The alt.drugs Weekly Posting List and F R E Q E N T L Y A S K E D Q U E S T I O N S by lamontg@milton.u.washington.edu (Please Read this at least once before posting to alt.drugs) From: alt.drugs Subject: 00-Introduction to alt.drugs and the Monthly List Last Update: 1-18-91 Welcome to alt.drugs. This is a forum for the discussion generally of recreational drugs. To a large extent the traffic on this group deals with both currently legal and illegal recreational drugs. Discussions commonly are concerned with both the psychological and chemical effects of drugs, along with the social aspects of drug use. Discussions about prescription medications would probably be best posted to sci.med. Likewise, discussions about legal psychoactive drugs (nootropic drugs, amino acids, etc) might better be posted in alt.psychoactives. talk.politics.drugs is yet another related newsgroup which is for the discussion of the political and legal ramifications of recreational drug use. Generally, however, people on alt.drugs aren't too tense if you post something which really should belong in another newsgroup. In particular, cross-posting between alt.drugs and talk.politics.drugs is fairly common. The discussion about illegal drug use is frequently very controversial. One item should be immediately cleared up: It is *NOT* a commonly espoused theme that irresponsible illegal drug use should be *ENCOURAGED*, and the purpose of this list is not to encourage irresponsible illegal (or legal) drug use. The majority of people who read alt.drugs, however, do generally condone legal or illegal drug use provided it is done *RESPONSIBLY* and that means knowledgably. Part of the purpose of this list is to provide accurate information about drugs. In particular there are many myths about legal and illegal drug use, and there is quite a large amount of disinformation also. For the most part I have tried to insure that this list contains accurate information. If you think something is in error, please e-mail me. This list is not, however, meant to be all-encompassing (that would make for an incredibly large list and I don't have *THAT* much free time). There are also FAQ lists on the following topics, all of which are available at several FTP sites (Directions for uucp users to acquire copies of the FAQs are included in the FTP list). FAQ-Bibliography : Extensive references to books and articles about drugs FAQ-Ecstasy : Information about Ecstasy (aka MDMA, MDM, Adam) FAQ-Everclear : The Everclear list from rec.food.drink FAQ-LSD : Information about LSD FAQ-Misc : YOU'RE READING IT! FAQ-MJ-Consumption : Information on methods of social marijuana consumption FAQ-Natural-High : Info on legal means of altering your consciousness THE IMPORTANT BIT: Frequently Asked Questions Also, this list was created with another purpose in mind. alt.drugs tends to get bogged down in traffic that is continuously repeated. In particular threads on the FTP sites, how to beat drug testing, and the infamous LSD and strychnine thread have been hashed and rehashed :) more times than many people can remember. Before posting something to the net, net.etiquette requires you to read this list first. If you don't find an answer in here, and you cannot find an answer in any of the single-topic FAQs listed above then a posting to alt.drugs is welcomed. The following topics are covered in *THIS* FAQ: Introduction : YOU'RE READING IT! FTP sites, etc : Information on alt.drugs related net issues like FTP sites Common FAQs : Short and blunt answers to most FAQs (Please READ THIS!) Drug Myths : Common misconceptions about drugs (READ THIS TOO!) Drug Testing : A quick section on how to beat drug tests Organizations : A list of Anti-War on Drugs organizations If you are reading this list with rn, then it is laid out in such a way so that you can easily skip to the next subject by hitting a ^G (-G). If you're using nn, then you can hit "G%" to break this article up into a digest. ============================================================================== From: alt.drugs Subject: FTP sites, anonymous posting, and other network issues. Last Updated: 2-7-91 The following is list of Internet sites which have FTP access to files related to alt.drugs. To use them login via FTP as 'anonymous': site [internet address] (contact person) /directory: description ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ life.slhs.udel.edu [128.175.4.33] (tom@genie.slhs.udel.edu) /alt.drugs: alt.drugs FAQs, selected alt.drugs articles, .gifs jyu.fi [130.234.0.1] (eloranta@jyu.fi) /pub/alt.drugs: archived articles since 25 Apr 91, FAQs, .gifs --==>this is the main archive site for *ALL* alt.drugs postings<==-- lcs.mit.edu [18.26.0.36] /news/alt/drugs: last several days article for those without USENET access rusmv1.rus.uni-stuttgart.de [129.69.1.12] /soft/kommunikation/news/spool/alt/drugs: same as lcs.mit.edu milton.u.washington.edu [128.95.136.1] (lamontg@milton.u.washington.edu) /public/alt.drugs: misc alt.drugs related material, FAQs pit-manager.mit.edu [18.72.1.58] /pub/activism: has constitution of US, Bill of Rights, etc ftp.eff.org [192.88.144.3] /pub/academic/civics: Government addresses, constitution, Senate fax#, etc (send updates to lamontg@milton.u.washington.edu or post) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you don't have access to FTP because you are on a uucp/Fidonet/etc network there is an e-mail gateway at ftpmail@decwrl.dec.com that can retrieve the files for you. To get instrutions on how to use the FTP gateway send a blank message to ftpmail@decwrl.dec.com with one line containing the work 'help'. This is a sample message of how to retrieve some files from the alt.drugs archives at milton: % mail ftpmail@decwrl.dec.com Subject: reply @ connect milton.u.washington.edu anonymous dir /public/alt.drugs get /public/alt.drugs/000-readme get /public/alt.drugs/000-index uuencode /* note: this command is optional and the default is btoa */ binary get /public/alt.drugs/marijuana-myths.Z quit That would retrieve a directory of the archive, then the two printable ascii files 000-readme and 000-index. To recieve the rest of the files you must set the server to "binary" mode because all the files are compressed. Those compressed files are then either sent out uuencoded or btoa'd. So, you must obtain copies of the programs 'uudecode' (or 'atob') and 'uncompress' to unpack the files that you will recieve. ->Ask your local computer guru for clarification on how to do this<- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following is a list of persons on alt.drugs that will post articles submitted to them via e-mail anonymously. In other words if you would like to remain anonymous, write up your article, and e-mail it to one of these people prefaced with a note that you would like it posted anonymously: [note: the @layout.berkeley.edu addresses are so that you can e-mail the person, and not reveal your address even to them!] lamontg@milton.u.washington.edu (anonymous: ap.4497@layout.berkeley.edu) mikea@casbah.acns.nwu.edu zane@ddsw1.mcs.com (anonymous: ap.3684@layout.berkeley.edu) tms@flubber.cs.umd.edu ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you don't have net.access to alt.drugs, check out the pharm mailing list. From the canonical list of publicly accessable mailing lists on news.lists: }pharm } Contact: pharm-request@udel.edu } } Purpose: a mailing list digest version of "alt.drugs" restricted } to postings without repetitive political arguments or flames. } Political articles of particularly novel value and reports of } policy developments will be included. } } Under no circumstances will any message be passed along that may } be construed to be a solicitation to engage in any form of illegal } behavior. Also, you can post to alt.drugs by sending e-mail to: alt-drugs@ucbvax.berkeley.edu =============================================================================== From: alt.drugs Subject: Common Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and answers Last Updated: 2-7-91 1) HEY D00DZ, WHERE CAN I GET SOME KILLER WEED (or LSD, MDMA, etc)?!?!? 2) Do banana peels have hallucinogenic substances in them? [etc...] 3) Does LSD commonly have strychnine in it? [etc...] 4) How can I make LSD? [inc. warnings about The Anarchist Cookbook] 5) What is Ecstasy/MDMA/Adam? [and all kinds of related info on MDMA] 6) What does the acronym PDFA, DPA, etc mean? You can skip to a specific FAQ by searching for the regular expression '^x' where x is the number of the question you want to read. 1) HEY D00DZ, WHERE CAN I GET SOME KILLER WEED (or LSD, MDMA, etc)?!?!? Grow up, and get a life. Anyone stupid enough to setup a transaction over a public network (that could very easily be monitored by the FBI) deserves to get caught. Likewise, please don't send e-mail to the frequent posters (especially me), asking to purchase drugs. 2) Do banana peels have hallucinogenic substances in them? Can you get high by smoking banana peels? No. This is an urban legend which was started by the Berkeley _Barb_ in the late 60's. Sidney Cohen analyzed bananas and found that they contained no hallucinogenic substances. Also, rumors that you can smoke peanut shells to get high, are most likely a spin-off of the banana peel legend. Instructions in The Anarchist Cookbook on how to get high from banana peels are bogus (and if you do get some effect, then congratulations, you're a placebo responder). 3) Does LSD commonly have strychnine in it? It strychnine the cause of cramps/nausea on an LSD trip? Does strychnine cause the "tracers" from an LSD trip? etc... Your chances of getting strychnine contaminated _blotter_ LSD, are probably about the same as your chances of getting hit by a piece of the wing sheared off of a passing 747. Strychnine is not the cause of tracers, cramps, nausea, or amphetamine-like LSD-effects. Strychnine is not needed to bond the LSD to blotter paper. Pure LSD tartrate/maleate gets absorbed on blotter quite efficiently all by itself. Any chemist competent enough to manufacture LSD would know that Strychnine is not needed to produce LSD, therefore there is no Strychnine "added" in the process of manufacture. "Cutting" LSD with Strychnine would be utterly ludicrous due to the expense of Strychnine, and the ease of "cutting" LSD with the solvent of your choice, before depositing it on the paper. Its much more likely that if someone is going to try and rip someone off, that they'll just pass off blank blotter paper -- its *so* much easier than trying to lace LSD with strychnine. There have been several other theories to explain the existance of Strychnine in LSD. They all, however, fall short in one very critical test. There are no reports that can be found of Strychnine poisoning due to the ingestion of laced LSD. If Strychnine was on LSD, and given Strychnine's high toxicity, and given the number of people who take rather insane (>100 hits) of LSD, there should be acid-heads dropping like flies from strychnine poisoning. This has not been reported, therefore the likelyhood of strychnine laced LSD being sold on the illegal market is small. And, finally, there have been analysis of street drugs samples which have never turned up a sample of strychnine laced LSD. The only reports are a few anecdotal ones, and the report in _LSD: My Problem Child_. It should be noted that in _LSD:MPC_ the "LSD" was being sold as a "white powder". The lesson is to only buy blotter LSD -- its very, very hard to fit enough adulterants onto a small square of blotter to effect a person. LSD can only be distributed in this manner because its effective dose is in the 50-200 microgram range. Its possible that poorly synthesized LSD might have other ergot derivatives in it. This *MAY* be the cause of the various adverse effects that people report on LSD. Its also entirely likely that the adverse effects to LSD are simply due to the psychological stress of taking LSD. Also, advice would be to avoid methylxanthines (caffiene, theophylline in chocolate, etc) prior to dosing. There may be a synergistic effect between them and LSD causing, or contributing, to the "strychnine effect". And prior use of dramamine may alleviate the nausea sometimes associated with LSD. 4) How can I make LSD? And what about the instructions in The Anarchist Cookbook for making LSD? LSD is not easy to make. If you're seriously interested the various methods of synthesis can be found in chemistry journals (see the Merck Index for a list of references). Also, the book _Psychedelic Chemistry_ (available from Loompanics, Unld. -- see end of FAQ list) has some rather good, referenced info on how to synthesize LSD. However, do expect to be in *way* over your head unless you've had at least a few years of college chemistry. Please don't post asking for "simple" instructions on how to make LSD. There aren't. And if you *needed* "simple" instructions to make LSD, you're probably not a good chemist and shouldn't be attempting to synthesize it. Also, the synthesis instructions in The Anarchist Cookbook are about 90% bullshit. The "synthesis" given is at best a recipe for the extraction of Lysergic Acid Amides (which is not LSD), and some have commented that the instructions are still flawed and dangerous. Also, the reproduction of the patent on how to make LSD has reported to be flawed -- please don't trust the A.C and order the patent for yourself. The A.C. in general is something which is best to avoid. 5) What is Ecstasy? What is MDMA? What is Adam? What are the effects? Is it an aphrodisiac? Is it a designer drug? Does it cause Parkinson's disease? And does it dry up your spinal fluid? Ecstasy chemically is 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine or MDMA. Its also known as: MDM, M&M, Adam, XTC, X, M or E. Its is *NOT* the same as MDA, MDE ('Eve'), MMDA or MPTP (Although MDA, MDE and MMDA have effects that are similar to MDMA). It is chemically similar to methamphetamine but has a much different method of action. In large doses Ecstasy can cause hallucinations (and a chemical relative, MDA, causes hallucinations at lower doses), however it is not accurate to call it a hallucinogen. Since it tends to increase empathy and communication with no ego-disrupting effects, it has been labeled as either an "entactogen" or "empathogen". Based on its effects, there was some speculation that its was a chemical involved in the process of falling in love. This is incorrect, but its indicative of what the MDMA high feels like. MDMA is not chemically related to LSD, and really cannot be compared to LSD. "Bad Trips" on MDMA are extremely rare, and there is no ego disruption associated with an MDMA trip like there is in an LSD trip. From Ralph Metzner, presented in an address at a 1983 conference at the University of California, Santa Barbara on "Psychedelics and Spirituality": Another group of drugs are the phenethylamines, of which MDA [and MDMA] is an example. Instead of calling these "psychedelic drugs," I'd like to suggest the name "empathogenic." Empathogenic means "empathy generating." Everyone I've mentioned this name to thinks it is a good one. These drugs don't produce visions as LSD does. They don't produce multileveled thinking or objectivity toward your mind as LSD and the psychedelics do. They generate a profound state of empathy for self and other in the most general and profound terms. A state of empathy where the feeling is that the self, the other, and the world is basically good, is all right. This state can be referred to as the ground of being, the core of our being, a still point of our being. Then individuals using these substances in therapy can look at their own problems from the standpoint of stillness and empathy. They are able to do changework on themselves very rapidly, compared to ordinary therapy. MDMA also is not technically an aphrodisiac. It does not directly stimulate sexual desire, however its empathogenic effect does tend to lead to intimacy. It has been described as a "hug drug". From Buffman-J, Moser-C, "MDMA and Human Sexual Function" Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, Oct 1985: It appears that MDMA does not increase sexual excitation or sexual desire in a majority of individuals. For both males and females, MDMA enhances the sensual aspects of sex. This may be due to the increased feelings of emotional closeness. Almost half of the males and a third of the females indicated that they felt more receptive to being sexual while under the influence of MDMA, but this effect was not paralleled by an increased interest in initiating sexual activity in either the men or the women. While a majority indicated that they would use MDMA as a sexual enhancer, most of the subjects who had used MDMA during sex reported increased emotional closeness. It is curious that a drug, which can increase emotional closeness, enhance receptivity to being sexual and would be chosen as a sexual enhancer, does not increase the desire to have sex. The subjects who were surveyed found that MDMA makes orgasm more difficult to achieve, especially for males. Erectile ability was decreased in almost half the males. No other sexual effects occurred in a majority of subjects. It is not a "Designer Drug" created during the 80's by underground chemists. It was first synthesized in 1914, and was used recreationally prior to the 1980's. MDMA does *NOT* cause Parkinson's disease. This rumor was caused by an error by Shari Roan in the July 2, 1985 issue of the Dallas "Sun Sentinel". She incorrectly attributed this effect to MDMA, when in fact it is caused by MPTP, which is a by-product of the incorrect synthesis of an synthetic opiate. MPTP shares nothing in common with MDMA other than having an chemical abbreviation which begins with an 'M' and has four letters in it. Likewise, rumors that MDMA "dries up your spinal fluid" and similar rumors with respect to spinal fluid are incorrect. There have been studies which linked MDMA use to lower levels of 5-HIAA in cerebrospinal fluid, which is probably where this rumor originated. This is not as dramatic as it may sound and may be a spurious relationship, such that people with lower levels of 5-HIAA in their CSF are the ones more likely to use MDMA in the first place. But, it may be an indication of some neurotoxic effect of MDMA. However, the neurotoxic effect of MDMA disappears in laboratory animals at doses equivalent to human dose levels. Also, there are no known behavioral correlates to this hypothesized neurotoxicity, and an FDA-approved drug (fenfluramine) continues to be used chronicly with no reported adverse side effects, even though its causes similar types of neurotoxicity as MDMA. It should also be noted that alcohol is a drug which is also slightly neurotoxic, but that typically isn't a strong consideration of users while consuming it. Users, however, should be cautioned that MDMA may be neurotoxic and you're taking your own risks by injesting it. For more information on MDMA see the specific FAQ on Ecstasy (available via FTP -- see above). 6. What does the acronym [....] stand for? DARE: Drug Abuse Resistance Education (Gates' WoD group) DPF: Drug Policy Foundation (anti-WoD group) HBWR,HBWS: Hawaiian Baby Woodrose Seeds IMHO: In My [Humble, Honest] Opinion LAA: Lysergic Acid Amides LSA: Lysergic Acid Amides LSD: Lysergic Acid Diethylamide MDA: 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine MDMA: 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine N2O: Nitrous Oxide NO2: Nitrogen Dioxide (which is *quite* poisonous) NORML: National Organization to Reform Marijuana Laws PDFA,PTFA: Partnership for a [Drug, Truth]-Free America (anti-WoD) WoD,WoSD: War on (Some) Drugs WRT: With Respect To =============================================================================== From: alt.drugs Subject: Drug Myths Last Updated: 12-30-91 These are all a variety of things which commonly get passed off as "truth" by anti-drug groups, such as the PDFA, DEA, DARE, etc. I have included references for those interested in more information. MYTH: Marijuana causes brain damage or Marijuana gets between nerve synapses and "widens them up". This myth is based upon a study done by Robert G. Heath in the middle to late 1970's. Heath claimed to have found brain damage in the deep brain sites of three monkeys exposed to marijuana smoke and i.v. delta-9-THC (the active ingredient in marijuana). This study, however, has severe flaws in it. Most importantly is that Heath did not find any dead brain cells. He found "damage" such as a change in synaptic cleft width, and clumping of the synaptic vesicles. These changes are not well regarded as being indications of brain damage, and the methods used to determine that these changes took place were highly subject to bias--which Dr. Health did not control for. In fact the clumping of the synaptic vesicles, which Health claimed as being "brain damage", is a normal variant in the mammalian brain. Also, two studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1977, found no evidence of brain damage in the brains of heavy smokers using computerized tomography methods. National Academy of Sciences (U.S.). Institute of Medicine. Division of Health Sciences Policy. _Marijuana_and_Health_. Washington: National Academy Press. ISBN 0-309-03236-9. LC 81-86534. The following sections will be eventually included: (Whee, more vaporware... In the meantime see Paul Hager's marijuana myths paper at milton.u.washington.edu in /public/alt.drugs/marijuana-myths) MYTH: Marijuana causes reproductive system damage MYTH: Marijuana concentrates in the brain and reproductive organs MYTH: Marijuana causes breast enlargement in males MYTH: Marijuana causes immune system damage MYTH: Marijuana causes chromosome damage MYTH: Marijuana potency has increased 10 times since the 1960's MYTH: Marijuana is a gateway drug MYTH: Marijuana metabolites stay in your body for 30 days and "do things"... MYTH: Marijuana is more carcinogenic than tobacco MYTH: LSD causes chromosome damage MYTH: Designer Drugs -- Custom made chemicals of the '80s and '90s =============================================================================== From: alt.drugs Subject: Drug Testing FAQ Last Updated: 12-30-91 Beating Drug Metabolite tests (for informational purposes *only* of course). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- There are several commonly used drug metabolite tests: EMIT, RIA, Abuscreen, etc. All of these tests are reasonably easy to beat, given a little advance planning. First of all, the drug which is most easily tested for is marijuana -- its claimed that drug tests can detect marijuana use up to two months previous. By following the following guidelines, its frequently reported that non-chronic marijuana smoking two weeks prior to the test still resulted in a negative test result. Two weeks, however, is probably the minimum safety allowance. In order to prepare for a drug metabolite test, make sure that you flush your system adequately. Every day prior to the test, drink at least eight glasses of liquid (preferably water). Do *NOT*, however, do this to excess -- you can end up with water intoxication, and people have actually overdosed and died off of water. On the day of the test, you likewise need to dilute your urine by drinking water -- drink 4-6 glasses or so, and piss until your urine turns clear. When its clear that means that the concentration of all the solutes in the urine is lower *including* the drug metabolites. This process can be aided by taking some caffiene, or the prescription diuretic Lasix (again, don't overdo anything -- there is nothing to be gained by drinking more water/taking more diuretics -- 80mg Lasix should be quite sufficient). The clear dilute urine can also be masked by taking Vitamin B-2 which will color it and make it less suspicious (use 50-100mg). Should you fail the initial test you will most likely be required to have a confirmatory GC/MS test. For this test, the best precautions are abstinence and prayer. You should not smoke between the time you get tested for the first time and the results come back -- if they're positive and you have to take a GC/MS test, you will be screwed. GC/MS tests are much more sensitive than the preliminary immunoassays. There are several substances, some marketed commercially, which are reported to interfere with the immunoassays to give a negative test result. Generally, these are treated with some skepticism (but if you really feel like trying them...). In particular, vinegar and phenylpropanolamine (Dexatrim) do not work. Zinc Sulfate is reported to work -- take 250mg the night before, and a few hours before the test -- DO NOT TAKE ANY MORE OF THIS CHEMICAL. Also the following two products claim to be effective screens: Test Free -- Zydot Unlimited Inc. Box 9485 Tulsa OK 74157 (918) 747-2400 Naturally Klean -- Houston Enterprises PO Box 27776 Tempe AZ 85285 (602) 968-0773 As a last resort, piss tests can be doped with chemicals. Bleach detergent, blood, Draino crystals are reported to work at least on the EMIT test (I would not expect them to interfere at all on the GC/MS tests). Its apparently not necessary to spike it with a large quantity, and the chemicals will noticably effect the urine and could be detected. For more information see Abbie Hoffman's book "Steal this Urine Test". ============================================================================== From: alt.drugs Subject: Information/Organizations Last Updated: 1-18-91 This list is composed entirely out of postings from the net. I don't guarantee anything about the organizations, their addresses or their descriptions. However, these are all organizations that are typically recommended on the net. Corrections or updates would be *MOST* appreciated. Drug Policy Foundation 4801 Massachusetts Ave., NW., Suite 400 Washington, DC 20016-2087 (202) 895-1634 Desc: The DPF supports legalization of cannabis and medicalization or legalization of harder drugs. They are a more mainstream organization than NORML. The Albert Hofmann Foundation 1341 Ocean Avenue, Suite 300 Santa Monica, CA 90401 (213) 281-8110 Desc: Educational group building a library on research done on consciousness, including LSD studies. Free newsletter is available. National Organization to Reform Marijuana Laws (NORML) 1636 R St., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009 (202) 483-5500 Desc: This really shouldn't need any description NOTE: Another address I've got is: 2001 'S' Street, NW Suite 640, DC 20009 National Drug Strategy Network 2000 L St., N.W., Suite 702 Washington, D.C. 20036 Desc: ??? Alliance for Cannabis Therapeutics (ACT) PO Box 21210 Kalorama Station Washington, DC 20009 (202) 483-8595 Desc: Physicians who want broader ability to use cannabis therapeutically Books-by-Phone Box 522 Berkeley CA 94701 (800) 858-2665 USA (800) 992-2665 CA (415) 548-2124 INFO Call for FREE Catalog Desc: They Carry the following titles among others: "The Controlled Substances Act" [Shulgin's reference on drugs & laws] "Psychedelic Chemistry" [synthesis instructions - recommended] "Ecstasy: The MDMA Story" [recommended] "Mushroom Cultivator" "Cocaine Handbook: An Essential Reference" "Marijuana Botany: Cultivation and Breeding of Cannabis" "Steal this Urine Test" by Abbie Hoffman "Designer Drugs" [Ecstasy, crack, china white, PCP, etc] "History of Psychoactive Plants" "War on Drugs: Heroin, Cocaine, Crime and Public Policy" "Through the Gateway of the Heart" [experiences with MDMA] Loompanics Unlimited P.O. Box 1197 Port Townsend, WA 98368 Desc: Booksellers. They stock "Psychedelic Chemistry" and "The Design and Construction of Clandestine Drug Laboratories" among other somewhat anarchistic books. $3 for a catalog. The Twentieth Century Alchemist P.O. Box 1684 Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 Desc: Booksellers. They stock "Basic Drug Manufacture", "The Book of Acid", "The Art and Science of Cooking with Cannabis" and "Growing the Hallucinogens" among others. $1 for a catalog.