DESCRIPTION
Methamphetamine is a synthetic stimulant commonly used as a recreational drug. It is legally prescribed as a treatment for ADD under the brand name Desoxyn, for both children and adults. On the street, it is generally found as an odorless, white or off-white, bitter-tasting powder, though it is also found in pills, capsules and larger crystals. It is frequently snorted, but is also used orally, smoked, and injected.
Methamphetamine production is a relatively simple process, especially when compared to many other recreational drugs. It is frequently reported on in the media when home meth-producing labs are busted.
Law
Methamphetamine is Schedule II in the United States, meaning that it is illegal to buy, sell, or possess without a prescription. It is legally controlled in most countries, although it has medical uses, so it is also available by prescription in many places.
Chemistry
Powder methamphetamine is the hydrochloride salt form which is strongly hydrophilic (absorbs water from the air quickly). The HCl salt is smokable as is. Crystal meth "Crystal Meth" or "Ice" refer to methamphetamine grown into crystals. Though many people believe that Crystal Meth is the freebase form of methamphetamie HCl, this is not true. Methamphetamine is smokable in its normal HCL form, but taking the time to grow it into crystals makes it easier to smoke. Meth in visible crystals (rather than powder) is likely to be relatively pure as it is difficult to grow crystals from impure material. Methamphetamine freebase is an oil and is uncommon on the street.
Production
The production of Methamphetamine is a fairly simple process which makes it easy to produce in makeshift home laboratories.
History
While Amphetamine was first synthesized in 1887 in Germany, methamphetamine wasn't synthesized until 1919 in Japan.
Slang
The Substance : methamphetamine, meth, crystal meth, speed, ice, crank, glass, uppers, yaba, shabu shabu
The Experience :
EFFECTS
Onset
Oral use takes about half an hour to produce effects. When smoked, effects are almost instantaneous, and nearly as quick when snorted.
Duration
4-8 hours when smoked.
The Experience
PROBLEMS
Methamphetamine use generally increases the heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and rate of breathing of the user. Chronic use can lead to what is called 'Amphetamine Psychosis', resulting in paranoia, auditory and visual hallucinations, self-absorption, irritability, aggressive and erratic behavior, and picking at the skin. This can be magnified by lack of sleep which often accompanies heavy use of meth.
Methamphetamine is an anorexant, meaning it causes most people to lose interest in food. This is considered a benefit for many light users, but in regular or heavy users can lead to malnutrition. Methamphetamine is also believed to be neurotoxic.
Addiction Potential
Methamphetamine causes significant tolerance, as well as psychological dependence. This combination can be particularly bad because the user is likely to have strong cravings for more meth, while at the same time being unable to reach a satisfactory high. Withdrawal from high doses can produce severe depression.
Contraindications
Do not take Methamphetamine if you are currently taking an MAOI. MAOIs are most commonly found in the prescription anti-depressants Nardil (phenelzine), Parnate (tranylcypromine), Marplan (isocarboxazid), Eldepryl (l-deprenyl), and Aurorex or Manerix (moclobemide). Ayahuasca also contains MAOIs (harmine and harmaline). MAOIs and Methamphetamin are a potentially dangerous combination. Check with your doctor if you are not sure whether your prescription medication is an MAOI.
Individuals with heart disease (i.e. erteriosclerosis, hypertension) should be extremely careful as Methamphetamine use can be hard on the heart.
Research shows that amphetamines used during pregnancy may decrease the birthweight of the baby as well as increasing the liklihood of cardiac abnormalities (heart problems) and possibly other birth defects.
Methamphetamine is believed to be transferred through breast milk, so use while breast feeding is a bad idea.
DESCRIPTION
GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate) is a naturally occurring component of human cells. It is used most commonly in the form of a chemical salt (Na-GHB or K-GHB) which is taken recreationally as a depressant with effects quite similar to those of alcohol. These salts are powders but are most often mixed with water for recreational use. While GHB is most notorious for a few cases where it has been given to unsuspecting individuals, it is more commonly used as a recreational intoxicant like alcohol, as a sleep-aid, or as a supplement by body-builders.
One of the major concerns with GHB is that the recreational dosage range is narrow and even small overdoses can cause temporary unrousable unconsciousness (a type of coma) and large overdoses (poisonings) can be life-threatening. There are two other chemicals which are used as GHB equivalents: 1,4-butanediol and gamma butyrlactone.
Dose
A standard recreational dose of pure GHB powder is between 1 - 3 g, though some people use as much as 4-5 grams in a single dose: especially frequent users who have developed a tolerance. Unfortunately, GHB is most frequently found in liquid form of widely variable concentration. 1 gram of GHB powder can be dissolved into as little as 1 ml of water (this makes 5 g per tsp) or a much greater volume and there is virtually no way to tell the concentration once it's in liquid form. The only way to know the concentration of liquid GHB is to know and trust information provided by the source. Users should be extremely careful about GHB dosages as even small overdoses can result in temporarily unrousable sleep.
Price
When purchased in single doses at a club, GHB is generally sold for a couple of dollars per dose. When purchased in larger quantities (or in kits before it became illegal) it is available for $10-$50 per 100 grams.
Law
GHB is illegal to possess or sell in the United States. It became schedule I (federally) in March, 2000 though it was scheduled in many states between 1997 and 1999. Gamma butyrlactone (GBL) is not federally scheduled but is now a list 1 chemical requiring that paperwork be filed for large sales. GBL is scheduled in some states.
Chemistry
GHB is most commonly produced by combining gamma butyrlactone and a strong base such as sodium hydroxide (lye). These two substances react chemically and form the unique chemical GHB.
History
GHB was developed in the early 60s as a human anesthetic, but was discontinued due to unwanted side effects. It's use as a sleep aid and body building supplement in the 80s and as a recreational psychoactive in the 90s led to it being scheduled in the U.S. in March of 2000.
Slang
Common Slang : GHB, G, Liquid X, Liquid E, GBH, Gamma-oh, Blue Verve
Other names used in the media include : Grievous Bodily Harm, Georgia home boy, Goop, EZLay
EFFECTS
Onset
As with alcohol and many other substances, the onset of GHB will be affected by how much and how recently one has eaten. Generally this will be between 10-20 minutes.
Duration
The primary effects of GHB last approximately 1 ½ hours. For many people there is an additional period of time (1-2 hrs) of more subtle effects. Some recreational users consume GHB in a manner similar to alcohol, sipping it slowly over an evening rather than drinking a full dose all at once. In this case the duration will be longer as the period of ingestion is stretched out over time.
The Experience
The effects of GHB at recreational doses are physically quite similar to those of alcohol. At lower doses effects include relaxation, reduction of social inhibitions, decreased motor skills, mood lift and other effects similar to mild alcohol intoxication. At higher recreational doses effects can include dizziness, difficulty focusing the eyes, positive mood changes, increased appreciation of music, dancing, and talking, slurring of speech, nausea, and grogginess. The line between high recreational dose and overdose can be a narrow one. At the overdose level, individuals may experience extreme grogginess (nodding in and out of consciousness) or unconsciousness, extreme dizziness and disorientation, and vomiting. During higher overdoses (poisonings), users may experience unconsciousness, convulsions, vomiting, and potentially depressed breathing.
PROBLEMS
Unfortunately, GHB has a few prominent problems which, in combination, can be quite dangerous. The difference between a recreational dose and a mild overdose (temporarily unrousable sleep) can be as little as 1-2 grams, the equivalent of a single dosage unit. Combining GHB with alcohol can lead to overdoses at even lower levels. Also, because GHB generally comes in liquid form and because the concentration of this liquid is difficult to determine, it is relatively common for people to accidentally take a larger dose of GHB than they think they are taking. Everyone thinks it can't happen to them, but people should be extremely careful about knowing the concentration of the material they use and about measurement techniques. GHB should be stored in a container which could never be mistaken for a beverage container and liquid GHB should be colored blue so it can not be mistaken for water. Powdered GHB is much less likely to be accidentally ingested.
In addition to the problems around dosage, GHB also has a problem with the specific effects of an overdose. At higher overdose levels, GHB can produce both unconsciousness and vomiting. This can be an extremely dangerous combination. Vomiting while laying unconscious on one's back can lead to aspiration (inhalation) of the vomit which can cause suffocation. Individuals who are unconscious and vomiting should be turned on their side and their airway cleared so they do not inhale their vomit, and should be constantly monitored until help arrives or they become conscious. People who find themselves alone in this situation should try to position themselves so vomit inhalation can not happen if they fall unconscious.
Beyond the respiration of vomit, it has been suggested that GHB poisonings (high overdoses) can cause death but this is not a well understood or researched issue. The DEA reports over 60 GHB related deaths in the U.S. over the past 5 years, about 2/3 of these are poly-drug mortalities while 1/3 are GHB only.
Another problem associated with GHB is the issue of rape & assault that goes along with chemicals which can be added to drinks and given to unsuspecting victims.
Addiction Potential
The addiction potential of GHB is not well known, but from reports it appears that GHB can be both physically addicting and mentally habituating for a small percentage of users. We have received reports from a few individuals of severe withdrawal symptoms lasting for several days following repeated daily use. These symptoms include a strong desire to repeat the experience, difficulty sleeping, vertigo, and worrisome chest pains. We have not received any reports from users who find it difficult to stay off GHB once the withdrawal period is over.
Contraindications
Do not mix GHB with Alcohol. This can be an extremely dangerous combination.
Avoid mixing GHB with other depressants such as sleep aids and opiates.
It's so damn clear, you can finally look at an image of freshly harvested kind bud, and see all the tantalizing red hairs, the beads of resin, and the THC crystals. It would be mouth watering indeed, if not for the cottonmouth effect!
I bet this will be awesome when I'm rolling on Ecstasy. Maybe candyflip with some acid, too, and then play Wave Race as it was meant to be experienced!
I like alcohol. I'm sure many of you do too. Well, if you like alcohol, you will shit your pants when you disover GHB.
That's right people, a well measured dose of gamma-hydroxy-butate will give you all the pleasant euphoric effects of alcohol, but without the hangover!!
It's not just for ravers anymore... GHB is the way to go for anyone who likes a safe intoxication. Go get some today, and you'll never go back to alcohol!
I deal with it by tuning out completely. This usually involves drugs of some sort.
I highly recommend that you all go out and find some acid and E, and take them together. This is commonly known as "candyflipping", and is a much more rewarding experience than bitching about meaningless crap on Slashdot.
You need to get a life, and by 'a life' I mean 'high'.
Slashdot Mirror
I was gonna get first post,
But then I got high.
Now I'm posting late in the thread
And I know why...
Because I got High, Because I got High, Because I got High.
DESCRIPTION
Methamphetamine is a synthetic stimulant commonly used as a recreational drug. It is legally prescribed as a treatment for ADD under the brand name Desoxyn, for both children and adults. On the street, it is generally found as an odorless, white or off-white, bitter-tasting powder, though it is also found in pills, capsules and larger crystals. It is frequently snorted, but is also used orally, smoked, and injected.
Methamphetamine production is a relatively simple process, especially when compared to many other recreational drugs. It is frequently reported on in the media when home meth-producing labs are busted.
Law
Methamphetamine is Schedule II in the United States, meaning that it is illegal to buy, sell, or possess without a prescription. It is legally controlled in most countries, although it has medical uses, so it is also available by prescription in many places.
Chemistry
Powder methamphetamine is the hydrochloride salt form which is strongly hydrophilic (absorbs water from the air quickly). The HCl salt is smokable as is. Crystal meth "Crystal Meth" or "Ice" refer to methamphetamine grown into crystals. Though many people believe that Crystal Meth is the freebase form of methamphetamie HCl, this is not true. Methamphetamine is smokable in its normal HCL form, but taking the time to grow it into crystals makes it easier to smoke. Meth in visible crystals (rather than powder) is likely to be relatively pure as it is difficult to grow crystals from impure material. Methamphetamine freebase is an oil and is uncommon on the street.
Production
The production of Methamphetamine is a fairly simple process which makes it easy to produce in makeshift home laboratories.
History
While Amphetamine was first synthesized in 1887 in Germany, methamphetamine wasn't synthesized until 1919 in Japan.
Slang
The Substance : methamphetamine, meth, crystal meth, speed, ice, crank, glass, uppers, yaba, shabu shabu
The Experience :
EFFECTS
Onset
Oral use takes about half an hour to produce effects. When smoked, effects are almost instantaneous, and nearly as quick when snorted.
Duration
4-8 hours when smoked.
The Experience
PROBLEMS
Methamphetamine use generally increases the heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and rate of breathing of the user. Chronic use can lead to what is called 'Amphetamine Psychosis', resulting in paranoia, auditory and visual hallucinations, self-absorption, irritability, aggressive and erratic behavior, and picking at the skin. This can be magnified by lack of sleep which often accompanies heavy use of meth.
Methamphetamine is an anorexant, meaning it causes most people to lose interest in food. This is considered a benefit for many light users, but in regular or heavy users can lead to malnutrition. Methamphetamine is also believed to be neurotoxic.
Addiction Potential
Methamphetamine causes significant tolerance, as well as psychological dependence. This combination can be particularly bad because the user is likely to have strong cravings for more meth, while at the same time being unable to reach a satisfactory high. Withdrawal from high doses can produce severe depression.
Contraindications
Do not take Methamphetamine if you are currently taking an MAOI. MAOIs are most commonly found in the prescription anti-depressants Nardil (phenelzine), Parnate (tranylcypromine), Marplan (isocarboxazid), Eldepryl (l-deprenyl), and Aurorex or Manerix (moclobemide). Ayahuasca also contains MAOIs (harmine and harmaline). MAOIs and Methamphetamin are a potentially dangerous combination. Check with your doctor if you are not sure whether your prescription medication is an MAOI.
Individuals with heart disease (i.e. erteriosclerosis, hypertension) should be extremely careful as Methamphetamine use can be hard on the heart.
Research shows that amphetamines used during pregnancy may decrease the birthweight of the baby as well as increasing the liklihood of cardiac abnormalities (heart problems) and possibly other birth defects.
Methamphetamine is believed to be transferred through breast milk, so use while breast feeding is a bad idea.
DESCRIPTION
GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate) is a naturally occurring component of human cells. It is used most commonly in the form of a chemical salt (Na-GHB or K-GHB) which is taken recreationally as a depressant with effects quite similar to those of alcohol. These salts are powders but are most often mixed with water for recreational use. While GHB is most notorious for a few cases where it has been given to unsuspecting individuals, it is more commonly used as a recreational intoxicant like alcohol, as a sleep-aid, or as a supplement by body-builders.
One of the major concerns with GHB is that the recreational dosage range is narrow and even small overdoses can cause temporary unrousable unconsciousness (a type of coma) and large overdoses (poisonings) can be life-threatening. There are two other chemicals which are used as GHB equivalents: 1,4-butanediol and gamma butyrlactone.
Dose
A standard recreational dose of pure GHB powder is between 1 - 3 g, though some people use as much as 4-5 grams in a single dose: especially frequent users who have developed a tolerance. Unfortunately, GHB is most frequently found in liquid form of widely variable concentration. 1 gram of GHB powder can be dissolved into as little as 1 ml of water (this makes 5 g per tsp) or a much greater volume and there is virtually no way to tell the concentration once it's in liquid form. The only way to know the concentration of liquid GHB is to know and trust information provided by the source. Users should be extremely careful about GHB dosages as even small overdoses can result in temporarily unrousable sleep.
Price
When purchased in single doses at a club, GHB is generally sold for a couple of dollars per dose. When purchased in larger quantities (or in kits before it became illegal) it is available for $10-$50 per 100 grams.
Law
GHB is illegal to possess or sell in the United States. It became schedule I (federally) in March, 2000 though it was scheduled in many states between 1997 and 1999. Gamma butyrlactone (GBL) is not federally scheduled but is now a list 1 chemical requiring that paperwork be filed for large sales. GBL is scheduled in some states.
Chemistry
GHB is most commonly produced by combining gamma butyrlactone and a strong base such as sodium hydroxide (lye). These two substances react chemically and form the unique chemical GHB.
History
GHB was developed in the early 60s as a human anesthetic, but was discontinued due to unwanted side effects. It's use as a sleep aid and body building supplement in the 80s and as a recreational psychoactive in the 90s led to it being scheduled in the U.S. in March of 2000.
Slang
Common Slang : GHB, G, Liquid X, Liquid E, GBH, Gamma-oh, Blue Verve
Other names used in the media include : Grievous Bodily Harm, Georgia home boy, Goop, EZLay
EFFECTS
Onset
As with alcohol and many other substances, the onset of GHB will be affected by how much and how recently one has eaten. Generally this will be between 10-20 minutes.
Duration
The primary effects of GHB last approximately 1 ½ hours. For many people there is an additional period of time (1-2 hrs) of more subtle effects. Some recreational users consume GHB in a manner similar to alcohol, sipping it slowly over an evening rather than drinking a full dose all at once. In this case the duration will be longer as the period of ingestion is stretched out over time.
The Experience
The effects of GHB at recreational doses are physically quite similar to those of alcohol. At lower doses effects include relaxation, reduction of social inhibitions, decreased motor skills, mood lift and other effects similar to mild alcohol intoxication. At higher recreational doses effects can include dizziness, difficulty focusing the eyes, positive mood changes, increased appreciation of music, dancing, and talking, slurring of speech, nausea, and grogginess. The line between high recreational dose and overdose can be a narrow one. At the overdose level, individuals may experience extreme grogginess (nodding in and out of consciousness) or unconsciousness, extreme dizziness and disorientation, and vomiting. During higher overdoses (poisonings), users may experience unconsciousness, convulsions, vomiting, and potentially depressed breathing.
PROBLEMS
Unfortunately, GHB has a few prominent problems which, in combination, can be quite dangerous. The difference between a recreational dose and a mild overdose (temporarily unrousable sleep) can be as little as 1-2 grams, the equivalent of a single dosage unit. Combining GHB with alcohol can lead to overdoses at even lower levels. Also, because GHB generally comes in liquid form and because the concentration of this liquid is difficult to determine, it is relatively common for people to accidentally take a larger dose of GHB than they think they are taking. Everyone thinks it can't happen to them, but people should be extremely careful about knowing the concentration of the material they use and about measurement techniques. GHB should be stored in a container which could never be mistaken for a beverage container and liquid GHB should be colored blue so it can not be mistaken for water. Powdered GHB is much less likely to be accidentally ingested.
In addition to the problems around dosage, GHB also has a problem with the specific effects of an overdose. At higher overdose levels, GHB can produce both unconsciousness and vomiting. This can be an extremely dangerous combination. Vomiting while laying unconscious on one's back can lead to aspiration (inhalation) of the vomit which can cause suffocation. Individuals who are unconscious and vomiting should be turned on their side and their airway cleared so they do not inhale their vomit, and should be constantly monitored until help arrives or they become conscious. People who find themselves alone in this situation should try to position themselves so vomit inhalation can not happen if they fall unconscious.
Beyond the respiration of vomit, it has been suggested that GHB poisonings (high overdoses) can cause death but this is not a well understood or researched issue. The DEA reports over 60 GHB related deaths in the U.S. over the past 5 years, about 2/3 of these are poly-drug mortalities while 1/3 are GHB only.
Another problem associated with GHB is the issue of rape & assault that goes along with chemicals which can be added to drinks and given to unsuspecting victims.
Addiction Potential
The addiction potential of GHB is not well known, but from reports it appears that GHB can be both physically addicting and mentally habituating for a small percentage of users. We have received reports from a few individuals of severe withdrawal symptoms lasting for several days following repeated daily use. These symptoms include a strong desire to repeat the experience, difficulty sleeping, vertigo, and worrisome chest pains. We have not received any reports from users who find it difficult to stay off GHB once the withdrawal period is over.
Contraindications
Do not mix GHB with Alcohol. This can be an extremely dangerous combination.
Avoid mixing GHB with other depressants such as sleep aids and opiates.
It's so damn clear, you can finally look at an image of freshly harvested kind bud, and see all the tantalizing red hairs, the beads of resin, and the THC crystals. It would be mouth watering indeed, if not for the cottonmouth effect!
Fuck! My bad! I shoulda noticed the red dots on this shit.
I always loved videogames. Hell, right now I'm chewing some "1-Up" mushrooms myself. I think I'm starting to grow bigger now...
I bet this will be awesome when I'm rolling on Ecstasy. Maybe candyflip with some acid, too, and then play Wave Race as it was meant to be experienced!
I like alcohol. I'm sure many of you do too. Well, if you like alcohol, you will shit your pants when you disover GHB.
That's right people, a well measured dose of gamma-hydroxy-butate will give you all the pleasant euphoric effects of alcohol, but without the hangover!!
It's not just for ravers anymore... GHB is the way to go for anyone who likes a safe intoxication. Go get some today, and you'll never go back to alcohol!
I deal with it by tuning out completely. This usually involves drugs of some sort.
I highly recommend that you all go out and find some acid and E, and take them together. This is commonly known as "candyflipping", and is a much more rewarding experience than bitching about meaningless crap on Slashdot.
You need to get a life, and by 'a life' I mean 'high'.