Erowid Extracts D o c u m e n t i n g t h e C o m p l e x R elationship B e t w e e n H u m a n s a n d P sychoactives

June 2009 Number 16

“To achieve great things, two things are needed; a plan, and not quite enough time.” —Leonard Bernstein

Spice and Spin-Offs • Fundamentals of Responsible Psychoactive Use The Stolaroff Collection: A First Look • Salvia divinorum and Vaporizers Letters & Feedback

Thank you for the awesome site, the Thank you, from the bottom of my As a new member I was thrilled to find wonderful philosophy, and the great pulsating, four-chambered heart. Erowid Extracts as level, intelligent, work. I have to say that I’m not the and informative as the website I have — E.J.B. type of person to donate to much of come to rely on and enjoy so much Erowid Member anything, but you truly do things the over the last six years or so. I am right way and that should be supported. a firm believer that the pursuit and Will we ever be free? The availability communication of knowledge is the — J.S.N. of knowledge is our greatest defense most noble of human objectives, and Erowid Member against those who would take our that any knowledge contributes to the freedoms. Thank you. collective and individual wisdom that Thank you so much for all that you gives our lives purpose. — D.P. do. Last semester I started a graduate Erowid Member So good for you! I really respect and program in drug chemistry and I’ve admire your gutsy contribution to our found it all but impossible to find collective wisdom; you deserve to take unbiased information on the subject I think you guys are doing a wonderful great pleasure in the addition you make matter outside of your site. I can thing with Erowid, it’s been my bible to the growth, experience, comfort, and never repay your contribution to my for the past few years. I think people fun of others (even if they don’t know educational success. I’m the only should definitely have access to such it, like our angry friend in the Letters person in any of my classes represent- extensive, impartial information on the page!). It is impossible to do harm by ing a non-fascist orientation to these subject of psychoactives; I honestly sharing wisdom… topics. Thanks so much! believe you guys are doing the world a huge a favor. Keep up the good work! — ALEX LINEGAR — K.K. Email to Erowid Erowid Member — TONY CORTESE Email to Erowid Your work is incredible, an essential part of bringing knowledge to a field Think about how many young people’s Send correspondence to: that was once only populated with lives you have destroyed due to your [email protected] rumor and superstition—the most bold escapades. My son is in a mental dangerous places to make policy from. hospital tonight and I am sure it is not Please include your name, Thank you for everything you do. coincidental that he was on your site all title, and city/state/country of origin last night and into the morning. — M.V. to be published with your letter. Letters may be edited Erowid Member You will rot in hell of that I am sure for length and clarity. Your spirit is evil not pure I’m currently studying for a degree I despise you in medicinal chemistry, which I hope and vomit your entire being to eventually turn into a PhD in into the toilet of infinite chaos psychopharmacology. What do I want to do with that? I’d like to critique You will pay for your sins ERRATA medicines for their actions on so-called Not through any violence “mental illnesses”, and hopefully create But by bad karma In the November 2008 issue of Erowid better drugs. An alternative to that that will come home to roost Extracts, the article about Energy would be to develop better therapeutic Control erroneously gave the group’s tools to reduce the use of drugs that I have opened up a can founder’s name as Josep Roura; the are currently far over-prescribed in my of whoopas for you correct spelling is Josep Rovira (page opinion. I’m all for the recreational use And there is nothing for you to do 16). On the same page, the statement of drugs, but I prefer to use them as a Except wait for it to arrive “The ‘2C-B’ was usually 2C-B, but chance to improve myself and my ideas Not a threat sometimes it was LSD” should have of the world around me rather than just Just the truth read “The ‘2C-B’ was usually 2C-B, but “getting high”. I’d like to take the time — R.M. sometimes it was MDMA.” Also, Madrid to say, you guys do an amazing job with should have been included among the Email to Erowid Erowid, and if it weren’t for the Internet governments that have given small and the vast amounts of knowledge grants to Energy Control (page 17). available to us these days in such an Erowid is an excellent informative and In the June 2008 issue, the date easily available format I’d probably be objective encyclopedia of psychoactives, of publication on the masthead was spending my time doing something and I support the continued operation inaccurately printed as “November amazingly boring, like accounting. of Erowid entirely. 2008” (page 1), and the title of the — PHILIP LAWSON — D.R. article “In Memoriam” was misspelled Email to Erowid Erowid Member “In Memorium” (pages 1 & 21). Ouch.

) Erowid Extracts — Number 16 / June 2009 Erowid Extracts Table of Contents Number 16, June 2009

Letters & Feedback...... ) Founder, Editor in Chief Fire Erowid Recent News & Updates...... 2 Founder, Executive Editor Earth Erowid Managing Editor Sylvia Thyssen Possible Mephedrone Deaths...... 2 Managing Editor Jon Hanna New Dutch Mushroom Law...... 2 The Erowid Review Erik Davis Women’s Visionary Council...... 2 Ask Erowid: Salvia divinorum and Vaporizers...... 3 Crew A Trip into Psychedelic History: Through the Archive of M. Stolaroff.... 4 Bläk, JL, Psilo, Stu, Bo, Scruff

Fantastic: An Experience with Anadenanthera spp. Seeds...... 8 Associate Editor The Pleasures of Reading: Recommendations for the Drug Geek...... 10 Zachawry, rj, Scotto

Spice and Spin-Offs: Prohibition’s High-Tech Cannabis Substitutes..... 12 Report Reviewers & Triagers Spice Experience Report Excerpts...... 17 • Antheia, Kernel, sii, Mngrif • Wank, LotN, Prometheus, Tforceimaj, The Teafærie: Last Saturdays Club...... 18 Killfoot, Ratt, ScAb13, Ismic1, Sparrow, Human Hallucinogen Research: Guidelines for Safety...... 20 Mujo Lila, Keith, Peregrine, Icaros, Convergence, Atheist, Dreamstudy, Fundamentals of Responsible Psychoactive Use...... 21 Then, Lizard, Hazzy, Sugarmagnoliagirl, The Distillation...... 22 Aqua, Harmony, RevMeo. A Peek at the Erowid Offices...... 22 Erowid Extracts is the members’ newsletter of Erowid Center. It has been published twice a year since May 2001. If you are interested Erowid Center is a non-profit educational organization working to provide in receiving this newsletter or supporting Erowid Center’s educational mission, visit: free, reliable, and accurate information about psychoactive plants, chemicals, practices, and technologies. http://erowid.org/donations/

The information on the site is a compilation of the experiences, words, and Past issues can be read online at: efforts of thousands of individuals including educators, researchers, doctors and other health professionals, therapists, chemists, parents, lawyers, and others http://erowid.org/extracts/ who choose to use psychoactives. Erowid acts as a publisher of new information and as a library archiving documents published elsewhere. The collection spans the spectrum from solid peer-reviewed research to creative writing and fiction. Erowid Center P.O. Box 1116 Subscriptions: To become a member and subscribe to Erowid Extracts, visit: Grass Valley, CA 95945 http://erowid.org/membership/ http://www.erowid.org [email protected] Change of Address: To update your mailing address, use the form at: https://erowid.org/donations/donations_update_address.php ISSN 1548-8071 Cancellations: To cancel your subscription, contact: [email protected] © 2009 Erowid.org Erowid is a ® Registered Trademark Reprints: To request permission to reproduce an article or image from this All rights reserved newsletter, contact: [email protected]

Advertising: Erowid Extracts does not accept advertisements, but if you would like to include a flier about a related organization or event in our mailings, contact: [email protected] Know Your Body Cover Image Credits: 1) Spice Package—Earth Erowid; 2) Anadenanthera colubrina seed—Earth Erowid; 3) Myron Stolaroff—The Stolaroff Collection; Know Your Mind 4) Spice Material—Earth Erowid; 5) S. divinorum Leaf and Heat Gun—Fire Erowid; Know Your Substance 6) Erowid HQ Library—Fire Erowid; 7) Letter Detail—The Stolaroff Collection Know Your Source

Erowid Extracts — Number 16 / June 2009 Recent News & Updates

Possible Mephedrone Deaths New Dutch Mushroom Law Women’s Visionary Council At least two deaths in Scandinavia On December 1, 2008, new restrictions The Women’s Visionary Council have been speculatively linked to on psychoactive mushrooms were enacted (WVC), a new organization focused on “mephedrone” (4-methylmethcathinone) in the Netherlands. The list of regulated women and entheogens, has received in the last fourteen months. In April species appears to have been sourced IRS approval as a tax-exempt non-profit. 2008, 18-year-old Kenneth Nielson, from from a decade-old article, by psychoactive This status solidifies the vision of the Denmark, went into convulsions and mushroom experts Guzmán, Allen, and six-year-old Women’s Entheogen Fund, was taken to the hospital, after taking Gartz, which attempted to list all species and represents a big step in its work an unknown substance. After a week that contain psilocybin or psilocin.1 promoting discourse on and research into in a coma, he died. Police originally In their article, Guzmán et al. nonordinary states of consciousness. The believed Nielsen’s death was the result of speculatively included species that are scope of the WVC’s charitable mission a methamphetamine overdose, but began now known to be inactive. In addition, includes the preservation of culture to suspect 4-methylmethcathinone may over a dozen known psychoactive species and knowledge about entheogenic have been involved after learning that he were not named, in some cases because substances, educational efforts toward a had been in possession of the chemical. they had not yet been discovered. This more sensible societal relationship with Toxicology reports were inconclusive. means that Dutch mushroom growers entheogens, and research into protocols In December 2008, an 18-year-old could be prosecuted for cultivating certain and practices that harness the power Swedish woman reportedly under the inactive species, while other psychoactive of visionary states. The organization’s effects of cannabis (hash) and 4-methyl- species remain legal. According to the focus on women working in related fields methcathinone began to convulse, lost Dutch department of public health, addresses a niche that has previously consciousness, and stopped breathing. grow-kits, sclerotia, and spores are not received little attention. Annie Harrison, The media reported cardiopulmonary illegal, and the minister of health has no Carolyn (Mountain Girl) Garcia, and and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation were plans to legislate against such products. Mariavittoria Mangini are its founding initiated until she could be transported by In one curious twist to the regulations, board members. ambulance to the hospital, where she died while Psilocybe cyanescens are illegal The second annual Women’s two days later. Toxicology results have not to possess, they are also a protected Visionary Congress, hosted by the WVC, been publicly released. species, which means that they are illegal was held at Wilbur Hot Springs, CA, in 4-methylmethcathinone is similar in to remove from a property if they are October 2008. Its theme, “Descending structure to cathinone (found in the Catha growing wild. Another strange facet of the Mountaintop: Visionary Insight in edulis plant) and methcathinone, both the new law is that it includes Amanita Action”, reflects the organization’s Schedule I chemicals in the United States. muscaria and A. pantherina mushrooms, founding ideals. Speakers included Its effects have been likened to cocaine, but does not restrict their active chemicals. Allyson Grey, Cindy Palmer, Val MDMA, and amphetamines, and it can This is one of the few examples in the Corral, Annie Mithoefer, and many elicit compulsive redosing in some users. world of legislation where a psychoactive others. A third Congress is scheduled In the United Kingdom, mephedrone is legal as an extract or pure compound, to take place at Black Oak Ranch in and two related chemicals (methylone and but illegal in its natural form. Laytonville, California, October 2–4, butylone) have been sold as “plant food” Dried mushrooms are now considered 2009. Information about the conferences in head shops and online, sometimes with “hard drugs” and possession of more can be found at VisionaryCongress.org. the ingredients listed simply as “ketones”. than 0.5 grams can be prosecuted; fresh Approval as a 501(c)(3) non-profit A variety of novel research chemicals mushrooms are now considered “soft organization permits donors to make with a short history of use and little drugs” and possession of more than 5 tax-deductible contributions, and lends information about their potential adverse grams can be prosecuted. • institutional weight to the founders’ effects will continue to be available to vision. The Women’s Visionary Council the public for the foreseeable future. Erowid.org/mushrooms/law invites those who value its mission to Hopefully, drug education efforts can donate financially, or simply to take time focus on measures to improve safety and 1. Guzmán G, Allen JW, and Gartz J. 1998/2000. to honor and acknowledge the important protect users. “A Worldwide Geographical Distribution contributions of contemporary women • of the Neurotropic Fungi, Analysis and Discussion”. Annali del Museo Civico di working in the field of entheogens and Erowid.org/4_methylmethcathinone/ Rovereto 14:189–280. visionary states of consciousness. •

2 Erowid Extracts ­— Number 16 / June 2009 Ask Erowid by The Erowid Crew

Do vaporizers work with might be the result of pyrolytic when Salvia divinorum? One friend decomposition rather than the selecting Q of mine swears that they are actual boiling of salvinorin A. To and measuring doses. effective, and another friend says that vaporize salvinorin A, it need only And, Siebert cautions they don’t work at all. be heated to just past its melting that inhaling hot air can be point, and with sufficient airflow, irritating and potentially it will completely vaporize with damaging to the lungs. 5 Numerous vaporizers, designed no significant decomposition. Vapor produced by a heat to minimize smoke inhalation Based on my own experiments gun needs to be cooled by A and health risks, have been using an adjustable thermocouple- running it through a water marketed in recent years. Models include controlled heat gun, I found that pipe or cooling chamber the electric Volcano and Easy-Vap, as the ideal airstream temperature for before inhalation. well as the flame-powered VaporGenie. vaporizing salvinorin A from dried The failure of most commercial Detailed analysis of cannabis vapor leaves is approximately 277° C.5 cannabis vaporizers to successfully produced by the Volcano confirmed that it vaporize salvinorin A was described vaporizes cannabinoids while generating Unfortunately, 277° C is well to Erowid as a challenge by one lab significantly fewer toxins than burning. 1 beyond the maximum temperature of considering human research into the Vaporizers are able to release THC the VaporGenie’s advertised range of effects of Salvia divinorum. After looking from cannabis without creating smoke 107–190° C (225–375° F), 6 and also above into this issue, it appears that this challenge because the boiling point of THC— the Volcano’s advertised maximum of could be overcome by using a variable about 200° C (392° F)—is significantly 230° C (446°F). 7 The Volcano runs hotter temperature heat gun, although additional than some other electronic testing would be required to show that The commercial vaporizers most vaporizers, such as the temperatures are consistent enough for effective with Salvia divinorum Easy-Vap, which advertises research purposes. • a maximum temperature of are those that employ a variable only 204° C (400°F). References temperature heat gun… Nevertheless, a small 1. Chemic Laboratories, Inc. “Evaluation informal poll of vaporizer of Volcano® Vaporizer for the Efficient lower than the combustion temperature users indicates that the Volcano is able Emission of THC, CBD, CBN and the 2 Significant Reduction and/or Elimination of the plant material. However, the to at least partially vaporize salvinorin of Polynuclear-Aromatic (PNA) Analytes melting point of salvinorin A, the A, with most users achieving effects Resultant of Pyrolysis”. Apr 2003. principal psychoactive chemical in Salvia by setting the unit to its maximum 2. O’Neil MJ, Heckelman PE, Koch CB, et divinorum, is significantly higher at temperature. It may be that the actual al. The Merck Index: 14th Edition. Merck 238–244° C (460–464° F). 3,4 According maximum temperature exceeds what the & Co. 2006. to S. divinorum expert Daniel Siebert, manufacturer advertises. 3. Ortega A, Blount JF, Manchand PD. “Salvinorin, A New trans-Neoclerodane the boiling temperature has not yet been The commercial vaporizers most Diterpene from Salvia divinorum (Labiatae)”. conclusively determined. He notes: effective with Salvia divinorum are those J Chem Soc Perkin Trans I. 1982; 2505–8. that employ a variable temperature heat 4. Valdes LJ III, Hatfield GM, Paul AG, et al. When this compound is heated gun as the heat source. One example is “Divinorin A, a Psychotropic Terpenoid, beyond its melting point, it gradually the Steinel HG 3002, which has an LCD and Divinorin B from the Hallucinogenic Mexican Mint, Salvia divinorum”. J Org evaporates. The rate of evaporation temperature control adjustable in 10° F Chem. 1984;49:4716. increases with temperature. It can increments (120–1100 °F). Such heat 5. Siebert DJ. Personal communication. 2009. evaporate quickly and completely guns allow the appropriate vaporization 6. VaporGenie.com. “How does the without ever actually boiling—a temperature for salvinorin A to be VaporGenie Provide Vaporization?” process known as sublimation. selected. Accessed Apr 22, 2009; VaporGenie.com. When rapidly heated at high tem- Two important safety notes: 7. TheVolcanoVaporizer.com. “Volcano peratures, bubbling does occur, but Because it can be easier to obtain Classic Vaporizer vs. Volcano Digit Vaporizer”. Accessed Apr 22, the compound quickly discolors, strong effects when vaporizing instead 2009; TheVolcanoVaporizer.com/ turning brown. This bubbling of burning, extra care must be taken compare‑digital‑classic.php.

Erowid Extracts — Number 16 / June 2009 3 A TRIP INTO PSYCHEDELIC HISTORY through the archive of Myron Stolaroff

by Jon Hanna

Stolaroff. While the Shulgins said it had colleagues all saved and filed (including been only a few years for them, it had been quite a number of missives between others twelve years since I’d last made my way that had been forwarded to him), but there to the incredibly surreal landscape near were also carbon copies of what he had MARCH 2009, LAFAYETTE TO the Alabama Hills of California where written to others tucked in beside these. LONE PINE — During the eight-hour the Stolaroffs live. Comprised of ninety- He even went so far as to print out his sent drive, radio selections eventually trickled million-year-old rounded granite boulders and received emails! Communications to a “choice” between Spanish accordion and red-orange volcanic rock, the Alabama regarding psychedelics stretched back stylings and the rantings of born-again Hills look like ancient entities guarding as far as the late 1950s. A bounty of preachers. Unfortunately, I had not an otherwise deserted landscape. Spring correspondence relates the inner workings brought any music cassette tapes with wildflowers were just starting to bloom. of Myron’s International Foundation for me. Fortunately, Sasha Shulgin rode Nearby, a drying-up lakebed glowed with a Advanced Study (IFAS) in Menlo Park, shotgun, regaling me with chemical white band of salt. Snow-capped mountains where, in the early 1960s, carbogen, LSD, musings, rattling off countries’ names in loomed surprisingly close, topping off an and mescaline were given to hundreds alphabetical order (when possible) from environment of mystical extremes. of subjects, and studies into the effect of north to south, and cracking wise. Next Tania and I have wanted to interview psychedelics on creative problem solving time I’ll know to read The Merck Index, the Stolaroffs and the Shulgins together on showed great promise. an atlas, and a few joke books before video for a while now. But this trip, and One of the first boxes of materials we depart in order to keep up. Earth our oversized vehicles, also had another that we began to read through was a recently commented to me—and I agree purpose: to collect for scanning—and series of letters between Myron and his it is quite true—that a key part of Sasha’s eventual publishing through Erowid— main compatriot in the IFAS project: Myron’s vast archive the mysterious and controversial Al of letters, writings, and Hubbard. Considered by many to be the We were off to spend time with ephemera related to his “Johnny Appleseed of LSD”, Hubbard a couple of psychedelic pioneers: research into the effects was infamous for jet-setting around the Myron and Jean Stolaroff. of psychoactive drugs on world to introduce people to LSD, and human consciousness. As known for his promotion of carbogen personality, missed out on by people who we sorted through the papers housed in a as a pre-psychedelic “fitness test”. The have never met him, is his sense of humor. dilapidated outbuilding (photo at right), communications between Myron and Al, Those looking for a quick lesson are a Tania and I felt like kids in a candy store. as well as their letters to others working mere thumb-pull away. Traveling with While flipping through the documents with psychedelics, present a chronology of Sasha is a hoot. was a trip down memory lane for the initial enthusiasm, struggles for legitimacy, Two vans transported Sasha and Ann, Shulgins, for us younger folks, it was and eventual disappointments. their assistant Tania, a long-time friend, history coming alive. me, and coolers full of wine and food. An engineer by training, Myron was Questions… We were off to spend time with a couple a fastidious record keeper. Not only were Surprisingly, even early on, concerns of psychedelic pioneers: Myron and Jean the letters he had received from research about the purity of their chemicals surfaced:

4 Erowid Extracts ­— Number 16 / June 2009 “We are now using some of the most recent accomplish anything, as I am were concerned that it may have been stuff that we last received. When you open convinced that you will go ahead responsible for an exaggerated number the ampoules, a white precipitate forms, and proceed with your program of bad trips that had been reported since which makes it very difficult to extract regardless of what anyone else it appeared on the market. Regarding this with a syringe. I hope there is nothing thinks. material, Hubbard remarks in a June 17, wrong with the material” [Myron to Al and 1963 letter to Osmond: I already told you when I saw you Rita Hubbard, October 10, 1961]. that I thought the moves you were …we knew that the black market contemplating with IFIF are insane, material was indeed questionable, …and Conflicts and would wreak tremendous havoc and [Alan] Watts was using it and Over time, conflicts between assorted on all of us doing LSD work all over giving it to others. Now in my personalities in the scene began to the nation. Now after a few days of opinion he is no more worthy of appear in communications: “[Michael reviewing the data in my own mind, consideration than anyone else. Hollingshead] is thoroughly dishonest, and weighing out the and a most convincing liar” [Al Hubbard relative consequences of to Humphry Osmond, February 19, 1963]. various moves, I wonder Over time, conflicts between assorted Differences in approach are high- how you ever got any personalities in the scene began to lighted in a February 28, 1963 letter, data anywhere that would appear in communications… wherein Myron thanks Timothy Leary for indicate any possibility of his hospitality during a visit, and for the success? use of Dick Alpert’s “excellent bed,” before castigating Leary for the approach that he The letter continues in a similar vein. Black Market LSD Prices planned to take with his International In just over two months from the time A later letter, from Hubbard to Albert Federation for Internal Freedom (IFIF). Myron wrote those words, Leary was Hofmann, informs LSD’s inventor of the Many have, in retrospect, bemoaned fired from Harvard for failing to keep his diversion of some Sandoz material that had that Leary’s actions brought an end to classroom appointments. Later, a June 6, been sent to the researcher John Beresford. the above-ground study of psychedelics. 1963 letter from Humphry Osmond to Al A portion of the 20 grams of acid that Myron’s comments, however, hit this Hubbard remarks: Beresford purchased was later sold into target before scandal erupted at Harvard: the black market at a price of $70,000 per My concern that you [should] gram. Around that time, IFAS was paying Having had a chance to more inform Leary is to ensure that he $5 each for ampoules containing 0.1 mg carefully gather my thoughts…I gets every opportunity not to use in 1 ml of solution (or $50,000 per gram). thought it best to dash them off his dud LSD25. I doubt whether Eventually, IFAS itself began looking to you, so as to leave no doubt he will take any notice of you or for sources of LSD other than Sandoz whatever as to my position. Not me, but he must have the chance & to supply its ongoing research efforts. that I have any ideas that this will those around him may at least hear, Hubbard first turned to the Spacet & someone might avoid a nasty Corporation in Italy. But after investors accident. By telling him[,] it will put up $350,000 for an LSD purchase be clear that you have given him from Spacet, an IFAS chemist determined every chance to stop. This might in 1964 that the material was “not LSD be important at a later date. Aldous nor anything like LSD.” Later, Hubbard [Huxley] tells me that he has passed sourced pure LSD from Chemapol in on the content of my letter. (to Tim Czechoslovakia, placing a $2,300 order for Leary) He is going to inform anyone 5,000 ampoules; in the process, he secured he comes across to steer clear. an appointment for himself as Chemapol’s The result of some of these dud representative in Canada. substances used by inept people can be so serious that even if only one Hubbard Jumps Ship such misfortune is avoided it will In February of 1965, Al Hubbard be worthwhile. Leary’s mail order submitted his resignation from his position drug scene suggests the very poorest as consultant to IFAS—largely due to judgement & can only do harm. personality conflicts with IFAS’s medical The “dud” LSD to which Osmond doctor, Charles Savage. Hubbard left refers was an early underground the organization owing Myron nearly preparation that was heavily diluted, $100,000 (after Myron had already strangely green in color, and of unknown contributed over $200,000 toward purity. Osmond, Hubbard, and others Hubbard’s work with LSD). Al owed

Erowid Extracts — Number 16 / June 2009 5 others additional money as well. As time If you are wondering passed, bank notices to Myron about why in the world I would Al’s outstanding debts started to trickle assume your rightful in, asking for help in obtaining the funds debt, the answer comes from Hubbard. in recognizing the depth Although he had left IFAS, Hubbard of repugnance I feel for continued to work in the field, keeping up having been so utterly a correspondence with Myron and other gullible, and having notable individuals. Also in Myron’s been a party to some of collection of papers is a January 20, 1967 the awful abominations letter from Hubbard to Governor Ronald that were perpetuated Reagan, thanking Reagan for inviting him on other people. I hope and completely changed the course of my to a ball where they spent time together to leave this plane with a clear life.” Myron’s fond feelings about Al are and briefly touching on the topic of the conscience. a reminder that even after friends have a illegal drug trade, opining that students Al Hubbard died in August of 1982. serious falling out, they may still recall the who are dealing dope can certainly afford At dinner one night during our visit good parts of their relationship as well. to pay their university fees. to the Stolaroffs, Sasha revealed that As the 1960s drew to a close, legal he had actually hesitated in getting to restrictions worldwide put an end to A Varied Collection know Myron at first, because of Myron’s Along with some handwritten notes research involving scheduled psychedelics. association with Hubbard, whom Sasha detailing how much money the IFAS spent Eventually realizing that Hubbard had distrusted from the start. Yet even though on what quantity of which psychedelics, no intention of repaying what he owed, Myron described Al as “an expert in a few choice photographs were scattered Myron assumed an $83,000 debt that discerning one’s weaknesses, and playing among the letters and postcards: a handsome Hubbard had borrowed from their mutual upon them to advantage,” and despite young Myron in a white shirt (below left), friend and project investor, Bob Morris. the harsh words quoted above, Myron a shot of Myron and Al Hubbard mowing In doing so, Myron cut his ties with Al. clearly also remembered Al fondly. He a lawn (below center), and some pictures In a final letter, dated December 3, 1975, has remarked that, “Hubbard made a with Al’s wife Rita (above right). Myron writes: deeper impression on me than anyone I had ever met. It was an impression t h a t r a d i c a l l y altered my whole value-belief system,

6 Erowid Extracts ­— Number 16 / June 2009 assorted magazines (The distant future. The trip back home seemed Psychedelic Review, IONS to go a bit faster, despite stopping at the Noetic Sciences Review, Andersen’s Split Pea Soup restaurant for The Entheogen Review, to a bite to eat. name a few), numerous A few days later at my house, books, and a box with Earth and Fire joined Tania and me reel-to-reel cans filled—at to rough-sort the documents from the least in some cases— Stolaroff Collection, filling 14 plastic file with recordings made boxes. Four additional file boxes were during IFAS clients’ filled, marked for return to Myron and psychedelic experiences. Jean after determining that the materials One exciting find was were either duplicates or not of interest. a couple of boxes Erowid’s shipping goddess, Bläk, then that used to contain prepared a small “first batch” of items ampoules of Sandoz for scanning by placing the letters into Delysid LSD (below chronological order, tagging each with a left). A more bulky unique identifying number, and creating a artifact was Myron’s old carbogen tank; catalog of short descriptions for each item. One file folder in Myron’s collection only a trickle of gas remained (below There is an immense amount of work contained nothing but newspaper clippings right). We came across several drafts left to do, to catalog, scan, and archive the from June of 1962 describing a lawsuit of an unpublished fictional manuscript Stolaroff Collection. Erowid is seeking instigated by a 52-year-old man, Don titled To Foil Armageddon McCullum, against his church pastor, Rev. that Myron wrote under the pseudonym Rudyard There’s an immense amount of work left Ray C. Jarman, and Myron. At the pastor’s to do, to catalog, scan, and archive the suggestion, Myron had administered LSD Abrams. And, Sasha got Stolaroff Collection. to McCullum to treat him for emotional a laugh out of a condom disturbances that he had been complaining slingshot stuffed in among about. After taking LSD, McCullum the papers. targeted donations to support this project first became suicidal and then became Leafing through Myron’s files, so that we can make this fascinating slice litigious, slapping Jarman and Stolaroff moving from the 1960s into the 1990s, I of psychedelic history available to the with a $500,000 lawsuit. Unfortunately, was tickled to see some of the first letters public. If you would like to help, please none of the clippings detailed how the that I had ever written to him. As I came see Erowid.org/donations/stolaroff. As the suit turned out in the end—though perhaps across these and more recent missives project continues, we will publish updates we will find out more in the many reams from other Erowid editors and colleagues, in future issues of Erowid Extracts. • of documents that have yet to be perused my initial instinct was to dismiss them and scanned. as less important than the material from Myron’s collection includes a wide the 1960s. But then it occurred to me variety of materials: brochures, IRS filing that this contemporary correspondence information, organizational financial is also a part of psychedelic history. statements, book drafts, conference Some day, for someone, these letters catalogs, off-prints of IFAS articles (and could hold the same sort of intrigue that postcards requesting off-prints), the earlier materials hold for me. Years may pass, but the interest in psychedelics, as well as the interpersonal drama surrounding the shifting cast of characters, continues.

Bringing it Home Tania and I loaded my van full of boxes of papers, sad that the time had come to leave. We thanked Myron and Jean, wished them well, and expressed our hope to return for another visit in the not-too-

Erowid Extracts — Number 16 / June 2009 7 Fantastic by Lynskey An Experience with Anadenanthera spp. Seeds

After a good eight-year break I the inner material from the shell, not who’s really into crafts). Thinking that the suddenly got the itch to have a being too concerned if some of the inner powder would fall through, I made most psychedelic experience again. Not material was lost, as this was going to of the holes around the top of the gauze. being able to get anything nefarious, I be a trial run. I put the powder inside and then took a looked online to see what was available I didn’t have a mortar and pestle or toke whilst sitting at my computer desk. legally. I decided on yopo [see sidebar], coffee grinder, so I used the back of a It was a very small and nervous toke. I although I was very nervous about the teaspoon, which seemed to work okay. wrote down what I was feeling at the time. nose burn and vomiting. I received a I added enough edible lime to what Those writings I’ll put in parentheses. package of seeds and some edible lime looked to be a third of the yopo material. T +00.01 (definite legs heavy— (calcium hydroxide) in the morning I worked this together with the spoon. I heartbeat fast—slight momentary and decided to have a test-run in the then added a couple of drops of water pressure on chest) afternoon. I had eaten a bacon sandwich to the mix. This seemed to be too little, I remained sitting at my computer. and had a cup of coffee in the morning so I tried again and overdid it, leaving Something was definitely happening but and had no lunch, so I was pretty close it very wet indeed. I put to having fasted beforehand. the wet mixture back in the Looking down at the brown grey I read a lot of information online and bowl and microwaved it for found a report on Erowid from YopoYoyo thirty seconds. It looked powder, I had second thoughts about who claimed to never have any nausea. dry enough but to be sure I snorting it. Frankly, I completely I roughly followed his method. For my gave it another thirty. I then chickened out. first try I wanted to see if they worked, let the mixture sit for ten which was a bit stupid; of course they minutes, just to be sure it the effects were physical and mixed with work. I chose one of the smallest seeds was completely dry. my nervousness. in the packet. Instead of heating it on the The mixture was now completely T+00.02 (slight vision vibration— stove, I put it in a covered bowl in the dry so I took it upstairs into the small brighter colours) microwave for one minute. I presumed room where I have my computer and I was definitely feeling an effect. this to be enough, I couldn’t hear if the music instruments and prepared to I had slight vision distortion, a slight seed popped or not due to the noise from snort it. Looking down at the brown brightening of colours, a bit of body load the microwave. When I got it out the grey powder, I had second thoughts and an increased heart rate. I stuck on shell came off really easily. I separated about snorting it. Frankly, I completely some music and a visualisation program chickened out. I then (Milkdrop). Googled to see if you T+00.05 (decide to smoke rest— could smoke the fine Milkdrop ace—restlessness—much larger powder and decided to toke—ear burn—prickly face) get out my wooden pipe, I took another toke with more which hadn’t seen any confidence and immediately realised use in years. I reasoned how small my first one was. This one felt that, since this was a like at least twice as much. Blood rushed test dose, any possible to my face, making it seem prickly. The failure wouldn’t matter visual effects became more pronounced. too much. I couldn’t find any music I liked and didn’t I made a gauze like wearing headphones. I took them off [screen] from kitchen but kept the visualisations on. foil and found the T+00.06 (CEVs) smallest width pin I tried shutting my eyes and got I c o u l d f r o m m y some intense typical psychedelic effects. girlfriend’s collection I was very restless and was opening and

Anadenanthera colubrina Seed, Photo by Erowid (thank heavens for shutting windows on my PC, unable to having a girlfriend settle on doing anything. Very quickly

8 Erowid Extracts ­— Number 16 / June 2009 Yopo, or Not Yopo? my computer screen image was being eyes. I hadn’t shut my eyes for the repeated about six times in my peripheral intense part of my experience. To vision. These repetitions would be in my surprise I experienced intense Yopo is one of several ethnographic a constant state of motion and colour closed-eye visuals. These seemed names given to snuff made from change, and although intense, they were to be of a very different character Anadenanthera peregrina seeds. not threatening. than my prior ones, slower and Psychoactive chemicals that have been T+00.07 (added at T+00.30—forgot less colourful but far more defined found in yopo seeds include N,N-DMT I was writing this—full blown OEV) and detailed. I first saw six or so (DMT), 5-MeO-DMT, and 5-HO-DMT I quickly became lost in the visual undulating shapes that somehow (bufotenin); however, the amounts effects I was experiencing. I got a full had a human quality to them coming reported in different seed analyses open-eyed psychedelic lightshow. At no towards me. Then after opening my vary substantially, and all of these point, however, did the visuals turn into eyes and closing them again I saw chemicals are not always detected.1 objects or anything like that; it was purely a similar thing, except with a shape Anadenanthera colubrina is a a thriving mass of swirling patterns. I that seemed to be a cross between a closely related species known as forgot I was writing a report (and added banana and a Hula girl. It was very cebíl or vilca. The psychoactive later that this was the point when I became odd but very enjoyable. My mood effects of A. colubrina are sometimes, engrossed). I still had a good handle on was extremely good and I had a mistakenly, attributed to DMT. However, myself and what was going on. I could permanent grin. I felt very tired and most analyses of seeds have identified sense the real world beyond what I was very glad I was in bed. bufotenin to be the sole or primary 1,2,3 seeing if I needed to. I felt very euphoric T+01.00 (got up—still tired a active alkaloid. Seeds from and astonished that the effects were this bit—stomach very slightly bubbly— A. colubrina var. cebil have been found pronounced off of less than one small very jolly and happy) to contain up to 12.4% bufotenin along 4 seed. My train of thought was very much The closed-eyed visuals faded with N-methylserotonine, DMT, and still my own and mostly just concerned and I decided to get up. The DMT-N-oxide (detected in one batch of 2 with how incredible this all was. At some effects were rapidly declining. seeds). Analysis of snuff believed to point I left my computer and went to one My mood was still very good. I have been made from A. colubrina has 3 of my keyboards. I set it to a grand piano went downstairs for the first time shown the presence of 5-MeO-DMT, sound, laughing and seemingly unable since smoking the powder and had but so far 5-MeO-DMT has not been to do anything but play the same chord a cigarette outside. My limbs felt found via direct testing of seeds. over and over. heavy but not uncomfortably so. I Seeds for the two Anadenanthera T+00.12 was still getting lost in my train of species look virtually identical, and one I took a final toke and cleared what thought. I realised I had finished knowledgeable botanical vendor has was in the pipe as soon as I felt the effects my cigarette a few minutes prior stated that he believes seeds sold as begin to weaken. The experience then but I was still pacing up and down A. peregrina may often be A. colubrina came back to full intensity once more. outside, completely engrossed in instead. In addition, it is easy to T+00.20 (getting weaker—no nausea whatever I was thinking about. believe that end-users may confuse at all) Around this time was the only point the various common names associated The effects appeared to be fading, where the trip became meditative, I with Anadenanthera species when although they were still very strong. I was told myself a few home truths during writing experience reports. For these wondering a lot about if I was going to my wandering thoughts, but they reasons, the species of seeds used become nauseated, but other than a mild were semi-ironic jokes to myself in experience reports that identify the body load I felt fine. and mostly part of my euphoria. ingested substance only as “yopo” can T+00.30 (tired—yawned—seem to After a couple of hours the not be definitively determined. sink into my thoughts—stomach slightly effects were barely noticeable. I 1. Trout K. Some Simple Tryptamines, gassy) remained in a fantastic mood and second edition. 2007. The drug took on a more sedative found myself laughing a great deal. 2. Fish MS, et al. “Piptadenia Alkaloids. effect, which I noticed as I yawned, The experience was genuinely Indole Bases of P. peregrina (L.) Benth. something that seemed to surprise me at fantastic. I was hugely surprised and Related Species.” J Am Chem Soc. the time. My stomach bubbled a bit but with its intensity, how pleasurable 1955;77(22):5892–5. 3. Torres CM, Repke DB. “The Use of that was all. I seemed to lose myself in my it was and how I didn’t get any Anadenanthera colubrina var. Cebil by train of thought a few times and decided nausea­—or horrible plant matter and Wichi (Mataco) Shamans of the Chaco I should lie down. I went to my bed with pain stuck in my nose. I think I did Central, Argentina.” Yearbk Ethnomed my limbs feeling quite heavy as I walked. well reading so much about yopo Study Consc. 1996;5:41–58. T+00.31 (added later—nice CEVs— before I tried it, and I also think I 4. Torres CM, et al. “Snuff Powders from Pre-Hispanic San Pedro de Atacama: different—good mood) got a bit lucky deciding to smoke it Chemical and Contextual Analysis.” Curr I lay down in bed and shut my rather than snort it. • Anthropol. 1991;32(5):640–9.

Erowid Extracts — Number 16 / June 2009 9 The Pleasures of Reading Book Recommendations for the Drug Geek by Sylvia Thyssen

As for me, I am an inveterate pharmacophile, but would have to acknowledge that the habituation which most rules my life, is my lifelong addiction to books—reading them, writing them, even handling and smelling them! Some might rebel at this notion of ‘book addiction,’ but in fact one of the earliest uses of this word in English [in 1675], was “His own proper Industry and Addiction to Books,” and a century passed before addiction was used in reference to drugs—to tobacco, at first [vide: Oxford English Dictionary, page 26]. — Jonathan Ott, Pharmacophilia or the Natural Paradises

he proliferation of digital media drunk, or inhaled to created pleasures of in the last 15 years can sometimes the senses, as opposed to those foods and T make us forget that books form beverages consumed as necessities.” In the foundation of much of the knowledge Pharmacotheon, Jonathan Ott describes a about psychoactives that we take for number of words that we use in English to granted. Erowid is interested in learning refer to inebriating substances, and none of what top books other drug geeks would them fits quite the same delicious niche as recommend, whether as introductory “Genussmittel”, a term carrying a sensual texts, or picks covering a focused topic. connotation that includes consumables When it came time to highlight my one would not consider inebriants. favorite psychoactive-oriented titles, Unfortunately, unlike the extremely I decided to follow a simple pleasure well-indexed Pharmacotheon, Tastes of principle: I chose books that compel Paradise offends geek sensibilities with me to sit down, ignore the computer its lack of an index (although there is a and all the distractions that it brings, bibliography, at least). and immerse myself in the story that an Schivelbusch places the fruits of author has assembled. And while I do Tastes of Paradise: A Social History colonial conquest in the context of occasionally get frustrated that I can’t of Spices, Stimulants, and Intoxicants cultural history, delving into topics pick them up from the shelf and query by Wolfgang Schivelbusch (1993) such as the impact that the introduction them with a search term, the slower of coffee had on Europe. He describes cognitive pace that books demand The historical nugget. Originally tensions in the seventeenth century provides a much-needed respite from published in German in 1980, translated when coffee emerged as the ingestible the quicker, Internet-centric information into English in 1992, and then released embodiment of the Protestant ethic. At the processing that dominates my working in a 1993 American edition, Tastes of time, coffee was not universally accepted, hours. Paradise presents a great deal of historical and the manipulation of wakefulness that detail in an abundantly it allowed was regarded with suspicion by ( b l a c k & w h i t e ) many. In eighteenth-century Germany, a When it came time to highlight my favorite illustrated 239 pages. prohibition on coffee was temporarily psychoactive-oriented titles, I decided to Even before the first enacted in an attempt to curb the follow the simple pleasure principle… chapter, which begins consumption of an imported commodity with salt and pepper, and to help return domestically produced The following three books about the book’s translator reflects on the limits beer to its hallowed role. psychoactive drugs stand out for the and possibilities of language itself: in Tastes of Paradise offers refreshingly sheer joy of reading they give, as well as the original German, the book’s topic succinct social analyses of the roles that their insights into culture, politics, and is Genussmittel, “a group of substances spices, coffee, tea, chocolate, tobacco, pharmacology. for human consumption which are eaten, and alcohol have played in Western

10 Erowid Extracts ­— Number 16 / June 2009 culture, and complements longer works The silence wrought by the “Just legacy of vilifying some substances and that cover similar territory, such as Dale Say No” campaign must be replaced deifying others. In an exhaustive series Pendell’s Pharmako~ trilogy. by words, many, many words. And of well-referenced examples, the author these words must come not only updates the concept, discussing recent from police, doctors, sociolo- developments such as congressional gists, criminologists, and the usual hearings on tobacco and the troubling experts, but from gang members, state of the antidepressant industry. He drugs users, drug dealers, and explores how the reputation of a drug, underground manufacturers. as well as its effects, are often heavily

Yeah! Fourteen years after its pub- One common thread among these three lication, On Drugs titles is that they show there are no simple still feels fresh in its answers when it comes to psychoactives. call to move beyond divisive posturing and verbal constructions that quell dependent on contextual factors distinct discourse on one of the most significant from its pharmacological action. As in On questions we should be asking: how do Drugs, DeGrandpre assesses psychoactive drug-taking behaviors reflect and shape substances as verbal constructions, personal and societal consciousness? complete with their own mythologies, On Drugs An intellectually invigorating yet which he refers to as “placebo texts”. He by David Lenson (1995) down-to-earth pharmacography. proposes that knowledge or ignorance of the pharmacological action of a drug may Metadisciplinary mind candy. “I have even dictate how it is experienced by users undertaken this project precisely because and viewed by society. The medicalization I am unqualified to do so.” In possibly my of euphoriants is illustrated with historical favorite line in the entire book, Lenson, vignettes, such as the huge revenues a professor of comparative literature, generated from whiskey prescriptions describes in the Preface how nothing in written by physicians during alcohol his professional background qualifies him Prohibition. The unpacking of so many to write about drugs. Noting that the war fascinating stories about “drugs” in on drugs has codified types of allowable America is enough to recommend The discourse on psychoactives, he applies Cult of Pharmacology. his literary training to describing roughly seven genres into which writings on drugs One common thread among all fall, and exploring the conventions of three titles is that they show that there each. Then, in a series of essays seeking are no simple answers when it comes “that forbidden focus, the user’s point of to psychoactive substances. Knowledge view”, he invites the reader to transcend evolves as new data becomes available, these categories. The essays are potent, The Cult of Pharmacology: How and understanding changes as questions well referenced, and annotated. “What is America Became the Word’s Most and answers become more complex, often ‘Straight’ Consciousness?” and “Toward Troubled Drug Culture restricting the kinds of things we can truly a Diversity of Consciousness” are worth by Richard DeGrandpre (2006) claim to “know”. the cost of the book alone. The range of opinion on psychoactives Among many other topics, Lenson An informed journalistic tour. The is staggeringly diverse, and requires discusses the problems with medicalizing Cult of Pharmacology is a great companion critical examination of historical and the impulse to seek euphoria, and to Tastes of Paradise and On Drugs, scientific data. If you’re looking for how the rampant Consumerism (yes, in part because it also brings scientific additions to your bookshelf that match he capitalizes it) that requires that research to the table, thanks to the author’s the non-ideological, information-dense something perpetually be desired paves background in psychopharmacology. variety of the Erowid site itself, then I the way for the “spiritual illness” that The connection between morality and highly recommend Tastes of Paradise, On engenders addiction, as posited by psychoactive substances that appeared Drugs, and The Cult of Pharmacology. If Alcoholics Anonymous. My second during the Protestant Reformation, I had to compile an “informed drug-geek favorite sentence comes from the book’s discussed in Tastes of Paradise, reappears starter library”, they would be early concluding chapter: in DeGrandpre’s examination of America’s additions to the collection. •

Erowid Extracts — Number 16 / June 2009 11 Spice & Spin-Offs Prohibition’s High-Tech Cannabis Substitutes by Earth & Fire Erowid

A new generation of recreational Spice: The Template Though distributors characterize Spice psychoactives emerged in 2006, with When we first read about Spice as “incense” or an “aromatic potpourri”, the arrival of a smoking blend named in online forums in early 2007, we and the 2007 packaging describes it as “Spice”. The only ingredients listed on immediately suspected that this “herbal” “an exotic herbal blend” that “releases a the label of Spice, as well as the labels concoction might be something more rich fragrance when burned”, it also states of numerous similar blends, are various novel than merely another smoking blend that the product is “Tobacco and Nicotine herbs. However, these products have claiming cannabis-like effects. Though free”, implying it could be smoked. If the recently been found to also contain we had little to go on other than informed bold text on the front of the package noting synthetic chemicals with effects similar speculation and a few first-hand reports, that it contains “an eighth” doesn’t remind to THC. Although sold in the same the described effects seemed too strong one strongly enough of cannabis, then the contexts as the mostly ineffective “legal and too similar to cannabis to be the result original distributor’s name, “The Psyche buds” (in headshops and by online of the listed ingredients, none of which Deli”, helps solidify this association. vendors), Spice and its relatives are was known for having any noteworthy Spice has been available in a number ostensibly marketed as “incense” rather psychoactivity. of variations including Spice Silver (called than smoking material. We were unable to find a U.S. vendor simply Spice in 2007), Spice Gold (said These products are one of the most that sold Spice, and multiple European to be twice as strong as Silver), and Spice interesting developments in grey-market suppliers told us that the manufacturer Diamond (said to be twice as strong as recreational drugs since the “research stipulated that it not be sold into the United Gold), as well as flavors/aromas called chemical” phenomenon of the early 2000s. States. (Later packaging specifically Tropical Synergy and Arctic Synergy. This new evolution in psychoactives is states “Not for sale in the USA”.) We Although the 2008/2009 packaging made possible by sophisticated knowledge ordered a package from a British vendor clearly states that it is “not for human of chemistry, pharmacology, scientific in March 2007, and quickly verified consumption”, a claim repeated by many research, drug detection methods, our suspicions via bioassay; the effects of the online vendors who sell it, The were obviously the Psyche Deli tellingly trademarked Spice result of a THC-like in Britain both as incense and as an herbal …the described effects seemed too strong compound. We have smoking product/tobacco substitute.1 and too similar to cannabis to be the result been following the of the listed ingredients… Spice phenomenon Spice: Effects ever since. We interviewed a number of people marketing, and international drug laws. The original small (3˝ x 3.75˝) foil who had smoked the original Spice and The trend involves the sale of novel, packets feature a distinctive eye logo atop some Erowid crew also reported on their putatively legal, functional psychoactives a stylized leaf and contain what appears to experiences. Everyone agreed with web packaged in such a way as to hide the be a blend of different dried and ground forum postings that the Spice smoke is identity of the active compounds from plant materials. The package lists 13 harsh compared to good quality cannabis both governmental agencies and from herbs and spices: baybean, blue lotus, or hash, with a pleasant vanilla aroma other manufacturers, since candidly dwarf scullcap, indian warrior, lion’s tail, reminiscent of flavored tobaccos. Although marketing a new recreational chemical maconha brava, marshmallow, pink lotus, one person described experiencing no would shorten the period before it is red clover, rose, Siberian motherwort, significant effects from Spice, most copied or banned. vanilla, and honey. reported that the effects were very similar

12 Erowid Extracts ­— Number 16 / June 2009 Brands & Varieties to those of cannabis, and nothing like the (synthetic THC) report that “maybe I feel something, maybe I don’t”– they don’t like Marinol’s Albino Rhino Buds, Aroma, Bombay Blue, type effects of most herbal cannabis effects as much as those Caneff 5 star, Chillin XXX, D-Raw, Dark replacements. Spice smokers reported of cannabis itself. In Matter, Dream, Everlast, Ex-ses (Platinum), feeling “stoned” or a “cannabis-like cannabis-using subcultures, Experience: Chill, Experience: Ignite, high”, yet also consistently reported it is widely discussed that Experience: Red Ball, Fusion, Galaxy, Genie, that the effects were not quite the same there are at least two distinct Gorilla, Herb Dream, Ice Bud Extra Cold, as cannabis. While specific differences effects of cannabis: the Kronic, Krypto Buds, Magic, Mojo, Moon have not been clearly identified, many sedating (“stoney” / body Rocks, Pep Spice, Sence, Smoke, Solar descriptions suggest that Spice’s effects high) and the stimulating Flare, Space, Space Truckin’, Spice, Spice have a stronger physical component at a (“trippy” / mental high). Arctic Synergy, Spice Tropical Synergy, Spice given level of mental high. Different strains of cannabis Diamond, Spice Gold, Spice Gold Spirit, Spice Silver, Spicey XXX, SpiceWorld420, Spice99 Though some of the herbs listed on are said to have more of one (Ultra), Spike99, Smoke, Splice Platinum, Star the Spice packaging are known to have quality or the other. Fire, Yucatan Fire, Zohai, Zohai SX. mild psychoactive effects, it was obvious There are hundreds to the Erowid crew that none of the herbs of uncommon synthetic by themselves could be responsible for cannabinoid receptor the level of effects that were reported. The agonists with effects that only listed herb with which we were not are not well documented. familiar was indian warrior, presumably As early as September Pedicularis densiflora, which we later 2006, Internet forum rumors confirmed does not have effects similar claimed that Spice contained to Spice when smoked. a synthetic cannabinoid It seems that the effects of Spice are called HU-210,3 a chemical so similar to natural cannabis that even 50–400 times more potent experienced smokers might not be able than THC.4 Some who had to reliably tell them apart outside of the tried HU-210 argued it differences in smoke quality and aroma. couldn’t be that chemical This represents a truly new feat in the because HU-210’s effects last world of quasi-legal psychoactive drugs, much longer than cannabis. and one that apparently has made the O n e p h a r m a c o l o g i s t producers of the material a lot of money. speculated that a combination of an listed ingredient). The sample did not extremely low level of HU-210 and another test positive for cannabinoids and the lab Cannabinoid Combination? cannabinoid might effectively mimic asserted that “no scheduled drugs [were] The consistency with which Spice was cannabis, with a shorter duration than a present”. described as having effects very similar higher dose of HU-210 alone. The mass spectrums, which could be to cannabis quickly led us (and others) to Regardless of the exact details, it was thought of as the “chemical fingerprints” suspect that these products contained at not difficult to imagine that, in theory, of the compound, included several major least one unnamed synthetic or extracted a chemist or company would be able to “peaks” that the lab was not able to identify. psychoactive chemical. The most likely add one or more similar chemicals to We asked other analytical chemists to look candidates seemed to be synthetic a complex blend of herbs, creating an at the results, but had no luck discovering cannabinoids. We had heard rumblings for apparently herbal product with effects the identity of the mystery chemicals. nearly a decade about the idea of selling similar to cannabis. novel synthetic cannabinoids on the grey Difficulty of Detection market. These discussions included talk of In the Lab A common misconception about intentionally crafting combinations of two In April 2007, we sent a sample drug testing is that one can put an (or more) synthetic cannabinoids, in order of basic Spice to Drug Detection unidentified plant or mixture of chemicals to achieve the most pleasant or desirable Laboratories (DDL), the laboratory we in one end of an analytical machine, such cannabis-like high possible. work with for EcstasyData testing of street as GC/MS or LC/MS, and the identities It has long been theorized that the ecstasy tablets. We asked them to look of its component substances will pop combination of cannabinoids present in for any identifiable chemicals, but also to out the other end. When the analytical the plant produces a unique effect that is specifically look for cannabinoids. DDL profile of a substance is not in a lab’s different from the effect caused by any conducted GC/MS testing on the material, database or if there are substances in a of its pure chemicals in isolation, and but their computerized matching system sample that have overlapping profiles, some research has supported this theory.2 could not identify any known chemicals interpreting the results of GC/MS requires Many people who are prescribed Marinol other than tocopherol (vitamin E, not a time and expertise. It is entirely possible

Erowid Extracts — Number 16 / June 2009 13 Auwärter et al. Mass Spectrum of Compound 2. JMS, 2009. in combinations or levels are currently being sold? Are there other analytical issues preventing detection i n s o m e i n s t a n c e s ? What chemicals will be discovered in future products of this type?

Popularity In May 2009, a search Erowid / DDL Mass Spectrum of Compound from Spice. 2007. on “Spice Gold” yielded 521,000 hits on Google and dozens of vendors selling related products on Ebay.com. With prices for a packet sometimes exceeding the local price of cannabis ($35 to $45 per 3-gram packet, with one Romanian web site listing Comparison of Mass Spectrums from Auwärter et al. and Erowid packets for $115 USD), for a Homolog of CP 47,497 Found in Spice there is clearly substantial interest in these products. T h e y h a v e b e e n for someone with knowledge of chemical Spice products contained HU-210, though popular in Britain, Germany, and analysis techniques to intentionally theirs is the only lab to have found HU-210 Romania, and have been distribution in obscure the identity of the chemicals in and this finding has not yet been verified other European countries and the United a product. The most obvious way to do elsewhere.5 States. While Erowid has been unable this would be to add a plant or chemical In January 2009, the Journal of to find solid numbers on sales, we’ve because it looks very similar in testing Mass Spectrometry published a letter received unconfirmed reports that many results to a chemical that the producers by Auwärter, Dresen, et al. from the head shops were selling thousands of want to hide. When interpreting the results, University of Freiburg that included dollars worth of Spice-type products many chemists would simply identify the mass spectrums (the “fingerprints”) for per day in 2008; and the distributor, The presence of the plant ingredient without several compounds found in Spice and Psyche Deli, reportedly increased its seeing that it obscured another chemical. related products. The authors identified assets by over $1,000,000 between 2006 It may be that the choices made about the the primary substance as an unnamed and 2007.7 ingredient profile in Spice were based, in homolog of the cannabinoid agonist CP The success of Spice in 2007 and part, on preventing easy detection. 47,497, with one more carbon atom on its 2008 has lead to a proliferation of more “tail” than CP 47,497.6 than 40 copycats, some with blatant Eureka: Identification We were excited to find that the knock-off names such as “Spicey”, “Pep The same suspicions that we’d had mass spectrums of the compounds that Spice”, “Spike 99”, or “Splice Platinum”. about Spice led a number of organizations were identified in the Auwärter paper Several of these even feature variations on in various countries to do their own as the primary cannabinoid agonists in the Spice logo, such as a monster eye or chemical testing. To date, a handful of Spice, Spice Gold, and Spice Diamond, an eye in a triangle. synthetic chemicals have been identified nearly exactly matched the results of our Stories in mainstream news sources, in Spice-type products. In December 2008, 2007 analysis. The CP 47,497 homolog including a notable article in the British the city of Frankfurt, Germany was the was clearly the same chemical that our Financial Times, as well as alternative first to reveal definitive identification of laboratory analysis had been unable to publications like The Entheogen Review a synthetic cannabinoid agonist in Spice identify in the Spice we purchased and had and forums such as Bluelight.ru, have products. They contracted with a specialized analyzed some 20 months before Auwärter publicly broadcast the existence of Spice. laboratory named THC Pharm to do an et al. purchased the Spice they analyzed.5 The DEA included a story about Spice in-depth chemical analysis. THC Pharm Some open questions remain: Might products in its March 2009 issue of found that Spice contained JWH-018, a extremely low doses of HU-210 or other Microgram, and European governments cannabinoid agonist. In January 2009, chemicals be present in products where they have made moves to control these U.S. Customs agents reported that seized have not yet been found? What variations materials.

14 Erowid Extracts ­— Number 16 / June 2009 A Foxy Dilemma Safe as Weed? For Erowid, the most difficult aspect Because Spice products are of the Spice explosion has been deciding used as cannabis replacements, THC how to handle information about these their safety must be compared products before they were verified to with that of smoked cannabis. contain novel synthetic additives. When Unlike Ecstasy alternatives, we first learned of Spice, we didn’t know which might offer more benign whether its effects were due to a relatively safety profiles than MDMA safe set of herbs with a surprising synergy; (lower risk of death or less a relatively safe and known chemical; a neurotoxicity), Spice-type harmful chemical added by producers products are up against a Spice Homolog simply intent on making profits; or an mountain of historical and of CP 47,497 unknown chemical with an unknown scientific evidence that safety profile. The fine line between establishes the safety of describing a new psychoactive and acting cannabis. as an unintended promoter of a potentially Large epidemiological harmful and/or scam product presented a studies and experimental data familiar dilemma. have shown cannabis smoking In 2000, Erowid began publishing does not involve many acute experience reports about the grey-market risks other than those of research chemical 5-MeO-DiPT general inebriation.9 Even extended, under 1 mg.16 Another caused over two (“Foxy”). By posting information about heavy cannabis use does not appear to days of on-and-off twilight consciousness the substance before its use had spread cause brain damage,10 nor substantial at around 1 mg.17 While cannabinoid to a large number of users, we were increases in risks of lung cancer11 or heart receptor agonists are not known to be inadvertently advertising for a chemical disease in healthy users;12 and it causes associated with fatal suppression of either few people had been exposed to. Erowid only moderate increases in respiratory breathing or the cardiovascular system,18 was also accused of accelerating law illnesses.13 Further, THC has been shown and a number of the synthetic research enforcement interest and media attention to have anti-cancer properties in a number cannabinoids have been evaluated by on this new drug. That experience has of experiments14,15 and has even been pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer, informed our choices around when and shown to be neuroprotective.10 widespread use may turn up other risks. how to begin publishing information Cannabis is, however, well known There is an unmet public health need related to novel compounds. for causing some people to experience for government-sponsored testing of Speculating publicly that Spice paranoid ideation and feelings of anxiety. black- and grey-market recreational drugs. might contain synthetic cannabinoids, The possibility of triggering psychosis is The producers of those products will never before there was direct evidence, seemed perhaps the top cannabis-related health do adequate safety testing. Given that this premature on two counts. We didn’t want issue receiving research attention in is a persistent, long-term problem, public to be an unwitting advertiser for products the last decade. Some psychoactive health organizations must step up to fund of unknown safety. We also didn’t want cannabinoid agonists other than THC the development and administration of to direct law enforcement attention might not cause paranoia effects or might a standardized battery of tests for novel toward the products by postulating the be less likely to trigger latent psychoses, compounds. Such tests would ideally look presence of hidden synthetic chemical though there is little evidence that Spice for carcinogenicity, cardiovascular risks, ingredients. products have either of those benefits. and interactions with common recreational What are the and medical drugs, and would also assess h e a l t h r i s k s o f whether new compounds present other Because Spice products are used as cannabis smoking Spice-type mental and physical health issues. replacements, their safety must be compared products, with their with that of smoked cannabis. somewhat random Hazards of Prohibition a s s o r t m e n t o f Prohibition of widely used recreational We concluded that publishing about herbal ingredients and largely untested drugs creates profitable markets for novel theoretical synthetic ingredients would synthetic additives? Even if one psychoactives. The unwillingness of likely increase sales and increase law formulation is safe, another might not governments around the world to authorize enforcement attention. It is a strange bind, be. At least one of the cannabinoid new recreational drugs means that such knowing that—due to the current state of receptor agonists has reportedly caused products will necessarily be unregulated. prohibition—dispersing information that a frightening period (8 hours) of uncon- The UNODC estimates that there are should be considered cautionary would sciousness followed by a long period (48 over 150 million current cannabis users likely have the opposite effect.8 hours) of strong intoxication at a dose far in the world, virtually all of whom use

Erowid Extracts — Number 16 / June 2009 15 it illegally,19 suggesting that the market packaging and products in a matter of References for effective cannabis replacements is weeks. Manufacturers can not only vary 1. UK Intellectual Property Office. Trademark hundreds of millions of dollars per year. the chemical profile of different product 2477963A. 2008. Drug prohibition creates a pressure varieties, but also vary what chemicals are 2. Morgan CJ, Curran HV. “Effects of Cannabidiol on Schizophrenia-Like to develop new substances that are included in a product over time, shifting Symptoms in People Who Use Cannabis”. active at low doses, because they are from one to another to stay ahead of the Br J Psychiatry. 2008;192(4):306–7. easier to transport and more difficult to law and their competitors. Imagine the 3. Shamantra. “Spice Contains HU 210?”. detect. Prohibition also drives illicit drug difficulty for customs agents trying to EveryoneDoesIt.com. Accessed May 23, manufacturers to lie about the ingredients block importation of dozens or hundreds 2007. Thread 74135. 4. Devane WA, Breuer A, Sheskin T, et al. “A of newly designed products. of professional-looking products whose Novel Probe for the Cannabinoid Receptor”. Incentives to disguise and misrepresent packaging, marketing copy, and listed J Med Chem. 1992;35(11):2065–9. the contents of products arise not only from ingredients change seasonally. 5. Auwärter V. Personal communication. the threat of criminal penalty, but also from Apr 2009. 6. Auwärter V, Dresen S, Weinmann W, et al. the realities of an unregulated marketplace. A Taste of the Future “‘Spice’ and Other Herbal Blends: Harmless Producers who invest time and money Spice is a fascinating test case for Incense or Cannabinoid Designer Drugs?”. in the development of new grey-market unusually potent drugs of the future. The J Mass Spectrom. Feb 2, 2009;44(5):832–7. products must hide the details of their Spice story is part sci-fi, part Prohibition- 7. Jack A. “The Story of Spice”. Financial product from competitors (and thus from style bootlegging, and part crass commercial Times. Feb 13, 2009. 8. Brecher EM, Consumer Reports Eds. “How the public), in order to maximize their venture. This new generation of recreational to Launch a Nationwide Drug Menace.” The profit. Without the protections afforded by “research chemical” cannabinoids and Consumers Union Report on Licit and Illicit patents and governmental approvals, cheap cannabinomimetics are in the first wave of Drugs. Part VI - Inhalants, solvents and knock offs hit the market as soon as the high-tech crypto drugs, more of which may glue-sniffing, Chapter 44. 1972. 9. Sidney S. “Comparing Cannabis with nature of Spice came to light. be just around the corner. Tobacco—again”. BMJ. 2003;327(7416): ≈Camouflaged drugs are not unique The evolutionary pressures of the 635–6. to markets for recreational psychoactives. last century have created a climate 10. Iversen L. “Cannabis and the Brain”. Brain. Synthetic chemicals and pharmaceuticals where new potent drugs are not only 2003;126(Pt 6):1252–70. have been discovered in ostensibly “herbal” obscured, but obfuscated using specialized 11. Hashibe M, Morgenstern H, Cui Y, et al. “Marijuana Use and the Risk of Lung medications and dietary supplements; technical knowledge that even expert and Upper Aerodigestive Tract Cancers”. some Chinese “herbal” patent medicines laboratories have difficulty sorting Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. have contained barbiturates,20 and analyses through. The Spice phenomenon gives 2006;15(10):1829–34. of products sold as “herbal Viagra” have us a glimpse of the complexities to 12. Sidney S. “Cardiovascular Consequences of Marijuana Use”. J Clin Pharmacol. revealed the presence of synthetic erectile be faced in the future when providing 2002;42(11 Suppl):64S–70S. dysfunction drugs, such as sildenafil harm-reduction and health information for 13. Tetrault JM, Crothers K, Moore BA, et al. (Viagra) and several analogues.21 an ever-shifting, ever-expanding profusion “Effects of Marijuana Smoking on Pulmonary The modern industrial product cycle of psychoactive drugs, drug combinations, Function and Respiratory Complications: can be extremely rapid, churning out new and technologies. A Systematic Review”. Arch Intern Med. • 2007;167(3):221–8. 14. Salazar M, Carracedo A, Salanueva IJ. “Cannabinoid Action Induces Autophagy- Mediated Cell Death Through Stimulation of ER Stress in Human Glioma Cells”. J Clin Invest. 2009;119(5):1359–72. 15. Guzman M. “Cannabinoids: Potential Anticancer Agents”. Nat Rev Cancer. 2003;3(10):745–55. 16. Anonymous. Personal Communication. 2009. 17. Sand N. Personal Communication. 2009. 18. Herkenham M, Lynn AB, Little MD, et al. “Cannabinoid Receptor Localization in Brain”. Proc Natl Acad Sci. 1990;87(5): 1932–6. 19. UNODC. World Drug Report 2008. 2008. 20. Boyer EW, Kearney S, Shannon MW, et al. “Poisoning from a Dietary Supplement Administered During Hospitalization”. Pediatrics. 2002;109(3):E49. 21. Gryniewicz CM, Reepmeyer JC, Kauffman JF, et al. “Detection of Undeclared Erectile Dysfunction Drugs and Analogues in Dietary Close-up of Spice Showing Mixed Herbal Material. Photo by Erowid. Supplements by Ion Mobility Spectrometry”. J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2009;49(3):601–6.

16 Erowid Extracts —­ Number 16 / June 2009 Spice Experience Report Excerpts

Spiced Up My Life! Spiced Out in a Drought More Potent Than Mary Jane by Shruming Human by PippUK by Dude 5ht2c

I have smoked Spice Gold at least 100 I had found Spice Gold too mild, so I am a 30-year-old male, slightly times in the last eight months. I worry I ordered the strongest formulation of the overweight. I quit smoking cannabis in about the health risks, as well as aspects product line that I could find. Assuming college, primarily because of the rapid of psychological addiction that arise, and I that the chemical(s) in Spice must be heartbeat and chest pains I developed. It will limit my smoking in the coming year. weaker than THC, and thus with a measure was no longer a “kind buzz” for me. I find Spice Gold quite similar of bravado, I rolled a couple of big joints 13:15—Loaded a very small bowl of to marijuana, with maybe 70 percent one night and proceeded to smoke them Spice Diamond. Took one medium hit and overlapping effects. It definitely doesn’t while reading before bed. held it in for 20 seconds before exhaling. give me the energy that I used to get from I was three-quarters through the Unlit, it has a vanilla scent, but lit, it smells marijuana. Like pot, it’s a bit cloudy, and second joint when I had to acknowledge like burnt herbs, not a pleasant smell. I even get a similar feeling in my body. that I was extremely stoned. It was 13:17—Began to feel the altered Spice provides good mental energy, not the familiar ground of THC that consciousness, almost identical to the focused and creative, but doesn’t seem I found myself in, though. It was a feeling that cannabis initially produces. to provide much of a mood lift. I don’t colder and less welcoming vista. Minor 13:25—Realized that this stuff really feel bad, but I’m certainly not blowing hallucinatory visuals seemed to give works, and was excited that I didn’t yet smoke rings of happiness as I experienced things a shimmer, but in a naturalistic feel any panic. at times with pot. In some way, I feel way, rather than a phosphorescent way. 13:40—Started having problems immune to depressed feelings, but I also All euphoric properties of THC seemed to concentrating. I was zoning in and out like feel resistant to ecstatic feelings, as if be suppressed, and the dysphoria seemed I do on cannabis, but more pronounced. Spice heightens my mood but also limits intensified, though I had some interesting 13:50—My heart started beating the possibilities. trains of thought. rapidly: I mean, freaking light speed. Panic I can take three to four hits and get I have never experienced intrusive set in and I started pacing. I’m guessing the full experience. When I have smoked paranoid thoughts on cannabis. But this that my heart rate was 140 to 160 bpm. almost double this amount, the effects substance gave me a dose of paranoia, All physical sensation was enhanced, but were only slightly stronger, but lasted a and my mouth was as dry as the inside delayed. long time. It took me hours to fall asleep of Ghandi’s flip-flop. As I lay in bed, I 14:00—Contemplated calling 911. after smoking it. Just like when I used had a full-on panic attack. I took control For a moment, I felt as if I was waiting to get very high on marijuana, my mind of my breathing and calmed myself. But to die and that my heart would pop at any raced uncontrollably, forbidding sleep, and this conscious control was not connected moment. it wasn’t especially fun. The lethargy the directly to my autonomic nervous system, 14:15—I decided to take a shower and following day was nasty. whose response lagged by 30 seconds. My try to sober up. After a while, I finally was Similarities to Marijuana: “Stony” heartbeat began to ramp up frighteningly, at a good place mentally. effect, dreamy/wavy feelings, impairment I could feel the sudden strong jerks of 14:35—I was still having uncomfort- of short-term memory, change in that poor muscle in my chest, and I felt able sensations in my chest and rapid subjective experience of time duration, that each breath was scarcely enough to heartbeat, which came and went. mental energy, creativity enhanced, music deliver the oxygen I needed. I was really 15:00 to 18:00—Maintained cannabis- enhanced, some tactile enhancement, quite scared. I was able to eventually get like high. Felt LSD-like coldness, a little anti-nausea (though not as strong as pot), some sleep, but not great sleep. psychedelic feeling. Heartbeat still fairly inability to sleep. There is a connection between the erratic, but not at a dangerous level. Differences from Marijuana: Longer feel of this and good old herb, but the 18:00 to 21:00—Very gradual come- duration, less mood enhancement, less duration of effects seem drawn out. Like it down. I was able to sleep around 22:30 physical energy, slightly less distance from hits me mentally full-on half an hour after or so. consensus reality, less obviously altered; smoking, and then leaves me in a state of The Next Day—No major fatigue. Still a lazier overall feeling. mild confusion and anxiety for up to eight a little spacey. Marijuana tears me open, emotionally hours afterwards. Conclusion & Opinion and spiritually, in some ways that Spice I can’t say that I will never re-order This level of panic and heart rate doesn’t touch. But Spice may touch some Spice, because during a drought I have trumped any cannabis effects I’ve ever areas that marijuana doesn’t touch. It a tendency to clutch at straws. However, had. The “high” feelings were the same as certainly seems worth exploring in an it did well and truly whup this hardened those from cannabis, other than the lack of effort to reap some deeper rewards. • weed smoker most surprisingly. • warm/fuzzy feeling. •

Erowid Extracts —— NumberNumber 16 16 / /June June 2009 2009 17 Last Saturdays Club Group Psychedelic Experiences by the Teafærie

I love to trip by myself. I still consider myself a member of last Saturday of every month—a It’s refreshing to be able to let it all hang the Last Saturdays Club, though there delightful practice in which some of us out once in a while without having to has not been a formal meeting in many still occasionally indulge with a wistful factor in the reactions of baffled witnesses. years due to geographical incompatibility nostalgia. I also like tripping à deux with a friend or issues. It came about when a European Working with the same group regularly a lover. It’s always good to have a buddy, documentary crew wanted to film some over a number of years is intense, to say and I’m kinky for the multiverse. Likewise folks taking mushrooms. They hoped to the least. It’s also quite illuminating. I enjoy taking psychedelics at big events, show how it might providing that the venue meets my fairly be a salubrious Given the blind choice of having to have high standards. It can be liberating to and enlightening sex with a random stranger or having to take my private practice out in public in practice, so they trip hard in an elevator with said stranger an environment like Burning Man, and were looking for for six whole hours, I’d be inclined to there are certain effects that only occur subjects who could or only become visible on a large scale, be counted on to sacrifice my virtue. when hundreds of trippers are running s a y s o m e t h i n g around and bouncing off of one another reasonably intelligent whilst in the throes Psychedelics can magnify or distort in a chaotic milieu. of the effects. Consequently, they called familiar character traits and bring up I think small groups are my favorite, upon a psychedelic luminary (whose good unexpected material. You find out an awful though. Like many of us, I started out name I shall not sully by association with lot about yourself, and about the members tripping with a crew of close friends, and yours truly) and asked him to round up of your adventure party. They find things time and broad experience have deepened some suitable volunteers. My husband and out about you, too. It’s incredibly intimate my appreciation for this mode. I were lucky enough to be amongst the and it pays to choose one’s companions chosen. We decided wisely. Given the blind choice of having to as a group that we have sex with a random stranger or having really ought to trip to trip hard in an elevator with said stranger together a few times for six whole hours, I’d be inclined before the cameras to sacrifice my virtue. Transpersonal started rolling, effects, such as the perception of shared and so we met for consciousness, can be quite dramatic in my a number of con- experience—and I don’t want just anybody secutive Saturdays in my head with me, thank you very to practice and much. Who knows what kind of cooties p r e p a r e . L o n g I might catch? I also don’t want to worry story short, the about people messing with me, or casting documentary didn’t judgment, or freaking out all the time and actually happen needing constant attention. (or anyway we We found that it was helpful to set weren’t in it); but some ground rules, which I’ve detailed surprise surprise, extensively in “Ground Control: A Sitter’s we ended up having Primer” (on Erowid). No violence is an so much fun that obvious rule. Some people also like to be we established a confident that they won’t be hit on while regular tradition they’re under the influence. Others want of taking a variety to know that they can comfortably veto a

Different Waves by Olly Gloomleage of psychedelics musical selection that isn’t working for together on the them, or nix a proposed activity such as

18 Erowid Extracts ­— Number 16 / June 2009 a stroll to the neighborhood park. A few towards reintegration. If no chaperone is congruity. Also, when the game is over, questions are best answered before the available, it’s up to whoever is most able it’s nice to have people to share memories fun begins, and synced with a sitter, if to keep a warm and watchful eye on the with. It’s sometimes hard to figure out how you have one. Is there a strong intention to developing scenario. Seuss and I once sat to file this stuff when there are no other stay together? When is it okay to leave the in the bottom of a darkened shower for observers to corroborate my experience target area? At what point will emergency several hours because the rest of the party and bear witness to my transformation. services be called in, if the unexpected was less than amused by his conviction The friendships I’ve forged in the should occur? that he could control their actions at a heart of the Mystery have stood the On a personal level, I like to know distance. I still don’t know what was really test of time. There is nothing more where my podmates are coming from. going on there, but What are the relative experience levels I recall that they did Seuss and I once sat in the bottom of in the group? What is each person’s set keep poking their a darkened shower for several hours like, and what are they hoping to get heads in right on because the rest of the party was less than out of out of the coming encounter? his cue. What’s everybody taking? Sometimes the I t ’s a l w a y s amused by his conviction that he could members of the Last Saturdays Club would more fun to travel control their actions at a distance. all drop the same balm, other times we with good friends, would each team up with a different ally and inner journeys are no exception. bonding than sharing a peak experience, and let them all play together. The atmosphere of camaraderie and high and psychedelics have a tendency to My friend Honest John, who was adventure allows me to draw courage from produce that sort of thing. People who trip also a member of Last Saturdays, throws the communal well and helps me keep my together are often privileged to witness one a recurring party called Geisscream. set positive. I find humor is essential to another’s finest moments, and they also There have been maybe a dozen or the enterprise, and sometimes a passing get to see their pals literally munching so installments since the turn of the reference to an inside joke or the stench the carpet now and again. It requires a lot millennium. The cast has shifted around of an abominable multi-level pun can be of trust to really go there; and, assuming a central core of dedicated explorers, but the best possible medicine when things everyone takes care of each other, that the game is always played the same way. are touch-and-go. Besides, people are fun trust continues to grow over time and To wit, each person is required to bring an to play with! Transpersonal effects, like becomes a safe foundation from which to eighth of mushrooms, a pint of ice cream, apparent shared visions, are fascinating to communally investigate the fascinating and however many minutes worth of me, and I’ve spent countless happy hours universe between our ears. It’s pretty music you get when you divide six hours trying to devise games and tests to prove bizarre in there, folks. I’m glad that we by the number of participants. Then John or disprove our perceptions of internal have each other to explore it with. • throws all the music into shuffle play and turns on the LCD projector. (Geiss was one of the early awesome screensaver visualizations.) All the survivors get a copy of the playlist as a souvenir. It’s interesting to note how Geisscream has evolved over almost a decade. For one thing, we’ve all gotten better at it as we gained experience. We know now when a companion’s apparent insanity is cause for concern and when to step back and let it run its natural course. Problems often become magnified by well-meaning attempts at intervention. I work with preschoolers, and I find that many of the same principles apply. Simple distraction is often the best remedy for sudden shifts in mood or tone. Occasional ripples of dissonance are fairly manageable, though once in a while a situation becomes contagiously out of phase with the gestalt and someone has to take a time-out. If there is a sitter, they can take temporary Geiss Screenshot custody of the troublemaker with a view

Erowid Extracts — Number 16 / June 2009 19 In the Name of Science Human Hallucinogen Research: Guidelines for Safety by the Erowid Crew Photos by Matthew Johnson

In August 2008, the Journal of of volunteer selection and preparation, subject leaving the study site during the Psychopharmacology published “Human interactions between the volunteer and session. hallucinogen research: guidelines for study personnel, and the careful creation Written in a clear prose that should be safety”, proposing recommendations of the study site are all discussed. Creating accessible to most Erowid members, this for the safe administration of classic a context of safety, trust, and rapport article is the most up-to-date peer-reviewed psychedelics and the minimization between the researchers and subjects is overview of the physical and mental risks of potential adverse reactions within emphasized as a strategy for preventing associated with psychedelics. Well worth a research context.1 Written by three and counteracting adverse reactions. reading for anyone interested in this field of researchers from the landmark Johns Reviewing previous research giving research, it includes practical information Hopkins psilocybin and mysticism study, psychedelics to human subjects, the about preparing for and conducting the paper provides a detailed history of authors found that extensive preparation sessions that are also applicable for the human research with psychedelics and and interpersonal support led to “fewer deliberate use of psychedelics outside of an assessment of the risks involved. adverse psychological reactions, such as a research setting. • It was published coincident with the panic reactions and paranoid episodes, release of the 14-month follow-up to and increased reports of positively valued References their mysticism study,2 and it describes experiences”.1 1. Johnson MW, Richards WA, Griffiths RR. “Human Hallucinogen Research: protocols developed for that research. Despite being very rare, bad trips Guidelines for Safety”. J Psychopharmacol. While physiological safety con- leading to dangerous behavior and the Aug 2008;22(6):603–20. siderations pertaining to psychedelics even less likely possibility of prolonged 2. Griffiths RR, Richards WA, Johnson MW, et al. “Mystical-type Experiences research have received attention in recent psychosis or hallucinogen persisting Occasioned by Psilocybin Mediate the years,3 Johnson et al. do an admirable job perceptual disorder (HPPD) are identified Attribution of Personal Meaning and of examining the unique psychological as the most concerning risks that a Spiritual Significance 14 Months Later”. J Psychopharmacol. Aug 2008;22(6):621–32 and contextual factors (“set and setting”) researcher must prepare for. A milder 3. Nichols DE. “Hallucinogens”. Pharmacol inherent with their use. The importance but more common risk is that of the Ther. 2004;101(2):131–81.

The researchers argue that Videotaping of sessions an aesthetically pleasing was well tolerated by study setting for the session “may participants. decrease the probability of acute psychological distress.”

Two monitors were present during study sessions, preferably with both genders represented in the team. Study volunteers met with monitors in this room prior to sessions to familiarize themselves with the physical environment.

The volunteers wore eyeshades and used headphones for music during sessions to support inward attention. Volunteers were encouraged to “collect experiences” for later examination, post-session.

20 Erowid Extracts —­ Number 16 / June 2009 Psychoactives 101 Fundamentals of Responsible Psychoactive Use by Fire and Earth Erowid

When “Towards a Culture of Responsible Psychoactive Drug Use” appeared in the September 2008 issue of Cato Unbound, the Cato Institute’s online publication, we introduced a list of principles called the Fundamentals of Responsible Psychoactive Use. Similar to the “set and setting” meme introduced in the 1960s to bring attention to the importance of context when using psychedelics, the Fundamentals highlight additional factors to consider when using psychoactives. Based on one of Erowid’s earliest documents, the “Individual Code of Conduct for Primary Religious Practices”, first drafted in 1996, the Fundamentals of Responsible Psychoactive Use have been gleaned from the insights and experiences of thousands of people, and are a work in progress. Since publication in Cato Unbound, a new point has been added about awareness of legal issues.

Fundamentals of Responsible Psychoactive Use (v2.1) 1. Investigate the health risks and dangers of the specific psychoactive and of the class of drugs to which it belongs. 2. Learn about interactions and contraindications with other recreational drugs, medications, supplements, and activities. 3. Review individual health concerns, predispositions, and family health history. 4. Be aware of relevant laws and penalties. 5. Choose a source or product carefully to help ensure correct identification and purity. (Try to avoid materials with an unknown source or of unknown quality.) 6. Know whether the drug is likely to impair the ability to drive, operate equipment, or pay attention to necessary tasks. 7. Take oneself “off duty” from responsibilities that might be interfered with (job, child care, etc.), and arrange for someone else to be “on duty”. 8. Anticipate reasonably foreseeable risks to oneself and others, and employ safeguards to minimize those risks. 9. Choose an appropriate occasion and location for use. 10. Decide how much to use and measure dosages carefully. 11. Begin with a low dose until individual reactions are known and thereafter use the minimum dose necessary to achieve the desired effects: lower doses are safer doses. 12. Reflect on and adjust use to minimize physical and mental health problems. 13. Note changes in health over time that may be related to use. 14. Modify use if it interferes with work or personal goals. 15. Check in with peers and family, and accept feedback about one’s use. 16. Track reactions to specific drugs and dosages in order to avoid repeating mistakes. 17. Seek treatment if needed. 18. Decide not to use if the time isn’t right, the material is suspect, or the situation is otherwise problematic.

As discussed in the Cato Unbound essay, this list applies not only to people who consider themselves “drug users”, but also to the vast majority of the population who at one time or another use any psychoactive substance. We live in a world filled with materials and technologies that affect the mind, including alcohol or coffee, over-the-counter DXM-containing cough medicines, prescription antidepressants, legal plants and herbs such as Piper methysticum (kava), and illegal chemicals like LSD. Users of any of these could benefit from following the guidelines above. Regardless of legal status or societal acceptance, responsible psychoactive use requires access to accurate, detailed, and practical information. •

Erowid Extracts — Number 16 / June 2009 21 The A Peek at the Erowid Offices

Distillation All photos by Erowid crew.

The Distillation includes updates, statistics, and information that we hope will offer insight into the ongoing site additions, traffic, and projects currently underway at Erowid.

Summary

General Content Pages 14,661 Archived Site Pages 4,663 Experience Reports 18,617 References 7,101 Ask Erowid 559 The Erowid Review 215 Content Images 5,132 Visionary Art 1,969 Total 52,917

Erowid Files on Server 138,578 Erowid Disk Footprint 37.9 GB Erowid HQ — Library Current Members 1,225 Daily Visitors 61,037

Content Details

General Content Pages 14,661

Number of Substances Vaults 319 Most Popular Substance Vaults (with change) MDMA (h); Cannabis (i); LSD (n); Mushrooms (i); DMT ( h ); Cocaine ( n ); Salvia divinorum ( i ); Morning Glory (n ); Oxycodone (n ); DXM (n ); Methamphetamine (n); Ketamine (n); Heroin (h); Amanitas (n); Opiates (i); 2C-B (h); Datura ( i); Cacti (i); Amphetamine (i); Peyote (i); Ayahuasca (h).

Most Accessed Documents Drug Testing Basics; Mushroom Effects; MDMA Effects; Cannabis Effects; Psychedelic Resource List; LSD Effects; Cannabis Drug Testing; LSD FAQ; MDMA Trick Tract; Mushroom Basics; Cocaine Effects.

Erowid Central — Jon’s Desk

22 Erowid Extracts — Number 16 / June 2009 Experience Reports

Published Reports 18,617 Published in Last 6 Mo. 589 Fully Triaged Reports 25,322 Partially Triaged Reports 1,078 Un-triaged Reports 13,296 Viewed Each Day 108,162 Submitted Each Day 17 Substances Included 486 Active Triagers/Reviewers 27

Erowid HQ ­­— Earth & Fire’s Desk The New Logo and “EroLogo” T-shirt After a long design process, we have finalized a new Erowid logo. The first place we’re using it is on the “EroLogo” t-shirt (below), where it forms the “O” in “EROWID”. One of the guiding ideas behind the logo design was the integration of science and nature. We’ve always considered this an important intersection in Erowid’s work: studying pure chemicals as well as plants; discussing scientific research as well as spirituality. With the help of dozens of volunteers, we came up with some interesting ideas for merging these concepts in a single graphic. Eventually we honed in on a core theme from chemistry: the benzene ring, a basic structure of many organic compounds, including a variety of psychoactives. It can be drawn as a hexagonal shape, with circles at the apexes representing carbon atoms. Bringing in the botanical Erowid HQ — Shipping Room world, we worked out a stylized flower-like form that is based on this essential chemical structure. The new design is very scalable, working well at different sizes, and also allows for many variations in color and graphical elements. We’re happy with the results, and will be integrating this logo into the site and Erowid literature over the coming months.

Erowid North — Sylvia’s Desk

Erowid Extracts — Number 16 / June 2009 23 It’s Final (and Ahead of Schedule) Image In a pleasantly surprising development, we recently received notification from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that Erowid Center no longer needs to go through Vaults the process of applying for “final approval” as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We had previously been in a five-year probationary period (from the point that the Erowid Center Published Images 5,132 New in Last 6 Mo. 46 corporation was first formed), after which we would need to Image Vaults 289 Submitted Each Day 3.2 prove that we met the “public support” requirements showing Viewed Per Day 53,520 Awaiting Processing 9,373 that the organization had the broad base of support required of non-profits. 2009 qualified as the fifth year of the probationary stage, so we were looking to complete the “final approval” process near the end of the year. However, the IRS has informed us that it has changed its Datura metel var. fastuosa, Photo by Glorgonash model, and 501(c)(3) organizations that are currently in their probationary period are now being automatically granted final approval (and new non-profits generally won’t have a probationary period). Instead, we will need to provide a bit of additional information on our annual 990 tax forms. Presumably, that will be a fairly simple calculation that shows that we meet the public support test. While this is a minor milestone, it’s also one less new IRS form we’ll need to figure out, and we can now close that bureaucratic chapter of Erowid Center’s founding. Huzzah!

The Erowid Review

Published Reviews 215 Published in Last 6 Mo. 8 Viewed Each Day 2,725

Oral Oxycodone Concentrate, Photo by Dirty Soul

One Gram bk-MBDB Powder, Photo by J.P.

24 Erowid Extracts — Number 16 / June 2009 Daily Erowid Visitors (1995–2009)

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10,000

0 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 Jul 2002 Jul 2003 Jul 2004 Jul 2005 Jul 2006 Jul 2007 Jul 2008 Jan 2003 Jan 2004 Jan 2005 Jan 2006 Jan 2007 Jan 2008 Jan 2009 Mar 2002 Mar 2003 Mar 2004 Mar 2005 Mar 2006 Mar 2007 Mar 2008 Mar 2009 Nov 2002 Nov 2003 Nov 2004 Nov 2005 Nov 2006 Nov 2007 Nov 2008 Sep 2002 Sep 2003 Sep 2004 Sep 2005 Sep 2006 Sep 2007 Sep 2008 May 2002 May 2003 May 2004 May 2005 May 2006 May 2007 May 2008 May 2009 Jan 2002

What’s New with the Crew We’ve recently lost one crew member and gained EcstasyData Summary another. Lux, who worked with Erowid for two years, Daily Visitors Daily Page Hits has left the team for greener pastures. Through his focus 4,404 31,040 on site updates and content creation—including writing, 2009 Results Posted 21 Daily File Hits 352,820 research, and corrections—Lux made an important Results Posted Testing Results (1999–2008) contribution to Erowid during a crucial time in the organization’s transition to non-profit status. We’re sad 2009 21 Total Results Posted 1,661 to see him go and wish him all the best. 2008 20 MDMA Only (36%) 605 In a completely different department, Bläk has joined 2007 59 MDMA + something (20%) 331 2006 46 No MDMA (44%) 725 the team in the mission-critical role of shipping goddess. BY YEAR If specialization among the staff is any indication of an 2005 136 – Nothing 98 1996–2004 – Unidentified organization’s healthy growth, Erowid is right on track 1382 73 in its development. Over the last nine months, the job of shipping newsletters, shirts, and other membership gifts to members has largely transitioned from Fire to Bläk, and is flourishing under her watchful eye. She has also started to help with additional projects such as the cataloging of documents from the Stolaroff Collection. Outside of Erowid, she is a para-educator (third and fourth grades), an avid gardener, and a collector of fine cats. Erowid Traffic Statistics

Visitors 61,037 File Hits 3,901,293

Membership Transfer 26.08 GB Page Hits 393,172 DAILY Avg Daily Avg Daily Avg Daily Current Members 1,227 File Hits Page Hits Visitors Recently Expired Members (0–6 mo.) 447 Apr 2009 3,822,050 387,394 60,909 Older Expired Members (6+ mo.) 3,813 Mar 2009 3,961,004 394,125 61,943 Feb 2009 3,963,106 399,952 61,789 Members in the United States 859 (70%) Jan 2009 3,799,299 389,890 58,600

Members in Other Countries 368 (30%) BY MONTH Dec 2008 3,613,660 373,859 55,947 Countries with Members 39 Nov 2008 3,776,856 403,310 59,411

2008 3,812,410 418,918 57,012 Top Membership Countries 2007 3,559,761 439,501 51,979 USA (859); UK (64); Canada (63); Australia (54); 2006 3,025,185 409,796 48,755 Germany (28); Netherlands (15); France (15); Norway 2004 1,799,694 405,528 31,241 (10); Switzerland (10); Denmark (9); Finland (9); Sweden (9); Belgium (8); Spain (8); Ireland (7); 2002 1,206,855 283,541 23,042 South Africa (6); Brazil (6); Italy (5); Portugal (5). BY YEAR 2000 462,000 126,000 12,000 1998 31,200 8,500 1,000

Erowid Extracts — Number 16 / June 2009 25 VERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIM VERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIM VERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIM VERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIM VERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIMVERBATIM

“The surest way to corrupt a youth “The most difficult thing in the world “The difference between the right is to instruct him to hold in higher is to know how to do a thing and to word and the almost right word is esteem those who think alike than watch someone else do it wrong, the difference between lightning and those who think differently.” without comment.” the lightning bug.” — Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) — Theodore H. White (1915–1986) — Mark Twain (1835–1910)

“Nobody realizes that some people “There is no one, no matter how wise “Take time to deliberate, but when expend tremendous energy merely he is, who has not in his youth said the time for action arrives, stop to be normal.” things or done things that are so thinking and go in.” — Albert Camus (1913–1960) unpleasant to recall in later life that — Andrew Jackson (1767–1845) he would expunge them entirely from his memory if that were possible.” “Remember, we are all affecting “Speech is conveniently located the world every moment, whether — Marcel Proust (1871–1922) midway between thought and action, we mean to or not. Our actions and where it often substitutes for both.” states of mind matter, because — John Andrew Holmes (1773–1843) we are so deeply interconnected with one another. Working on our own consciousness is the most Lagom “Knowing ignorance is strength. important thing that we are doing Ignoring knowledge is sickness.” at any moment, and being love is a är bäst — Lao-Tzu (6th century BCE) supreme creative act.” — Ram Dass (b. 1931) [ Just the right amount is best. “The fundamental cause of trouble or in the world today is that the stupid “Divine chaos is a course corrector, Enough is as good as a feast. are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt.” a way of bringing down the systems or that distraction built in order that — Bertrand Russell (1872–1970) they can be replaced with systems or There is virtue in moderation. ] structures designed with conscious ­— Swedish Proverb “If some people do not understand thought.” these terms it is of little — Caroline Myss (b. 1952) consequence, for they will come into use in time, and then they will “Experience is that marvelous thing “When I was young, I admired clever be generally understood; for that that enables you to recognize a people. Now that I am old, I admire is the way to enrich the language, mistake when you make it again.” kind people.” which depends upon custom and the common people.” — Franklin P. Jones (1887–1929) — Abraham J. Heschel (1907–1972) — Don Quixote, by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (1547–1616) “One of the keys to happiness is a “By the age of six the average bad memory.” child will have completed the — Rita Mae Brown (b. 1944) basic American education. ... From “Dreaming permits each and every television, the child will have learned one of us to be quietly and safely “Character cannot be developed how to pick a lock, commit a fairly insane every night of our lives.” in ease and quiet. Only through elaborate bank holdup, prevent — William C. Dement (b. 1928) experience of trial and suffering wetness all day long, get the laundry can the soul be strengthened, vision twice as white, and kill people “Experience is not what happens to cleared, ambition inspired, and with a variety of sophisticated a man; it is what a man does with success achieved.” armaments.” what happens to him.” — Helen Adams Keller (1880–1968) — Russell Baker (b. 1925) — Aldous Huxley (1894–1963)