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| spud (profile) wrote, on 11-16-2006 at 5:10pm | |
| Current mood: nachdenklich Music: rockapella Subject: chemistry |
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| "Since their introduction, preparations containing the over-the-counter drug dextromethorphan have been used in a manner inconsistent with their labeling, often as a recreational drug or to induce intoxication (sometimes referred to as "robo-tripping"). Dextromethorphan has little to no psychological effect in the doses used medically, however alteration of consciousness generally occurs following ingestion of approximately 7 to 50 times the therapeutic dose over a relatively short period of time. [2] People who study the specific effects of psychotropic substances classify DXM as a dissociative drug, a major subclass of hallucinogenic drugs, along with Ketamine and Phencyclidine. It generally does not produce withdrawal symptoms characteristic of physically addictive substances, but psychological addiction has been reported by some users. DXM, when consumed in low recreational doses (usually under 200mg), is often described as having a buoyant, vaguely psychedelic effect similar to a mixture of alcohol, opiates, and marijuana. With higher doses, intense euphoria and vivid imagination may occur as bizarre feelings of dissociation increase. With very high doses, profound alterations in consciousness have been noted, and users often report out of body experiences or temporary psychosis. One of the unique features of a high dose DXM trip is the ability to relive past memories. [citation needed] Most users find such high doses to be extremely uncomfortable and most are unwilling to repeat it. Flanging (speeding up or slowing down) of sensory input also occurs, which is another unique feature of high dose DXM trips. In 1981, a paper by Gosselin estimated the lethal dose between 50 and 500 mg/kg. Individual reactions to recreational doses of Dextromethorphan vary widely. Some find the effects of the drug to be immensely pleasurable, similar to a combination of opiates and hallucinogens, while others find that the drug produces dysphoria, panic, or dread. Physical side effects that can occur after ingestion of recreational doses of DXM include a blotchy skin rash, itching (sometimes referred to as "robo itch," short for "Robitussin itch"), and sweating. Many people vomit from recreational doses or feel ill for the first part of the “trip”. When taken in higher doses, physical side effects can include dilated pupils, difficulty urinating, increased urination frequency, extreme diarrhea, fever, tachycardia, loss of appetite, shakiness, seizures, and possible coma and death (however, in pure DXM, this has only been reported when doses exceed 2,000 mg)." --------------------------------------------------- "Tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC, Δ9-THC, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), Δ¹-tetrahydrocannabinol (using an older numbering scheme), or dronabinol, is the main psychoactive substance found in the Cannabis plant. It was isolated by Raphael Mechoulam and Yechiel Gaoni from the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot, Israel in 1964. In pure form it is a glassy solid when cold and becomes viscous and sticky if warmed. THC has a very low solubility in water, but a good solubility in most organic solvents such as ethanol or hexane. As in the case of nicotine and caffeine, THC's most likely function in Cannabis is to protect the plant from herbivores or pathogens [1]. ... Its pharmacological actions are the result of its binding to the cannabinoid receptor CB1, located in the brain. The presence of these specialized receptors in the brain implied to researchers that endogenous cannabinoids were manufactured by the body, so the search began for a substance normally manufactured in the brain that binds to these receptors, the so-called natural ligand or agonist, leading to the eventual discovery of anandamide, 2 arachidonyl glyceride (2-AG) and other related compounds. This story resembles the discovery of the endogenous opiates (endorphins, enkephalins, and dynorphin), after the realization that morphine and other opiates bound to specific receptors in the brain. THC has analgesic effects even at low doses that do not cause a "high", and cannabis was once commonly used to treat pain. Other effects include: relaxation; euphoria; altered space-time perception; alteration of visual, auditory, and olfactory senses; disorientation; fatigue; and appetite stimulation. It also has anti-emetic properties, and also may reduce aggression in certain subjects." ---------------------------------- "In the kitchen, alcoholic beverages are added to dishes not only for their inherent flavors, but also because the alcohol dissolves flavor compounds that water cannot. Ethanol is commonly used in beverages to promote flavor, reduce social inhibitions, or induce a euphoric intoxication commonly known as drunkenness. ... Ethanol is a drug, with potential for overdose or toxic poisoning if taken in excessive quantities. Alcoholism, the physiological or psychological dependency on ethanol, is one of the most common drug addictions (caffeine causes chemical dependency, but not the mental longing known as addiction) in the world. Upon cessation or decrease of use, the physiological dependency can lead to physical withdrawal symptoms, such as restlessness, trouble sleeping, "the shakes," or even death. Not everyone who abuses alcohol becomes physiologically dependent upon it, but can become psychologically addicted to it, similar to marijuana. Psychological addiction produces no physical withdrawal symptoms upon cessation of drinking alcohol, but the urge, or craving, to drink again can become quite intense and irresistible." ------------------------------------------ "In low doses, nutmeg produces no noticeable physiological or neurological response. Large doses of 7.5 g or more are dangerous, potentially inducing convulsions, palpitations, nausea, eventual dehydration, and generalized body pain. In amounts of 1.0 g or more it is a mild to medium hallucinogen, producing visual distortions and a mild euphoria. Nutmeg contains chemicals called MAO inhibitors (MAOIs), which disable the brain's ability to stop amines, found in most common foods, from affecting the brain and body. A test was carried out on the substance which showed that, when ingested in large amounts, nutmeg takes on a similar chemical make-up to MDMA (ecstasy). However, use of nutmeg as a recreational drug is unpopular, because of its strong taste and sand-like texture. Also there are potential painful physical side effects, the risk of Nutmeg Psychosis (see below) and the inconveniently long span for which the effects of a single dose can persist. A user will not experience a peak until approximately six hours after ingestion, and effects can linger for up to three days afterwards. Any unpleasant side-effects would persist throughout this period. [citation needed] A risk in any large-quantity ingestion of nutmeg is the sudden onset of Nutmeg Psychosis, an acute psychiatric disorder marked by hallucinations, excitement, thought disorder, a sense of impending death and agitation. Some cases have resulted in hospitalization and reportedly few who have experienced the effects of nutmeg poisoning recommend it or repeat the experience. [citation needed] Even in smaller doses, nutmeg can still be toxic. Ingestion of as little as 3 g may cause dry mouth, fast pulse, fever, flushing and posibly death. It has amphetamine-like effects and may cause the desire to ingest of large volumes of water. There is no specific antidote; the adverse effects wear off after 24 hours (or more) of rest. [citation needed] Nutmeg is extremely toxic when injected intravenously. Nutmeg can also cause liver damage if used regularly in large quantities. Nutmeg has in the past been used as an abortifacient. Nutmeg may also be fatal if used regularly in large quantities, but this is not a problem while cooking, since small amounts are used. [citation needed]" ------------------------------------ okay, so i'm a dork, but still, it's interesting stuff. |
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tabletop | 11-16-06 7:45pm The stuff on robotripping was interesting, because I didn't know anything about it. |