:1133-9. 25) Huether G, Zhou D, Ruther E. 1997. “Causes methylene- dioxy-methamphetamine-induced 16) Levine M, Conry-Cantilena C, Wang Y, Welch and consequences of the loss of serotonergic lipid peroxidation and long-term serotonergic RW, Washko PW, Dhariwal KR. 1996. “Vitamin presynapses elicited by the consumption of deficits” J Pharmacol Exp Ther 273(2):667-73. C pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers: 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine 5) Baggott M, Jerome L, Stuart R. 2001. “3,4- evidence for a RDA” Proc Natl Acad Sci USA (MDMA, ‘ecstasy’) and its congeners” J Neural Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA): 93:3704-9. Transm 104(8-9):771-94. A Review of the English-Language Scientific 17) Carr AC, Zhu BZ, Frei B. 2000. “Potential 26) Stone DM, Johnson M, Hanson GR, Gibb JW. and Medical Literature” MAPS.org: erowid.org/ antiatherogenic mechanisms of ascorbate 1989. “Acute inactivation of tryptophan references/references.cgi?ID=1257 (vitamin C) and alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E).” hydroxylase by amphetamine analogs involves 6) Colado MI, O'Shea E, Granados R, Murray Circ Res 87(5):349-54. the oxidation of sulfhydryl sites” Eur J TK, Green AR. 1997. “In vivo evidence for 18) Chan AC, Chow CK, Chiu D. 1999. Pharmacol 172(1):93-7. free radical involvement in the degeneration of rat brain 5-HT following administration of MDMA ('ecstasy') and p-chloroamphetamine but not the degeneration following fenfluramine” Br Supplement Regimens Reported Effective by MDMA Users J Pharmacol 21(5):889-900. 7) Gudelsky GA. 1996. “Effect of ascorbate Regimen 1 Please note that both regimens include 5- and cysteine on the 3,4-MDMA-induced HTP. While 5-HTP is an anti-oxidant, it is depletion of brain serotonin” J Neural One dose just prior to use, one as effects wear off, and a third at 10-12 hours also a direct precursor of serotonin. It’s quite Transm 103(12):1397-404. possible that the effectiveness of the regimens 8) McKersie BD. 1996. “Oxidative Stress” 5-HTP = 100 mg are the result of 5-HTP as a serotonin precursor. http://www.agronomy.psu.edu/courses/ Vitamin C = 1000 mg AGRO518/Oxygen.htm Alpha Lipoic Acid = 250 mg Both L-Tyrosine and DLPA are dopamine 9) Colado MI, O'Shea E, Esteban B, precursors. Dopamine has been implicated in Granados R, Green AR. 1999. “In Regimen 2 MDMA neurotoxicity and there are some concerns that they may do more harm than vivo evidence against clomethiazole One dose just prior to use and one dose being neuroprotective against MDMA as effects wear off. good. ('ecstasy')-induced degeneration of It is also important to note that we have rat brain 5-HT nerve terminals by a 5-HTP = 100 mg received many reports of inef fective free radical scavenging mechanism” Magnesium = 500 mg Neuropharmacology 38(2):307-14. Vitamin C = 1000 mg supplement use. Given the current dataset, it’s impossible to know what factors are 10) Erowid E, Erowid F. 2001. “Response Vitamin B6 = 100 mg responsible for differing reactions to MDMA to ‘Websites with Misinformation about L-Tyrosine = 1000 mg and supplements. Illegal Drugs’” Erowid Extracts 1(2), http:/ DLPA = 400 mg

Erowid Extracts Vol. 1, No. 2 / December 2001 11 Web Sites with by Fire Erowid Misinformation About Illicit Drugs A Response to a Letter in the New England Journal of Medicine

n August, the New England Journal effects of MDMA. They commented that It should be noted that Boyer ’s original of Medicine published a letter to “The combined use of SSRIs (selective submission was a 30 page article cut to two the editor by Boyer , Shannon and serotonin reuptake inhibitors) or MAOIs pages by the editors of the NEJM. It is Hibberd entitled “Web Sites with (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) with drugs unclear whether the problems with the final IMisinformation about Illicit Drugs”.1 In this possessing serotonergic activity such as content were part of the original or a result article, Boyer et al. criticize government MDMA has led to serotonin syndrome in of these cuts, but we were disappointed that websites for not competing successfully with selected patients.” the NEJM would publish such a letter and “partisan” drug information web sites, name not allow space for a response. While it is true that combining MAOIs sites they consider partisan, and offer specific • with MDMA increases risks of serotonin 1. Boyer EW, Shannon M, Hibberd PL. 2001. criticism of information found on those sites. syndrome, there is little evidence to suggest “Web Sites with Misinformation about Illicit The authors made several comments the same is true about SSRIs. We submitted Drugs” NEJM 345:469-471. about Erowid.org, pointing out the lar ge a formal response to the New England http://erowid.org/extracts/v1/2-nejm.shtml amount of traffic the site gets, as well as Journal of Medicine (below) which they 2. Wax P. 2000. “Just a Click Away” J Toxicol implying that the information we provide is declined to publish, citing space limitations. Clin Toxicol 38:531. both less reliable than government sponsored anti-drug websites and likely to cause harm. Internet Drug Information To the Editor of the New England Journal of Medicine: In their article discussing Boyer et al. cite a study (W ax 2000) online drug information resources, Boyer et al. express concern over a comment made on 1 which looked at the effects of internet drug Erowid.org that taking an SSRI after Ecstasy may reduce the risk of MDMA neurotoxicity. information on the use of drugs by students. They state that taking an SSRI after MDMA might lead to serotonin syndrome, but their Their letter states that this study found: concern is unsubstantiated. “24 percent of college students used the SSRI coadministration has been practiced by MDMA users for many years, without evidence Internet to obtain information on illicit of serotonin syndrome, as documented by published papers 2 and dozens of unpublished substances, and 27 percent of Internet-using reports collected by Erowid. Additionally, one clinical study administered 1.5 mg/kg MDMA college students reported that Internet use (po) after citalopram with no evidence of increased medical risk. 3 By blocking MDMA increased the likelihood that they would use interactions with the serotonin transporter, SSRIs reduce the physiological and experiential drugs.” effects of MDMA in humans2, 3 and neurotoxicity in rodents.4 This includes attenuation of While this certainly implies that drug use both heart rate and blood pressure increases. increased after exposure to information on No drug or drug combination is without risks. At least one adverse event (not involving the internet, a closer examination of the study serotonin syndrome) has been reported after this combination.5 Attempting to decrease risk cited reveals that an even higher percentage of MDMA neurotoxicity with an SSRI may increase other risks, but serotonin syndrome is of students reported that internet drug not known to be one of them. information reduced the likelihood that they would use illicit drugs. The well meaning but misinformed concerns of Boyeret al. illustrate why many people rely on Erowid.org and other alternative information sources rather than biased “anti-drug” or From the study itself, 168 students were government-sponsored sites. Unlike those sources, the Erowid.or g archive maintains surveyed (94 college and 74 first year medical reliability through literature reviews, expert critiques, interviews with users and input from students). Nineteen percent reported having readers. We welcome comments and corrections. used the internet to find information on recreational drugs (24% college and 14% 1. Boyer EW, Shannon M, Hibberd PL. 2001. “Web Sites with Misinformation about medical). Of those who surfed for drug Illicit Drugs” N Engl J Med 345:469-471. information, 9% said this increased their 2. Stein DJ, Rink J. 1999. “Effects of ‘Ecstasy’ blocked by serotonin reuptake inhibitors” likelihood of using recreational drugs (27% J Clin Psychiatry 60:485. college and 0% medical) while 19% said it 3. Liechti ME, Vollenweider FX. 2000. “The serotonin uptake inhibitor citalopram reduces decreased their likelihood of using recreational acute cardiovascular and vegetative effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine 2 drugs (27% college and 10% medical). (‘Ecstasy’) in healthy volunteers” J Psychopharmacol 14:269-74. MDMA & SSRIs 4. Shankaran M, Yamamoto BK, Gudelsky GA. 1999. “Involvement of the Boyer’s primary criticism of Erowid was serotonin transporter in the formation of hydroxyl radicals induced by 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine” Eur J Pharmacol 385:103-10. in reference to a comment made about the potential use of SSRIs to reduce negative side 5. Lauerma H, Wuorela M, Halme M. 1998. “Interaction of serotonin reuptake inhibitor and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine?” Biol Psychiatry 43:929.

12 Erowid Extracts Vol. 1, No. 2 / December 2001 STILL HIGH AT 12 HOURS or DOWN AT 3? Re-examining MDA Duration Ecstasy Tablets containing MDA. by Earth & Fire Erowid Tablets tested with GC/MS and displayed on EcstasyData.org.

lthough there have been conflicting These new published durations included the duration of MDA as “8-12 hours”. reports about the duration of methylene- “6-10 hours”,3 “8 hours”,4 and Turek et al. dioxy-amphetamine’s effects, the canonical who reported that “Most subjects [...] could 3-6 Hour Duration sources generally agree on a duration of 8- still feel some effects after 12 hours” though Interviews with more than a dozen MDA 12 hours. This would place MDA’s duration blood pressure increases detected during the users in the summer of 2001 found there were at around double that of MDMA, which is first few hours had subsided to baseline levels consistent reports of a shorter duration. At generally documented at 4-6 hours. by hour five.5 An interesting note is that lab doses ranging from 90-150 mg, most of the research with MDMA has found that blood individuals interviewed placed the duration After receiving a number of credible pressure largely returns to normal within 4- of primary effects at less than 5 hours with Areports that the duration of MDA is perhaps 5 hours but pupil diameter takes longer to some reporting primary effects as short as 3 shorter than generally reported, more in the return to normal, approximately 8-12 hours.6 hours. range of 3-6 hours, we were spurred to look Although MDA’s metabolism and into the matter further. After some digging, Most of those interviewed said they physiological effects are largely similar to it appears there is good reason for confusion. found the curve of MDA very similar to that MDMA, equivalent research has not been While the question of duration will not be of MDMA; this included peak duration as done with MDA. resolved here, we can lay out the data as it well as an abrupt drop-of f of effects from stands today. In 1976, Andrew Weil published a report the plateau to near baseline. A couple of about MDA in the Journal of Psychedelic individuals reported being able to The Literature Drugs where he stated that at a dose of 90- intentionally hold the warm, positive space Perhaps the first to publish about the 150 mg, “effects persist for about twelve for 6 hours or more, but these individuals duration of MDA was Gordon Alles, a hours”7; this quote was subsequently included also reported the ability to do the same with UCLA researcher who tested the activity of in the widely read Psychedelics Encyclopedia MDMA. the substance on himself in the mid-1950s. by Peter Stafford (1978). Around the same He wrote that “The remarkable subjective time, the High Times Encyclopedia of 8-12 Hour Duration changes continued with varying emphasis for Recreational Drugs (now out of print) Among those to whom we talked were three to four hours.” 1 He also noted that reported that at an effective dose of 120-150 several respected, knowledgeable, and marked pupil dilation lasted 1-2 hours with mg MDA lasts about eight hours. And finally, experienced members of the community who some dilation for as long as 12 hours at high in PiHKAL (1991), Alexander Shulgin lists report having seen or had experiences doses.2 which support the 8-12 hour duration. Several When MDA hit the reports even mentioned streets in the mid-1960s, experiences of 12-24 hours there was still only minimal Published MDA Duration References after a single moderate-to- information publicly high level dose of known available about its ef fects 1959 - Alles — “subjective changes continued [...] for 3-4 hrs” material. or duration. MDA gained 1967 - Naranjo/Shulgin — “effects [...] lasted for approximately 8 hrs” in popularity through the 1970 - Jackson — “effects [...] last between 6 and 10 hrs” One chemist who ‘60s and was made illegal 1972 - Richards — 8 hrs (citing Naranjo/Shulgin) produced MDA in the in 1970 with the passage of 1974 - Turek — “Most subjects [...] could still feel some 1980s, both for himself the Comprehensive Drug effects after 12 hours” and friends, reported that Abuse Prevention and — Blood pressure returned to normal at 5 hrs while he experienced a Control Act. After a 1976 - Weil — “effects [...] persist for about 12 hrs” duration of 6-8 hours, decade of popular use, 1976 - Yensen — 6-14 hrs, with a mean of 8 hrs others had experienced there were several articles 1978 - High Times — “trip lasts about 8 hrs” idiosyncratically long published during the mid- 1978 - Stafford — 12 hrs (citing Weil) experiences of more than 1970s which included 1996 - Shulgin — “8-12 hrs” 12 hours. information about duration.

Erowid Extracts Vol. 1, No. 2 / December 2001 13 Chemical Identity effects” ended. Some found the after-effects Obviously, an important issue to address sedating, while others report is whether the material being used was MDA lingering stimulation and jaw and not some other MD-- compound. For the tension. published cited in the table, we feel It is quite possible that some reasonably confident that the materials used of those who report an 8-12 hour were in fact MDA. For the dozens of people duration could be including these interviewed this summer, all reported using “after-effects” in their duration. material from known experienced chemists Without a shared, unambiguous who asserted that the material was MDA. terminology, it is difficult to compare Some of the material was tested using reports reliably. Marquis, Mecke, and Simons reagents and results were consistent with MDA.8 The Role of Dosage MDA is often sold in pressed tablets as For most psychoactives, increasing “ecstasy” and there is a huge amount of dosage increases duration. One veteran confusion among users about what is psychedelic chemist, who preferred not to contained in these tablets. Some reports we be named, said s/he believed MDA’s duration have received about “MDA” ingestion are was more dose sensitive than that of MDMA. over three fold between the fastest more properly described as “suspected- “Whereas the duration of MDMA seems not metabolizer and the slowest: between 3.8 MDA” reports. None of those reports have to be prolonged very much by increasing the dose a hours and over 11 hours to reach half of the been included in this review. bit (e.g. going from 100 to 200 mg), if you double peak blood concentrations of MDMA. the dose of MDA from 100 to 200 mg you will When Do We Stop Counting? definitely [be affected] for a whole lot longer.” Knowing this, it’s difficult to rule out the possibility that there is a percentage of the One point that could account for some, Although MDA’s pharmacokinetics (the population who metabolize MD-- though not all, of the discrepancy in reports, how & when of metabolism) have not been compounds significantly more slowly than is differing definitions of duration. Does the studied, MDMA’s pharmacokinetics have the average person or have some other factor duration of a substance include all time been shown to have a non-linearity at doses which causes the duration to be radically during which one can detect any effects? between 75 and 200mg: in some people an longer. Unfortunately, it is difficult to make Does it end when one can go to sleep? Or increase of 25 mg from 125 to 150mg of any reliable assertions about how common does it end when physiological changes such MDMA can double the blood concentrations these reactions are. as increased blood pressure or dilated pupils of MDMA.8 While the research provides no return to normal? information about whether the increase in Expert Opinions blood levels affected experiential duration, Many of those who report a 3-6 hour As we began digging into this quandary, it is possible that a non-linearity in duration also described lingering after-effects we sought out some respected individuals metabolism could play a part in this ranging from mild to strong in intensity, and who had experience with MDA. lasting an additional 1-6 hours after “primary confusion. The role of dosage in user reports is also complicated by the fact that Nick Sand dosage is often unknown or First we talked to Nick Sand, a well unreliable. Excerpts from Shulgin's Notes known chemist who produced MDA in the Idiosyncratic Reactions late 1960s. He said he initially synthesized MDA in the search for a less-controlled LSD Over the years we have received 1. 60 mg ++ replacement. His working group was looking a handful of reports which describe peak: 2-2.5 hr. 3.5 hr, largely cleared for a long-acting compound (approximately unusually long experiences from the same duration as LSD) and found MDA 2. 80 mg ++ MDMA alone. While the average completely unsuitable because they came peak: 1.5-2 hr. By 3 hr largely out but there was an peak MDMA experience lasts down abruptly at around 4 hours. Some in unworldliness and lingering effect that went on to perhaps 3-4 hours, there are a small about the tenth hour. the group ended up taking three successive number of credible reports from doses in order to maintain effects for 10-12 3. 100 mg +++ people who report strong ef fects hours. Nick reported that redosing in this 2.5 hr. dropping off and pretty much out something lasting 8-16 hours after a single way led to “the worst hangovers [they] ever after 3 hrs. at the 10th hr, there was still tooth gritty, dose of known pure material. some leg pains and absolutely no appetite. had” which lasted several days. Because of Some of the recent this, the group quickly abandoned MDA.9 4. 120 mg +++ 2.5-3 hr. max. 3:40 dropping 4.5 hrs gone except pharmacokinetic data on MDMA 8 for peripheral grindy that lasted into the evening. from Marta Mas et al. has shown Alexander Shulgin that there is a wide variability in Next we asked Alexander Shulgin for his 5. 140 mg (#1) 100 mg (#2) 80 mg (#3) physiological metabolism of thoughts on the matter. After going back to 2 hrs, everyone at ++, 2:40 dropping 4:20 heavy teeth clench which lasted on to 8 hrs. MDMA. Of eight individuals who his original notes, he agreed that the duration were tested, there was a range of listed in PiHKAL is too long. Dr. Shulgin wrote:

14 Erowid Extracts Vol. 1, No. 2 / December 2001 “My notes pretty much support the shorter numb. There’s no finer intoxicant, but you need pure material), please let us know. duration that you mentioned (around 4 hrs) and careful and considerable support or the body load that is what I should have put into PiHKAL. The can turn you into a vegetable for the latter half of Notes / References consistent awareness of some past impact on the 9 the experience and the day after.” 1. Alles G. 1959. Neuropharmacology: body that always stretched out 8 hrs or more is what Transactions of the Fourth Conference: Sep probably prompted the longer time range. An Summary added nuance was from a number of reports by 25, 26, and 27, 1957 Josiah Macy, Jr. Claudio Naranjo, all of which stretched out for Although most sources list the duration Foundation, Princeton, N.J. 181-268. of MDA as between 6 and 12 hours, usually hours, but I now suspect that he was calling the 2. Alles G. 1959. A Pharmacologic Approach to stressing that it is significantly longer in session finished when his subjects (or he) got the Study of the Mind Charles C Thomas, completely to baseline. duration than MDMA, many users of MDA Springfield, IL. 238-247. have found the two to be of similar duration Also, I have just glanced at his chapter on MDA 3. Jackson B, Reed A Jr. 1970. “Another Abusable in The Healing Journey where he explored MDA in and effects. A number of very credible Amphetamine” JAMA 211(5): 830. some 30 patients. In some, there was a supplement reports exist of MDA-only experiences given, and in most he apparently continued the lasting 12-24 hours, but these appear to be 4. Naranjo C, Shulgin AT, Sargent T. 1967. therapeutic interactions through what may well far less common than experiences under 6 “Evaluation of 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine have been that body memory period. I suspect that hours. (MDA) as an adjunct to psychotherapy” Med he may have equated the end of the therapy session Pharmacol Exp 17: 359. with the full end of the drug’s effect. Based on our analysis of the available data, we have recently changed our 5. Turek IS, Soskin RA, and Kurland AA. 1974. If I were to write PiHKAL today, “Methylene-dioxy-amphetamine [MDA] would have a duration of about (MDA) -- subjective effects” J of 4-5 hours and a strong emphasis on the Psychedelic Drugs 6(1): 7-14. fact that you weren't completely out of “Describing the difference between MDMA and MDA it, bodywise, for quite a few more to the unexperienced is like trying to explain the 6. Mas M, Farre M, de la Torre R, Roset hours.”9 difference between shiraz and cabernet to someone PN, Ortuno J, Segura J, Cami J. 1999. who only thinks in terms of ‘red wine / white wine’.” “Cardiovascular and neuroendocrine Rick Doblin effects and pharmacokinetics of 3, 4- Lamont Granquist Rick Doblin, president of — methylenedioxymethamphetamine in MAPS (the Multidisciplinary humans” J Pharmacol Exp Ther. Association for Psychedelic 290(1):136-45. Studies), commented: documentation of MDA duration from “8- 7. Weil AT. 1976. “The love drug” J of Psychedelic “My experience with MDA has been very 12 hours” to “3-5 hours” and added notes Drugs 8(4): 335-337. about the confusion and lingering effects. positive and pleasurable. I’d also say the duration 8. Simon’s reagent differentiates between MDA is 4-6 hours, though I’m not surprised that it lasts There are several open questions: and MDMA/MDE, but there is the possibility much longer in some people since psychological processes can impact duration.”9 whether MDA’s duration may be more dose- that some other MD* compound could react sensitive than MDMA; what percentage of identically to MDA on all 3 of these tests. L’s Comparison users experience what duration; how to 9. Private Communications with Nick Sand, “The total experience is 8 hours, but the “trip” describe the effects-time curve so that we Alexander Shulgin, Rick Doblin, and L. have a shared terminology for describing is 4-5 hours like X. The after-effects are like being 10. Richards, R.N. 1972. “Experience with MDA” way-laid: definitely washing around in the after- when effects “end”; and whether some of the Canadian Med Assoc Journal 106: 256-259. swell of a full experience of an amphetamine- duration confusion is due to including boosts hallucinogen. We call MDA ‘industrial electronic in duration calculations. 11. Yensen R, DiLeo F, Rhead JC, Richards, WA, Soskin RA, Turek B, and Kurland AA. 1976. mushrooms’ and compare the post-peak to riding If you have information about MDA the diesel-electric locomotive all the way home. “MDA-assisted psychotherapy with neurotic duration that is not mentioned in this article Your feet & teeth vibrate for some time after you outpatients: A pilot study” J of Nervous and (including experience reports with known- step off a huge machine like that: tingling and Mental Disease 163: 233-245. •

MDA TIMELINE

1910 - MDA first synthesized by chemists 1953 - Harold Blauer dies of an overdose 1963 - 1964 - MDA begins showing up in G. Mannish and W. Jacobson. of MDA (code name EA-1298) the counterculture. during an army-sponsored drug 1939 - First animal tests with MDA. experiment. 1970 - The Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act is 1941 - First human trials with MDA during 1957 - Gordon Alles describes the MDA passed, making MDA (and many search for parkinsonism therapy. experience at a conference in other drugs) illegal. Princeton, New Jersey. 1949 - 1957 - MDA studied as a potential 1970-2001 - Recreational and antidepressant and anorexic 1958 - 1961 - MDA is patented by several underground therapeutic use agent by Smith, Klein and French. companies for a variety of purposes. continues despite its illegal status.

Erowid Extracts Vol. 1, No. 2 / December 2001 15 I, LAB RAT by Catfish Rivers An Experience with 2C-I

aving no deep spiritual need to trip, no around me like a silken sheet against bare I lay on my black leather sofa, sinking back, unresolved questions on which to flesh on a summer night. It is fun to touch staring at the phantasmagoric ballet floating ponder, and a fresh supply of 2C-I, things and feel their texture. I close my eyes about the dark, candlelit basement. H Catfish found himself in a wee bit of a and handle familiar objects, trying to Didgeridoo music garbles away in the quandary. Does one require a reason to trip? translate what I feel into an imagined copy background, reminding me to which reality If one trips without an unwavering intent in my thoughts. This exercise helps center I belong, grounding me. about where to direct the psychedelic my awareness, which was growing more and energies, is it merely escapism? more scattered as the effects increase. Within 1:44 AM Psychonautical wanking? I sat around for minutes I start to notice slight swirls and three days pondering this in my spare time, psychedelic eddies flowing across the carpet Behind closed eyes, I sense an immense every now and then picking up the small bag and cinder block walls. Watching the flame yellow-green radiating sphere. I feel a sort of clumpy off white powder and staring at it, of a candle is calming. I can see tiny sparks of gravitational pull towards the light, the as if expecting it to say “eat me”. It was leaping from the body of the flame, as if it is sensation is centered around my third eye plain ‘ole curiosity that won out in the end. stretching for the sky. I get up and look in area. I feel as if some part of me is being I felt confident knowing that the scorpion the mirror. My pupils are well dilated. I once tugged through this area, as if I were falling sting of curiosity is reserved for the cat, and saw on the Learning Channel into myself. The feeling is not too dissimilar not for me, for tonight: I am Lab Rat. that dilated from the falling sensation felt before sleep. As I begin to understand that I’m moving closer to the 10:26 PM light, I hear a voice So, down the rat hole I went, 25 informing me over and over mg 2C-I, oral in a gelcap. I chose in a sing- songy ghostly my dosage based upon my whisper, “you’re a dreamer , experiences with other 2C drugs, not a genius...” This phrase sweeps 2C-T-2 and 2C-T-7. I had drunk a over me like a lullaby as I move deeper cup of coffee within the last hour , which and deeper into the radiance... Losing myself may have contributed in some way to the in the realization of my lot in life. experience. Earlier on, while I was measuring out my dose, I tasted a wee 2:33 AM speck of the powder and was surprised to find it almost tasteless, at least compared to Unfortunately, my puppy had to piddle and pupils are a sign that his whimpering broke the spell I was under. the extreme bitterness of other research we’re attracted to what chemicals. The powder itself resembled flour. The light slowly recoiled back into itself and we’re looking at. Staring through was swallowed back into the nothing. I felt the veils of my humdrum routines and worker higher than I have felt in quite a while. I 11:03 PM bee existence, my pupils are ready to swallow was bordering on the delusional state induced First alert coming on slowly. A slight chest whole what lies before them. by high DXM doses. To top that, I still felt rush is developing. It is a soft warm glowing there was more terrain to climb on Mt. 2C-I. sensation which feels quite nice, like a hug 12:00 AM I wasn’t standing on the peak quite yet. from an old friend. Slight tension in my lower I am nearing a +++, but I know that the ride jaw area, nothing troublesome at this point. isn’t even close to over yet. Playing guitar “I feel secure in my ability to I’m salivating like a hungry dog however . yields fresh and innovative licks. I am in Perma-grin smile forms around 11:15 and is discern between what is real and the flow, no thoughts, just my hands and my what is not . . .” pinned to my visage like a mask for the rest ears working as one. The visuals have of the evening. Several times I have to stop become quite engrossing by now . what I’m doing in order to take deep breaths Everywhere I look, I see a hodgepodge of I venture outside to smoke a bowl. This and relax my cheeks because they hurt from neon swirls, waves, and tracers. Geometric instantly brings some peace of mind. I can too much smiling. At this point it’ s safe to tubes and other Final Fantasy Ghost-looking feel the soft cradle of THC rock my mind say my mood is floating upwards like a hot hallucinations move about the room, gliding softly back and forth. I feel secure in my air balloon. My head feels as if it’ s in the eerily through and over objects. After a ability to discern between what is real and clouds and I feel a fluf finess pervading my while, it is quite hard to convince myself that what is not... skull. Fluffhead as Phish would sing... these are products of my mind. I start to believe that they are sentient energetic beings: Moments after having this thought, I glance 11:23 PM that I have recalibrated my senses to pick up a skywards to watch the night sky, only to see a smiling Mayan shaman trickster type A wonderful body buzz has wrapped itself weak signal from higher frequency realities.

16 Erowid Extracts Vol. 1, No. 2 / December 2001 peering down at me from a maple tree in my annoying and uncomfortable. I have a bit of yellow-green light earlier, “you’re a dreamer, back yard. I suppress a startled yelp. a sore throat feeling I associate with jaw not a genius...” and everything is starting to Nervously, I peek back up at the tree and see tension. I take .5 mg clonazepam to help make sense again. only a cluster of tree branches where I saw alleviate the symptoms. I should have done the merry prankster a moment ago. this sooner, but I was in no mind to think Afterward Somehow, I am not so sure that what I saw ahead. The jaw tension gets worse over the wasn’t real. It was such a lucid and clear next 30 minutes so I add two beers to help I felt no real nausea with 2C-I, perhaps some image that I wonder how my mind could me relax. As I finish them, the clonazepam slight stomach tension, but nothing worth construct it. Rarely do I have visual has kicked in and I am feeling much better. worrying about. Slight leg twitching in the hallucinations in which the scene is so “real”. hamstring area was present during the lift off. The jaw tension was troubling however. 4:00 AM I feel well above a +++ experience. I glance I feel that 2C-I is much more potent than its at my skin and see a myriad of fluid I smoke a bowl to celebrate. V isuals have counterparts 2C-T-2 and 2C-T-7. 25 mg was hieroglyphic tattoos. I can’t see behind the slowed but are still quite active. I again a bit too much. Next time I will experiment visuals; it’s as if my skin has actually become believe I can discern what is real and what with say 15-20 mg. In retrospect, I was this symbolic fluid. The room is awash with isn’t. While earlier I felt I was moving at floored by the multifaceted quality of this so much movement, I am beginning to lose lightspeed, I now feel slow and sticky minded drug. It was immensely visual, music was track of where exactly I am. There is no way due to the alcohol and clonazepam. I could be in public at this level. Who knows greatly enhanced, my thoughts were gilded in the juices of creativity, and my body was what mishaps might occur. 6:00 AM awash with a pleasurable glow somewhat akin to 5-MeO-DiPT or 4-Acetoxy-DiPT , 3:15 AM I am groggy enough to drop of f to sleep. I fade away into dreams, remembering the though not as erotic. I predict this one will Heavy jaw tension has settled in. It is rather mantra I heard while lost in the radiant soon be all the rage. •

Organizational Updates

Trip (tripzine.org) MAPS (maps.org) The winter issue of Trip magazine arrives in early December. In this On Friday November 2, MAPS received approval for its MDMA/PTSD issue, “Psychedelic America Speaks Out” on the war on terrorism, research protocol. The proposed study will look at MDMA as a with thoughts by Erik Davis, Antero Alli, James Kent, Mark Pesce, potential treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Alexander Shulgin, R.U. Sirius, Rick Strassman, Earth Erowid, and This approval marks the culmination of 16 years of effort on the part others. The T rip staff is working hard to build up to a quarterly of Rick Doblin to gain approval for scientific research into the use of schedule, and recently welcomed new contributing editors Erik, Mark, MDMA as an adjunct to psychotherapy in the United States. The study and Paco Xander Nathan. now awaits approval by the Institutional Review Board (a normal part Entheogen Review (entheogenreview.com) of the approval process), but FDA approval was a major hurdle to A sample compilation of ER articles is now available on their website overcome. as a PDF. The site now also lists the contents of all back issues. We Council on Spiritual Practices (csp.org) ER hope to see more archives online and available to the public in CSP completed their new book Psychoactive Sacramentals in July ER the future. The upcoming issue of discusses a new technique for (Thomas B. Roberts, ed.). Definitely recommended for those interested psilocybian mushroom growth perfected by an amateur Dutch in the spiritual use of entheogenic plants and chemicals. mycologist. This technique reportedly does away with the need for sterile procedures...should be interesting. DanceSafe (dancesafe.org) DanceSafe has expanded their Ecstasy Testing Kit project and are now Alchemind (alchemind.org) selling Mecke and Simon’s reagents in addition to the Marquis reagents “Ask Dr. Shulgin”, a service provided by Alchemind, is now available they previously offered. The new combination kits are able to distinguish for display on other sites, as long as it is clearly marked as such and MDMA/MDE from MDA, DXM, Amphetamines, and 2C-T-7. links back to alchemind.org. Ecstasypills.com, related to eztest.com, now features “Ask Dr. Shulgin” embedded in its own website. Contact Media Awareness Project (mapinc.org) Alchemind for details. The on-line database of drug policy related media articles recently received cease and desist demands from many newspapers and legal Lycaeum (lycaeum.org) firms after MAP was announced to an email list of newspaper In June, The Lycaeum found a new home with Gluckspilz and friends. librarians and journalists. MAP is temporarily utilizing an excerpt There was a rough transition with the server being down for several method with articles from these papers and publishers as an interim weeks, but it has been up and stable since mid-July. The same group step until they can determine how or if they can resume full text put together a parody of the government sponsored Anti-Drug website posting. This action affects archives from the NY Times, Newsweek, at theantidrug.org (original: theantidrug.com). Boston Globe, SF Examiner, and Time, among others. • Erowid Extracts Vol. 1, No. 2 / December 2001 17 little in the way of practical advice beyond “don’t smoke crack”. MEME CULTIVATION The very chemicals which make our brain function can and do change how we think Publishing information about number of Erowid documents into Magyar and feel. Nearly every plant, if concentrated psychoactives continues to be challenging (Hungarian language), a German medical and smoked, snorted, eaten, or injected in work. We face a constant barrage of journal using an image, and a French author sufficient quantities will alter your thinking. incoming commentary, criticism, and praise who is using an experience report in an Nearly every chemical under the sink or in and difficult choices to make about where to upcoming book. One of the small uses which the hardware store and nearly every medicine spend time, what to include, and what to particularly pleased us is the use of our 3D in your medicine chest will make you feel exclude. Criticism comes from all sides, caffeine molecule in a recent issue of the San funny if you take enough. Some from the expected angry parent, to members Francisco Exploratorium’s newsletter. neurotransmitters required for brain function of the psychedelic community who think are actually scheduled in the United States We continue to believe that our work is we’re not doing enough or that we’re selling (DMT and GHB). very directly affecting the way people think out their ideals. Praise also comes from all about and relate to psychoactives. A There is no escaping that our mental sectors, with surprising support coming from generation is growing up with unprecedented states are built on an ever-changing and user- access to information and we hope that as serviceable biochemistry. Drink a Coke, get the quality and accessability grows, the next a little stimulated, lie down on the floor with You people need to be educated generations will make better and healthier the lights off or drink herbal tea, relax a little. about ghb. I cannot believe what i am decisions. Play a computer game, use a mind machine, reading in this demented web site. I take supplements, snort cocaine, smoke pot, will make it my full time job to have Good Drugs / Bad Drugs? inject heroin, swallow ecstasy , chew khat, this site outlawed. I will donate One of the specific meme-changes we take Prozac, Valium, cough syrup, Ritalin, money to people to help me organize work to promote is informed differentiation Viagra, Adderall, Tylenol III, Benadryl, Zyban, the formation of an ant-erowid site between specific plants and chemicals. Oxycontin... the list is endless and growing. coalition. You and your whole Everyone makes choices about how to company are the biggest joke and Unfortunately we are swimming upstream against the tax- and corporate- regulate their moods and feelings; some embarrasment to this world that I choices lead to happier people and healthier have ever seen. funded juggernauts and their “public service announcements”. Prohibitionists repeat ad humans and others lead to more depressed — email sent to Erowid by B.G. nauseum that there is a class of things called people and more disease, but there are no firm “drugs” which one can “stay away from” or lines around what works and what doesn’ t. “just say no” to. Many alternative publishers As more and more people are exposed to ever people who work for prohibitionist believe that this “drugz” meme has done long more choices, “Just Say No to Drugs” seems organizations and agencies. The ratio of term damage to the public’ s critical skills, a quaint relic of a failed cultural experiment. positive to negative feedback remains weakening people’s ability to make important As this century progresses, humankind extremely high, with perhaps one critical note distinctions. There is an unspoken must come to terms with a radically different per hundred or more we receive in support. assumption that everyone knows which drugs psychoactive technology playing field. We We continue to expect that the level of are “bad”. Certainly they’re not talking about must face this technology with accurate and scrutiny on our work will rise. The NEJM ibuprofen, probably not cof fee, but how complete information and useful critical article (page 12) and the various prurient about Viagra, Prozac, or Dexedrine? The frameworks. • national news-tainment publishers continue intentionally vague grouping seems to offer to offer extremely unbalanced and partisan forums for the complex issues around psychoactives. The Hive’s recent inclusion Storage Tips : Label Psychedelic Clearly in an expose on ecstasy production by Careful labelling of substances and appropriate storage are both important parts of Dateline NBC (October 2001) and the new responsible psychoactive use. backlash against information with the “War on Terrorism” has increased paranoia and Don’t use food containers for psychoactives. Even if it seems like it would never fear in many on the edges of this controversial happen, it’s not at all uncommon for a guest to see a food or beverage container and eat or drink out of it. This goes for cannabis cookies in the cookie jar on the topic. kitchen counter, ayahuasca in a tea bottle in the fridge, GHB in a water bottle in the Our work continues to spread into the cupboard, etc. Many unpleasant and dangerous experiences can be avoided if corners of the wider culture. Dozens of strong psychoactives are never confusable with food or drink. newspapers, television shows, and websites Storing white powders unlabelled can also come back to bite you. If you’ve ever have included images or bits of text from been in the possession of more than one white powder at a time, figure out a way to erowid in the last 6 months, most with a note label them. No matter how sure you are that you’ll remember what each is, time in the corner saying “erowid.org”. Examples passes, memories fade, & other people get involved. Often people choose not to are too many to list, but include a group in label items out of fear. Cryptic abbreviations are far better than nothing when you’re Hungary (www.daath.hu) translating a trying to remember which vial contains the MDMA and which contains 2C-T-7.

18 Erowid Extracts Vol. 1, No. 2 / December 2001 An Interview with Andrew Weil An Excerpt from Ecstasy:The Complete Guide, Edited by Julie Holland, M.D.

JH: Do you think that MDMA has any place JH: The integration? immunology course, for instance, the word in alternative medicine? “psycho-neuro-immunology” isn’t even AW: Yes. Integration may require some mentioned. There is a lack of connection AW: I don’t know that I would put it in work and help, so that the experience doesn’t between this body of research and the alternative medicine. I think it has a place just get boxed up and put into the past. But public’s enthusiasm for it, as opposed to the in medicine. I wouldn’t make a distinction I definitely think that during the experience, actual day-to-day application in medicine. there. For me, the interesting thing is that if one can gain insights into the nature of one’s the set and setting are properly attended to, problems. JH: Do you have any opinion about the issue MDMA can produce a state of great of MDMA being synthetic, as opposed to JH: What about the recreational or relaxation and lack of defensiveness in which natural, in terms of its use in alternative pleasurable component of MDMA? Most the body behaves differently. You see that medicine? people want to separate the recreational and chronic pain can disappear and that habits the therapeutic aspects of MDMA. AW: If there were a totally natural substance can disappear. It can show people that there that had the effect of MDMA, I would use it, is a possibility that they’re not obliged to AW: I don’t make much of a distinction. I but there isn’t one. MDMA is semi- have certain symptoms. The experience can think recreational experiences can be synthetic; it’s pretty close to a natural motivate them to figure out other ways to therapeutic. substance, but it’s got a slight twist. maintain that symptom-free state. JH: The quality of acceptance or forgiveness JH: I have heard you speak of optimism as a JH: What is your opinion about the use of that people experience with MDMA can be healing tool. For most people, the MDMA- MDMA in palliative care? valuable. Would you say that in some induced state is chock full of optimism. medical conditions, there is an element of AW: I have less experience with that. I know anger or fear or guilt? AW: Right. ... Optimism is a behavior and of some cases of people with advanced cancer an attitude that can be learned, and I think who felt it was very positive for them. It AW: Definitely. I think all of those kinds of that it has many consequences in terms of helped them come to a sort of resolution with states translate into body states. how our bodies function and how our minds their lives and complete emotional work that JH: So it would probably be therapeutic to work. I think that just having the experience they had to do with other people. have an experience where those emotions are of it, seeing that there is a mental perspective JH: I was hoping to touch on the potential markedly lessened. What is your take on from which things can look positive, is very for MDMA to be used as an analgesic “psycho-neuro-immunology”? useful—especially if you haven’ t had that [painkiller]. perspective in a long time. The basic point AW: It is a field that’s very well established. is that mental states translate into physical AW: A major component of pain is the It’s been around for three decades, and there states. And one of the great values of the subjective experience of it. MDMA changes is a vast body of research on it. The problem MDMA experience is that it can show you your perspective about what is going on in is that it’s made very little impact on thinking very concretely how a shift in your mental your body, so it can help people develop a and practice in conventional medicine. It’s state can produce dramatic responses in your new relationship with chronic pain in which had all sorts of resonance with the general body. Often, this has significant carrryover it is less of a discomfort. public as a result of books and TV shows. into daily life. At the University of Arizona in the JH: And what about the impact of fear and • anxiety on pain perception? AW: That’s a huge component of pain. If VENDOR NOTES the experience is structured properly, MDMA induces an extremely low anxiety state, • JLF, an online supplier of “poisonous non-consumables”, was raided by federal which can dramatically lessen that aspect of authorities in September. JLF maintains that none of the substances they sell are pain. Often, there is a great deal of carryover illegal, and no charges have yet been filed. after that experience. • Other vendors, particularly those selling research chemicals, have shut down in the JH: Do you see insight as a tool to assist in wake of the JLF situation. physical healing? For instance, if MDMA • Science Alliance, a chemical supplier in Texas well known for being home-chemistry is used in a psychotherapeutic setting, and a friendly, was put out of business by the DEA in September 2001. The owner admitted person comes away with a better on a nationwide television news magazine to being Strike, the founder of the Hive (a understanding of self-defeating or self- web forum for discussing underground chemistry) and a convicted MDMA chemist. He damaging behavior in terms of lifestyle, do has been charged with conspiracy to produce MDMA and business records were seized. you think that could help someone with his or her health issues? • In May, we reported that we had received many complaints against ethnobotanical supplier Shaman’s Garden. The company was recently reclaimed by its founder, AW: Yes. I think that gaining insight is the who offered to fulfill any outstanding orders neglected under the previous manager. easy part; the harder part is applying it.

Erowid Extracts Vol. 1, No. 2 / December 2001 19 A Look at the Mescaline Content of TTT. peruvianus and T. pachanoipachanoi.

Close-up photo showing the spines of T. peruvianus (above), cluster of T. pachanoi (center), and T. peruvianus (right). Photos by Erowid

MYTH DEBUNKING by Fire Erowid

Rumors persist among those interested T. peruvianus which showed .817% Diameter 1 in mescaline containing cacti that mescaline by dry weight. Unfortunately, he Length is a traditional method of Trichocereus peruvianus (Peruvian Torch) is appears to have ignored the data found by measuring a dose of columnar cacti. “A piece “10x stronger” than Trichocereus pachanoi Poisson who, in 1960, found 2.0% mescaline the length of your forearm, from elbow 2 (San Pedro). As usual, there appear to be a by dry weight in T. pachanoi. to knuckle” (12-15 in.) is a common number of reasons for this confusion. recommendation, which unfortunately The Data doesn’t take diameter into consideration. Due The Sources The published data does not support a to the relative unavailability of accurate The earliest reference supporting the claim of 10x potency. A look at the original scales, many amateur cacti enthusiasts myth seem to be Peyote and Other sources shows that the potencies of the two continue to measure dosages by length rather Psychoactive Cacti, by Adam Gottlieb. In species are quite similar, with the difference than weight. 1977 Gottlieb wrote, “ T. peruvianus is from one specimen to the next outweighing purported to contain ten times the mescaline the difference between species. Mescaline T. peruvianus tends to grow to a lar ger content of San Pedro.” He makes no mention contents (by dry weight) in pachanoi have diameter than T. pachanoi, meaning that at of where this rumor came from and cites no been found ranging from .33% - 2.375%, equal potency, less length is required of sources to support it, but the claim remains while peruvianus has been found with .817% peruvianus for the same dose. Even after in the 1997 reprint. and 0%.3,4,5 standardizing all other factors (assuming an average of 90% water by weight and 1% Second is a note in Ott’s Pharmacotheon The only way we reach anything like 10x mescaline by dry weight), 7 the difference (1993) where he states that “Mescaline has potency for peruvianus is if we compare the between the mescaline content of a 9 cm been found in 12 species ofTrichocereus , the single published isolation of peruvianus diameter and a 6 cm diameter cactus is highest concentration in T. peruvianus.” To against the lowest recorded mescaline significant. An 8 cm long section of a 9 cm support this, Ott cites the only published content for T. pachanoi. Obviously this is a diameter cactus would yield approximately reference on the isolation of mescaline from faulty analysis. 400 mg of mescaline—a good solid dose— 20 Erowid Extracts Vol. 1, No. 2 / December 2001 URURURTHURTHURTHUR F REMEMBRANCE OF KEN KESEY by david moses fruchter Beloved author and counter-culture hero neglect of that character which later caused The next 20-odd years of life on the farm Ken Kesey died Saturday, November 10, at Kesey to sue, unsuccessfully, to prevent the for Kesey, his family and the occasional odd the age of 66. Kesey’s death was attributed film’s release. visitor are chronicled in his 1988 short-story to complications arising from diabetes and collection, Demon Box, which also contains Kesey’s second novel, Sometimes a Great recent surgery to remove a tumor. Kesey’s the children’s story “Little T ricker the Notion, was a tale of a logging family , the own words on the subject: “Nothing lasts.” Squirrel Meets Big Double the Bear”. After Pacific Northwest, and the paradoxes of self- being published separately, this story was Raised in Oregon, Kesey attended reliance. Shortly after completing it in 1964, named a Recommended Book for Children graduate school in creative writing at Kesey left novel-writing to found the Merry by the Library of Congress. Stanford University. It was during this period Pranksters, a loose group of bold, surreal that he volunteered as a subject for clinical artists and performers whose ventures Kesey’s final novel, a collaboration with trials with LSD at a nearby VA hospital, and included a wild cross-country road trip in the fellow Prankster Ken Babbs, was managed to smuggle some of the drug out to psychedelic converted school bus they called appropriately titled Last Go Round. Babbs, share with fellow residents of his Perry Lane Furthur, and the Acid Tests, all-night LSD- Kesey’s close friend of over 30 years, also neighborhood, infamous for its bohemian, soaked free-for-alls of art, music, bizarre provided this moving epitaph for Kesey: artistic and intellectual residents. This was antics and community. “He will be sorely missed but if there is the first of several communities to coalesce After serving three months in jail for one thing he would want us to do it would around Kesey and psychedelic drugs. marijuana possession, Kesey retreated to his be to carry on his life’ s work. Namely to Kesey took a job as a psychiatric aide in farm in rural Oregon with his wife, Faye, and treat others with kindness and if anyone does that same VA hospital, where he garnered his children, Jed, Zane and Shannon. Kesey you dirt forgive that person right away. This much of the material for his first published remained unapologetic about his advocacy goes beyond the art, the writing, the novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. of drugs: “I think acid is a blessed drug,” he performances, even the bus. Right down to The novel was told from the hallucinatory said in 1986, adding: “There have been more the bone.” point of view of a Columbian Indian patient, people killed in planes searching for We’ll try, Ken. Chief Broom, and it was the film version’ s marijuana [than] smoking it.” •

while an equal length section of a 6 cm What this all suggests to the average 6. Agurell S. 1969a. “Identification of Alkaloid diameter cactus would yield only 180 mg, just consumer is that when looking for potent Intermediates by Gas Chromatography-Mass above a threshold dose. cacti, the reliability of the source is likely Spectrometry. I. Potential Mescaline Precursors in Trichocereus Species” Lloydia more important than the species. Summary 32(1): 40-45. 1. Pardanani JH, et al. 1977. “Cactus Alkaloids. 7. Trout K. 1998 [Revised 1999]. Trout’s Notes It is important to note that both T. XXXVI. Mescaline and related compounds on Cactus Chemistry by Species p 47. pachanoi and T. peruvianus vary significantly from Trichocereus peruvianus” Lloydia 40(6): 8. Aardvark D (Ed.) 1998. Entheogen Review: in mescaline content from one specimen to 585-590. The Journal of Unauthorized Research on the next, based on factors such as soil 2. Poisson J. 1960. “Présence de mescaline dans Visionary Plants and Drugs 7(1): 18-19. condition, altitude, amount of sun and age. une Cactacée péruvienne” Annales 9. Personal communications with K. Trout and Additionally, there is great confusion Pharmaceutiques Françaises 18: 764-765. M.S. Smith. taxonomically concerning T. peruvianus. 3. Crosby DM, McLaughlin JL. 1973. “Cactus • Most experts agree it’s likely there are many Alkaloids. XIX. Crystallization of Mescaline HCl Published Mescaline Content distinct species being circulated as T. and 3-Methoxytyramine from Trichocereus pachanoi” Lloydia 36(4): 416-418. peruvianus. T. pachanoi (dry) 4. Helmlin H, Brenneisen R. 1992. “Determination Unfortunately, without more testing ofT. of psychotropic phenylalkylamine derivatives 2.375% — Helmlin & Brenneisen 1992 peruvianus samples, it’s difficult to know in biological matrices by high-performance 2% — Poisson 1960 how the average peruvianus compares to the liquid chromatography with photodiode-array 0.67% — Agurell 1969a average pachanoi. Common wisdom and detection” Journal of Chromatography 593: 87- 0.33% — Crosby & McLaughlin 1973 bioassay data still put T. peruvianus as the 94. T. peruvianus (dry) more potent of the two, but only about 2-2.5 5. Agurell S. 1969b. “Cactaceae Alkaloids I” times stronger at best, and without scientific Lloydia 32(2): 206-216. 0.817% — Pardanani 1977 data to back up the claim. 0% — Agurell 1969b

Erowid Extracts Vol. 1, No. 2 / December 2001 21 Mouth-Smoking Cannabis

One of the primary health issues with experience so much wheezing and chest Mouth-smoking is not as ef ficient as cannabis is the effect of smoke on the lungs. discomfort that it’s not worth the effects. lung-smoking and requires approximately 3 While the risks from long term cannabis times the material for the same level of effect, While some users turn to ingesting smoking are not fully understood, it is but for some people efficiency is not an issue. cannabis orally, eating cannabis has some assumed by most health professionals that downsides which make it unattractive as a Many potent varieties of cannabis flowers inhaling smoke into the lungs over long replacement for smoking such as dif ficulty available around the world in the 1990s and periods of time carries increased risks of lung setting dosage, reduced “high”, increased 2000s are so strong that a single lung hit is problems. For people with very sensitive sedation, and dramatically increased duration. too much for many people. Using a less lungs and those who are using cannabis as part of a treatment for serious disease, One solution to these problems (Zam smoking cannabis can be difficult and hard 1997, 2001) is to avoid using the lungs to on the body. extract the cannabinoids from the smoke. Mouth-smoking has amusing Using a technique called “mouth-smoking” implications for President Clinton’s Acute effects can include wheezing, or “puffing” commonly used for tobacco comment: “I didn’t inhale”. coughing, difficulty breathing, and increased cigars, the smoker uses a pipe or joint (not a mucus production leading to more coughing. bong or vaporizer) and pulls smoke into the Medium term effects can include decreased mouth, holding it there for 30-60 seconds, and efficient method can be a practical way to lung capacity for exercise, increased then blows it out through the mouth or nose. better titrate dosage. W ith high potency respiratory and throat infections, and chronic The lungs are not used, but instead one sucks cannabis, a single mouth hit is enough for coughs. Many people (especially asthmatics) on the pipe as if drinking through a straw. most people to feel effects. With low potency cannabis, several mouth hits may be required to reach threshold effects. New Books Pipes and joints reportedly work best for mouth-smoking. While bongs and vaporizers Ecstasy: the Complete Guide, Julie Holland, MD, Editor can make lung-smoking less problematic, even A comprehensive look at the risks and benefits of MDMA. (Inner Traditions) a good vaporizer can cause unpleasant lung 1 problems in many people. Most water pipes Psychoactive Sacramentals, Thomas B. Roberts, Editor and vaporizers don’t work well for mouth- 2 Essays on Entheogens and Religion. (Council on Spiritual Practices) smoking because it’s difficult to pull the required volume with the mouth alone, so Shamanic Snuffs or Entheogenic Errhines, by Jonathan Ott many mouthfuls are needed to achieve effects. Covers three classes of indigenous snuff plants. (Entheobotanica) 3 Blowing out through the nose is one way Transfigurations, by Alex Grey to increase efficiency of mouth-smoking, but A new book of Alex Grey artwork. (Inner Traditions) it can also irritate the sinuses and nasal 4 mucosa. Cannabis users who are extremely Psychopharmacology of Herbal Medicine, by Marcello Spinella sensitive report that blowing out the nose can Plants that alter mind, brain, and behavior. (MIT Press) trigger irritating allergic feelings and 5 discomfort. Drawing in Out: Befriending the Unconscious , by Sherana Hariette Francis Many users are incredulous that cannabis Drawings done by the author during a course of LSD psychotherapy. (MAPS) 6 can be smoked without ever pulling into the lungs. Cannabis users with high tolerance Psychedelic Trips for the Mind, Paul Krassner, Editor report that it can be hard to get their desired Anecdotes of the 60s, mostly related to LSD. (High Times/Last Gasp) 7 effects levels with mouth smoking, but higher Entheos : Journal of Psychedelic Spirituality, Mark Hoffman, Editor potency materials (extract, oil, hash, kief, etc) Premiere Issue. (Entheomedia) can be used where necessary to achieve 8 therapeutically useful levels. Some users also Intoxicating Minds: How Drugs Work, by Leslie Iverson report difficulty remembering not to inhale Overview of how psychoactive drugs work in the brain. (Columbia Univ. Press) the smoke. As the effects increase, vigilance 9 wanes and lapses in technique are common. Trout’s Notes on the Cultivation and Propagation of Cacti, by K. Trout With practice, smokers report that they are Growing tips from the expert. (Better Days) able to avoid inhaling smoke and can achieve 10 adequate effects without the need to involve The Other Side of Haight, by James Fadiman their lungs. • 11 Novel about a ‘60s Haight-Ashbury commune. (Celestial Arts)

22 Erowid Extracts Vol. 1, No. 2 / December 2001 THE DISTILLATION

Along with the daily maintenance and upkeep of the site, we are Submissions always working on a number of interesting projects. Here is a list of We welcome contributions of many types of information. It’ s some of the lar ger of these projects. Erowid is seeking tar geted helpful to have others watching for information which is missing donations to support this work. from our archives, especially articles we have permission to reproduce. Below are a few specific sections we are seeking to EcstasyData.org expand. Submissions can be sent to [email protected]. In July, Erowid took on a new project with the management of Guiding & Sitting - A number of writers and therapists including EcstasyData.org. Launched out of DanceSafe’s ecstasy pill testing Ann & Alexander Shulgin, Myron Stolarof f, Stanislav Grof, Joan program, the project has been moved to an independent website and Halifax, and Ralph Metzner have laid a foundation of is co-sponsored by Erowid, DanceSafe, MAPS, and the Promind recommendations about guided journeying and the handling of Foundation. difficult experiences (i.e. “bad trips”). W e would like to continue Erowid will maintain the website, interface with the lab, add new building a collection of information useful for those who find features, and manage incoming data as people submit ecstasy tablets themselves helping someone else through an experience whether for testing. In addition, we are looking to expand the project by positive or negative. We look forward to comments and suggestions. offering space for the display of results collected by other testing http://www.erowid.org/psychoactives/guides/ programs. Organizations interested in displaying their results at EcstasyData.org should contact [email protected]. Humor Vaults - We are in the process of building our archive of http://www.ecstasydata.org/ jokes, political cartoons, parodies and other forms of humor related to psychoactive drugs, the drug war, politics, personal liberty, privacy, Families & Psychoactives or other topics covered by Erowid. There are few topics that touch nerves and set people off like the http://www.erowid.org/psychoactives/humor/ topic of kids and drugs. The issue simmers deep within the American Sex & Psychoactives - We are also working on collecting articles, psyche and forms one of the pillar stones of the W ar on Drugs. experience reports, and links on topics related to sex and Nobody wants their child to be hurt by drug use, but the subject is so psychoactives. This includes Aphrodisiacs; Negative Effects of Drugs taboo that people who teach their kids about safer drug use, or who— on Desire; Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault; and the use of Sex Drugs heaven forbid—help their child have a positive first experience, are or Medications such as Viagra, Nitrites, GHB, etc. often viewed as criminally irresponsible. http://www.erowid.org/psychoactives/sex/ We are working to develop a section which discusses a wide array of issues related to families and drug use: Families Who Value Book Reviews - Extracts readers are invited to contribute quality Psychedelics; Mentoring and Rites of Passage; Coming out of the book reviews to Erowid, especially for books which already have a Psychedelic Closet (kids to parents or parents to kids); Families with listing in our library/bookstore. Drug Problems; When Dialogue Breaks Down; Pregnancy, Birth and http://www.erowid.org/library/books/ Breast-feeding; Drug Education; and other stories of how drugs or • the discussion of drugs have impacted families. Experience reports and other writings on this topic are welcome— Site Statistics please submit them to the Experience Reports section of the site. If the topic of families and drugs is of particular interest to you and Content Pages: 13,357 Daily Visitors: 19,400 you would like to make a contribution to Erowid earmarked for the Archived Images: 2,803 Daily Page Hits: 238,850 development of this vault, please contact us at [email protected]. Members: 504 Daily File Hits: 919,222

Hofmann Article Database Avg Daily Avg Daily Avg Daily Working with MAPS and the Albert Hofmann Foundation, we File Hits Page Hits Visitors are in the midst of creating a sortable, searchable online bibliography of thousands of LSD- and psilocybin- related references. There are Oct 2001 919,222 238,850 19,400 some very interesting articles in the collection going back as early as Sep 2001 784,000 198,767 16,900 1949. At this point, entries are being verified by hand against a Aug 2001 786,000 197,382 16,900 paper version of Albert Hofmann’s original collection. Jul 2001 844,000 203,811 16,700 Jun 2001 786,000 207,843 16,400 MDMA Article Database May 2001 830,000 215,848 17,200 Over the summer we succeeded in getting this project fully up to 2000 462,000 126,000 12,000 speed. Systems are now in place to keep it up-to-date and new 1999 135,800 37,000 4,100 references are being added as they are published. 1998 31,200 8,500 1,000 http://www.erowid.org/mdma/articles/ 1997 7,000 2,100 300 1996 1,000 316 60

Erowid Extracts Vol. 1, No. 2 / December 2001 23 VERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIM VERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIM VERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIM VERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBVERBVERBAAATIMTIMTIM VERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIM “If we could read the secret history “The price one pays for pursuing of our enemies, we should find in “The ‘just say no’ campaign at this any profession, or calling, is an each man’s life sorrow and point is a lot like drawing sea- intimate knowledge of its ugly suffering enough to disarm all monsters over certain unexplored side.” hostility.” areas of the map and expecting — James Baldwin (1924-1987) — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, people to stay away. It may work for poet (1807-1882) some, but explorers live for this kind “To me the philosophy of the of thing.” (Paraphrased) twenty-first century...is the “Mankind must put an end to war — Terence McKenna (1946-2000) philosophy of information.” or war will put an end to mankind.” — Timothy Leary (1920-1996) — John F. Kennedy (1917-1963), “In nature there are neither rewards U.N. address Sept 25, 1961 nor punishments; there are “I’ve read all the philosophies, consequences.” listened to all the gurus, taken all “A more glorious victory cannot be — Robert Green Ingersoll (1833-1899) the drugs and this is what I know gained over another man than this, lawyer and orator about death —— Nothing.” that when the injury began on his — Elizabeth Gips (1922-2001) part, the kindness should begin on The mouth of a perfectly happy man ours.” is filled with beer. “Knowledge is of two kinds. We — John Tillotson (1630-1694) — Egyptian saying (circa 2200 BC) know a subject ourselves, or we Arch Bishop of Canterbury know where we can find information upon it.” “They that can give up essential — Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) liberty to obtain a little temporary Abusus non tollit usum safety deserve neither liberty nor “I don’t take drugs, I am drugs.” safety.” [Abuse is no argument against proper use.] — Salvador Dali (1904-1989) — Benjamin Franklin, 1759 — Latin Proverb

“Democracy is sustained not by “Not all chemicals are bad. Without public trust but by public chemicals such as hydrogen and scepticism. Unless we are oxygen, for example, there would prepared to question, to expose, “What is your relationship to the be no way to make water, a vital to challenge and to dissent, we mystery? Are you defending yourself ingredient in beer.” conspire in the demise of the from it? Are you making love to it? — Dave Barry (1947- ) system for which our governments Are you living in it?” are supposed to be fighting.” — Ram Dass (1933- ) "You can't blame the President for — George Monbiot, Oct 16, 2001 the state of the country, it's always A Persian philosopher, being asked the poets' fault. You can't expect “Education is the transmission of by what method he had acquired so politicians to come up with a civilization.” much knowledge, answered, “By not vision, they don't have it in them. being prevented by shame from Poets have to come up with the — Ariel and Will Durant, Historians asking questions where I was vision and they have to turn it on ignorant.” so it sparks and catches hold." “We have to get away from the — Apocryphal — Ken Kesey (1935-2001) ethos that knowledge is good, knowledge should be publicly “Because it is sometimes so available, that information will “The contradiction so puzzling to the ordinary way of thinking comes from unbelievable, the truth escapes liberate us, [...] Information will kill becoming known.” us in the techno-terrorist age.” the fact that we have to use language to communicate our inner experience — Heraclitus (535-475 BC) — Arthur Caplan, 2001 Univ of Pennsylvania bioethicist which in its very nature transcends about the publication of anthrax linguistics.” After ecstasy, the laundry. information — Daisetsu Teitaro Suzuki (1870-1966) — Zen statement

24 Erowid Extracts Vol. 1, No. 2 / December 2001