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Showing content with the highest reputation since 10/11/2023 in Posts

  1. I learnt that after all the years i that most of you are A O K.
    6 points
  2. No rest for fiends like me I've tried to compile lots of my research into a website for anyone who's bored out of their brains/curious. Alchemica's Research Lair - Phytopharmacology (site123.me)
    5 points
  3. Yet another reason why the people should be allowed to grow their own mushrooms at home. Safety from predatory therapists and venture capitalists.
    4 points
  4. hey guys just a heads up that old mate wont be at the market this weekend either. he has a gumtree ad that he updates weekly n you can check availability that way. its way too hot at the moment n hes staying home to tend to things. i sell plants as well but have been taking a break the past few months due to a death in the family, but am gearing up again. if you msg me with what youre after ill let you know. ive got all the usual suspects plus a few other guys like ginger, white sapote, aji chillies. oh n ive got a heap of cactus needing new homes. some bigger guys plus a bunch of year-old seedlings in tubs. this heat is doing my head in by now n i need to thin out the collection again so im not running around watering all day
    4 points
  5. Hey all. After really enjoying the Corroboree over ten years ago I slipped off the radar once my kids came along and I became the primary care-giver, but I tried to kick-start my presence a few years ago just before I lost my home computer. Since then I've had a replacement (couldn't use my VPNed work one because NSFW...) and I'm finally getting around to relaunching here. If any of my old buddies are around - hi! And if there are any newer Tassie members who might like to get in touch - hi, too! There are a few plants that I'll be posting about soon - looking, or to pass on, so watch these spaces... It's so bloody good to be back.
    4 points
  6. Be cool to do a joint SAB-APS meet-up/ picnic of sorts sometime … or a mushroom ID workshop/bush walk/camp when Sub season starts
    4 points
  7. Last of a batch. Best till last. PM if interested in trade.
    4 points
  8. Hi fine SAB folks. I do not get much time for writing but i did recently finish something many here might be interested in. Thanks to the SAB and EGA crew that help me on this also, full list of credits in the acknowledgement page for the article. It is a three-part series on Melbourne's Forgotten Psychedelic Era, we explore the city’s key role in the early days of psychedelic-assisted therapy, focusing on its historical and cultural context. I hope you enjoy it. Click on the titles below to access each part of the series. Part One: The Rise of Psychedelic Therapy The first section explores the initial optimism surrounding the use of psychedelics in therapy. Melbourne's Newhaven Private Hospital became a hub for this experimental approach, led by psychiatrists like Dr. Lance Howard Whitaker. The section highlights how these substances were seen as revolutionary tools for understanding and treating mental illnesses. It introduces key figures such as Albert Hofmann, who discovered LSD, and Dr. Stanislav Grof, a pioneer in psychedelic psychotherapy. However, as the substances gained popularity, societal and governmental backlash grew, leading to increasing regulation and eventual prohibition. Part Two: Personal Stories and Transformative Potential In Part Two of our recent series on Melbourne's Forgotten Psychedelic Era, we delve into the personal experiences of individuals like Evelyn Harrison, who underwent psilocybin-assisted therapy at Newhaven Private Hospital. Under the care of Dr. William Richards, Evelyn’s journey from severe postnatal depression to personal empowerment highlights the profound impact psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy can have when all the essential elements are in place. Dr. Howard Whitaker is also discussed in relation to Melbourne's first psychedelic trial at Newhaven. Evelyn’s story is a cornerstone of the article, offering a unique glimpse into the transformative potential of psychedelics and providing a rich perspective on Melbourne's psychedelic history. Part Three: The Dark Side and Lessons Learned In the final chapter of our series on Melbourne's Forgotten Psychedelic Era, we delve into the darker aspects of this period, focusing on the involvement of The Family cult. Led by Anne Hamilton-Byrne, the cult infiltrated Newhaven Private Hospital, using LSD to manipulate and control its members. This misuse of psychedelics significantly contributed to the fear and mistrust that eventually led to the prohibition of these substances. This concluding section also reflects on the ethical failures of the era's psychiatric practices, underscoring the importance of learning from these past mistakes as Australia navigates its current psychedelic renaissance. The article explores how these historical events continue to shape modern attitudes toward psychedelic therapy and the need for rigorous ethical standards in contemporary research. I hope you enjoy the articles 😃
    3 points
  9. Now's a good time to get these into cold stratification, in readiness for Spring. 4 lots of 20 seeds available. PM for details.
    3 points
  10. hi! i noticed since quite a while, that some men, when they talk to me, touch there genitals very briefly. they do that repeatedly, and i sometimes thought, they want me to look where, they touched them selfe, but i never do. maybe thats why they repeat the process? i never asked any of them why they do it, or if they even aware of it. it could be something close to a tick. some of them lived in my area, and when i met them, they always do the touching thing, which is slightly anoying. i sometimes thought is this a secret gay thing (i'm a bit a feminine male), but i know some of them are certainly hetro. has any of you noticed the same thing? is any of you a groin toucher? can any body shed light to this phenonoma.
    3 points
  11. Theres Aus shops like this Home - My Terpenes Australia For pinenes, I tend to use frankincence essential oil unless you can get the pure terpene - ~30-60% α-pinene. There seems to be different enantiomers in different oils which needs to be taken into account. Even between B. carterii and B. sacra there seems to be different pinene enantiomers. α-pinene: anti-inflammatory via PGE1, acetylcholinesterase inhibitor - aiding memory, positive modulator of GABAA receptors at BZD sites. α-pinene was observed to initiate soothing physiological and behavioural responses with a significant impact on physiological and psychological relaxation. (1R)-(+)-α-pinene was more prevalent than (1S)-(−)-α-pinene in pine oils (+)-α-Pinene was the predominant enantiomer in most rosemary, this is intriguing as (-)-α-pinene displays partial modulation of GABAA-BZD receptors and direct binding to the BZD binding site of GABAA receptor while the (+)- enantiomer is less characterised. α-Pinene shows anti-metastatic and anti-tumor activities. Moreover, it seems to be anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and an anti-allergic bronchodilator and can produce anxiolytic and hypnotic effects via the GABAergic system (α-PN shows anxiolytic and hypnotic effects upon inhaled administration. α-PN evokes its hypnotic action through direct binding to GABAA as a partial modulator at the benzodiazepine binding site
    3 points
  12. If you cover my cost for postage - I can send you cutting of Sceletium tortuosum Sceletium emarcidum Delosperma bosseranum Delosperma echinatum Trichodiadema stellatum Lampranthus spectabilis (red) Mesembryanthemum (Aptenia) cordifolium (purple) Message me if you are interested.
    3 points
  13. Haha Sorry to burst your bubble there is only one cristata the other 2 had been doused with BAP so maybe not in the true form of a cristata. As I said they have been neglected for some time hope you get to revive and enjoy them bud. All the best.
    3 points
  14. I would assume the consequences are 1. They lose their vote on the next issue. So that leaves the party less likely to be able to pass legislation. 2. They are penalised financially, either a fine or that week/month salary 3. They go on a public register. This could then be used to assess their character by the electorate come next election cycle. Failing that you could simply criminalise drinking or drug decision making in the same way it is for driving.
    3 points
  15. I once spoke to the chemist who discovered the active principle, karrikin, in the smoke water. The contraption he used to make the smoke burned, or more correctly heated to smoking point, filter paper! So even just paper smoke can work. More on Karrikins below https://bmcbiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12915-015-0219-0
    3 points
  16. I'm hopefully back after 10 years also. Welcome back brother.
    3 points
  17. It’s like a vortex, we all end up back here at some point. Lol. Good to see your name appear WoodDragon
    3 points
  18. Capitalism has always conspired with religion to claim spiritual monopoly. "Manifest destiny" shaped the course of American history: the bounty of a stolen continent was proof positive of God's blessing -- even if it meant decimating "pagan" Native America, and removing First Nations peoples to reservations that inspired Hitler's concentration camps. A light on the hill, and all that crap. "In God We Trust" is printed on American money. Go figure the biblical contradiction. Personally I don't see the inherent harm in attempting to "manifest" one's reality. It's called wishful thinking, or in some contexts, prayer. I'm also reminded of intention-setting during psychedelic healing sessions, and even of traditional San Pedro rituals in which material wealth was the desired goal. Apparently the curanderos didn't have a problem with it. The idea of Lord Elon tripping in order to dream up ever more nefarious ways of enslaving nature and humanity, on the other hand, I would strictly classify as black magic.
    3 points
  19. What, no one was interested in the 239 pages of correspondence between the organisation that must not be named and the TGA? Or the fact that, as of August 30 only one prescriber of psilocybin had been approved under the scheduling carve-out?
    3 points
  20. 3 points
  21. There are some very smart eggs using this site... And I'm not the only freak in the flock
    3 points
  22. Before i came across SAB all i knew of people that took/used substances from nature for one reason or another were pretty much just "deadbeat druggies", SAB has shown me that some people in to taking/using some substance from nature for whatever reason may very well be extremely intelligent and likely very productive people.
    3 points
  23. Desperation, sometimes. I had a San Pedro chunk around four inches long, it opted to throw a flower rather than produce roots or pups. Why, though, is probably anybody's guess.
    2 points
  24. the big advantage learning from sab, is that a lot of people have first hand experience, regarding the subjects. a lot of old style academic books contain, so many mistakes, which just get copied, from the new guy who, decides to write a book. most of this scholars as well make no adjustments for where you live. i point out for example two issues, first for example, poppies grown outside traditional poppy growing countries hardly produce opium... or "it's hard to understand, like the natives found out about the psychoactive properties of this plant". they say this because they never walked through a field of salvia, or smelled the plants on a hot day, when a little drizzle moistens the leaves. a lot of things you learn here a SAB one can as well, use as inspiration for similar things, like for example my heimia x-talls using only water, has been inspired partly by orbs salvia extraction. although he uses aceton and methilated spirits, and i use only water. but the main inspiration was to, add a layer of solvent (water is a solvent) without stirring the layer underneath it. the older posts of sab, are far more naughty, as the laws were not as strict yet. to search for older posts, it's good to use your search engine, plus the term shaman australis.
    2 points
  25. ok, so here's a story.... when i traded those lophs, i got several pm's claiming that 6 and 8cm lophs ar not big, and they are only interessted in "big" lophs. they whole thing reeked of, attempts to maybe say, you don't know what you are doing and i will not buy lophs of you, because they are small and not big, as you say. this naturaly, happend because, i once complained that somebody here, did not return all my lophs and never, gave me any money either as was agreed.... now, if i learned one thing of plants, than it could be, not to take attacks personely, and not to hold on to some upset. but rather learn or take something positive from it.... those people were driven by negative emotions, and by lack of knowledge! so i say as followes. lophs which grow bigger than 8cm and are fast growing in volume are called giants. so there privat message should have read, i only want to buy giant lophs, not i only want to buy big loph, larger than8cm or more. most lophs don't grow into giant sizes, but reach there maximum size, and than don't get any bigger, not even after 40years!! but it's said that at this time, i did not sell many giants, maybe some small giants. giants sell for 400 to 800aud and i only asked very little money for my cacti, so no giants. i have a few giants, and they are kept indoors, far away from the few other lophs i still got. the hope is to produce a lot of "giant" seeds. i sowed out some of those, seeds pollinated only by giants, a few weeks ago, wath this space for more info. i hope to be able to sell some giant seeds, and giants (but still small) grafted onto peres. financial interessts, i don't have. giant lophs
    2 points
  26. Have you tried this? https://www.protect-us.com.au/products/natural-mineral-snail-slug-killer
    2 points
  27. Nose-to-brain delivery of asarones for CNS conditions? Ayurvedic medicine and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) use Acorus preferably to treat central nervous system (CNS) related diseases such as epilepsy, insanity, mental weakness, or insomnia, Calamus has been widely used internally in both Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for degenerative central nervous system disorders associated with communication, focus, memory and learning but there are concerns regarding the safety of such orally. The ability of asarones to induce such a broad range of neurotrophic factors (NGF, BDNF, GDNF, CNTF in a dose-dependent manner), alongside other neuroprotective and neurorestorative pharmacological actions, intrigues me. Pharmacologically, α- and β-asarone at lower doses (<50 mg/kg) exhibits a wide range of therapeutic activities such as antidepressant, antianxiety, anti-Alzheimer, and anti-Parkinson effects [1]. Asarones as a therapeutic are limited by poor absolute bioavailability when administered orally, less than 10%, because it is highly lipophilic and has poor solubility in water, coupled with extensive gastrointestinal and/or hepatic first-pass metabolism. There are concerns potentially harmful effects, such as genotoxicity particularly through accumulation in the liver where "both α- and β-asarone can cause hepatomas and might possess mutagenic, genotoxic, carcinogenic, and teratogenic effects". Because the amounts of asarone accumulated in liver may reflect its hepatotoxicity, there is special significance to reducing the amount of asarone in liver. Efforts have been centred on exploring nose-to-brain delivery of asarones, particularly as nanoemulsions [1,2] In humans, 20mg asarone has been added to memantine for AD [3] "...intranasal administration of asarone showed significant nose-to-brain transport, especially in the olfactory bulb, and such treatment yields equivalent or higher concentrations in other brain tissues compared to intravenous or oral administration" I'm personally curious as to whether a simple spray of asarones emulsified in water with a polysorbate emulsifier, delivered via a nasal spray bottle may be simple enough to make a readily available nose-to-brain delivery system "polysorbates [are] a promising excipient to increase drug concentration in both plasma and brain via intranasal route". The main beneficial actions of asarones, as described by [1], are summarised as: " (1) antioxidant properties; (2) the regulation of various neuroprotective signaling pathways; (3) the reduction of aggregate formation and promotion of the clearance of pathogenic protein aggregates; (4) anti-inflammatory properties; (5) the inhibition of microglial activation; (6) the activation of NTFs-mediated neuroprotection; and (7) the modulation of neurotransmitter levels associated with behavioural functions and neuronal cell survival." Actions of asarones on the CNS, taken from [1] Normal vs diseased brain aspects Asarone functions as a neuroprotective effect in both in vivo and in vitro models of neurodegeneration - Enhance BDNF via TrkB and activate the ERK pathway, triggering antidepressant-like effects - Significantly promoted the expression and secretion of neurotrophins, such as nerve growth factor (NGF), BDNF, and GDNF, in a dose-dependent manner. Also effects on CNTF - Maintain equilibrium between glutamate and GABA in the hippocampus, enhancing learning and memory abilities. β-asarone induced the high potentiation of GABAARs -Anxiolytic effects of asarone were partially due to maintaining the balance between excitatory/inhibitory transmissions and attenuating neuronal hyper-excitability of excitatory neurons in the basolateral amygdala. - modulates microglial morphological dynamics, may functionally relate to its influence on neurogenesis - Other monoaminergic effects, particularly antidepressant effects mediated by noradrenergic (α1 and α2 adrenoceptors) and serotonergic (particularly, 5-HT1A receptors) systems. - Enhances tyrosine hydroxylase activity with relevance to Parkinson's My current line of thinking is to make an emulsion of a polysorbate emulsifier with calamus oil 1:1 in water and explore that. Any input appreciated. 1:1:2 Calamus EO:polysorbate solubiliser:saline administered by nasal spray has got quite a strong bit of burn to it but not totally intolerable. Nasal sprays are normally less than 140uL/spray meaing at 25% EO concentration {assume 80% asarones), about 28mg asarone per spray may be possible. Even at that dose, each spray is quite painful but it may be feasible to - via multiple doses scattered through the day - reach a therapeutic dose of asarones intranasally with such. References: Balakrishnan, R.; Cho, D.-Y.; Kim, I.-S.; Seol, S.-H.; Choi, D.-K. Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential of α- and β-Asarone in the Treatment of Neurological Disorders. Antioxidants 2022, 11, 281. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11020281 Lu, J., Fu, T., Qian, Y., Zhang, Q., Zhu, H., Pan, L., Zhang, M. (2014). Distribution of α-asarone in brain following three different routes of administration in rats. European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 63, 63–70. . https://doi.org/10.3390/10.1016/j.ejps.2014.06.006 Pan L, Zhou J, Ju F, Zhu H. Intranasal delivery of α-asarone to the brain with lactoferrin-modified mPEG-PLA nanoparticles prepared by premix membrane emulsification. Drug Deliv Transl Res. 2018 Feb;8(1):83-96. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13346-017-0438-8. Dong, Haiying; Wu, Shuqin; Hu, Nan; Xing, Guihua (2018) Efficacy of tenuigenin and β-asarone as augmentations for memantine in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease https://doi.org/10.1097/WNR.0000000000000952
    2 points
  28. Packs of 10 seeds. Freshly harvested. Limited number available. $10 including postage, or trade for other botanicals. “TYPE, HABIT, AND SIZE A hardy perennial with a woody basal leaf clump 12 inches (30 cm) tall and 18 inches (45 cm) wide and with flowering stems 24–30 inches (60–75 cm) tall. HARDINESS Zone 6 ORIGIN Turkey CULTIVATION Grows best in arid climates. Prefers very well drained, lean soil and occasional water in summer. LANDSCAPE USE A perennial for the xeric landscape.” Excerpt From: John Whittlesey. “The Plant Lover's Guide to Salvias.” Apple Books.
    2 points
  29. Hello, Been part of the forum for some time. Thought i would log in to share my first album. Its kinda ambient/classical with a track resembling metal. Hope someone gets some enjoyment from it. Thanks Dan https://dansutherland1.bandcamp.com/album/time-of-decay
    2 points
  30. First flowers emerging, from one of my potted specimens, around 3 years old.
    2 points
  31. I've had a number of peeps out there flick me pics already for IDs. It depends on where you are though re rainfall as it's been super localised. I just want to take the opportunity to put it out there that there are optimal conditions which are harm reductive to forage in. By that I mean, in the right conditions there will be little other mushrooms to confuse active ones with, and there will be a lot more available, making exposure to other less-favourable 'random variables' due to excessive time in the field attracting unwanted attention. Remember, one of the most harmful things about mushrooms are the laws surrounding their use and possession
    2 points
  32. I haven't heard of them before but really I haven't heard of a genuine sellers on the open web. At best they'll take your money. At worst you'll get something sent and it will be intercepted and you will get in big legal trouble.
    2 points
  33. https://www.reddit.com/r/sydney/s/GefAhuGBHu Apologies for the reddit link, I searched the NSW health page and it's terrible, couldn't find this alert, only older ones. Anyway, TLDR: punisher, SpongeBob and MyBrand stamped tabs around containing 217mg so be careful if you're in the habit of dropping multiple pies. You know what would help this situation NSW Government? Pill testing. You know, like all the recommendations from experts?
    2 points
  34. This is well put. I'm interested, however, in the sudden jump from point 1 to points 2-6. It is well established that our experinece of material reality is a representation rather than an exact copy of a self-subsisting reality, however, that representation is derived from engagement with material things and can be verfied or falsified empirically. That doesn't mean these are absolute things in a reductionist sense, but they do provide support for the objectivity of judgment. But when you jump to level 2, you are now describing religious revelation that has no material ground, and in that context I'd like to know how you determine that is not also another (very supercharged) representation, or "delusion" constructed out of you own subjective experinece and cultural milieu - after all, "multiverse" is a rather westernised idea... Which is to say, I think your rundown is potentially very close to the "truth" and well articulated, but what I am interested in are the grounds you use to determine that that experience is a "full comprehension" and not a subjective experinece predicated on personal faith? The analogy of the cave is an interesting one to use in that respect. Plato said you must meditate on the Ideas, or Forms, suprasensible essences of things, the highest of which in the Form of the Good, to get out of the cave. But actually all Plato produced was a subjective opinion that he couldn't verify, after all, what really is the Form of the Good, or "Beauty in itself" which he claims to know? He also talks about a "Godhead". It does seem really important to tap into that "space" one way or another, but how can you demonstrate whether it is actual or not? Conversely, the creative potential and lessons learned from that space can always be grounded in tangible things.
    2 points
  35. I have a lot of experince with singada, not for a long time now though. Typical preparation is 6-12 large green or cured mapacho leaves (N.rustica) slow boiled for a few minutes in a small amount of water (until light brown) then strained. That makes dozens of strong "doses" probably like 100mls. I used a palm heart staff (chonta wood/chonta staff) with a small wood bowl carved in the top as the receptable. Such staffs are widely available in witches markets but not often with the small depression/bowl carved in the top. The bowl on top is about the volume of an old skool wooden smoking pipe I guess. Do through one nostril, then the other, with the one bowl... if well prepared you get a feeling of lift off and energy activation, so to speak, that lasts a few minutes. Can be used at the peak of huachuma experience (or slightly after) or separately, i've used it up to perhaps 15-20 times in a single session (2-3 hours) but that's excessive. It is an ordeal experience as much as a psychactive one, used by shamans to offer and clear energy. Doesn't last more than a few days in a bottle. I used to carry my staff around all over the place and do singada at any nice natural location as an offering in an otherwise sober state. At that time I didn't smoke tobacco, I don't think whether you smoke or not affects tolerance per se but doing singada or using mapacho for ritual purpose may explain why I took up smoking! In Peru, most curanderos prepare only by mashing green mapacho leaves in cold water and keeping the leaves and juice in a special singada bottle, and will use high alpine lake water if possible. This is a much weaker preparation but in Peru san pedro shamans rarely aim for maximum psychoactive effect (unless a gringo is invited), their huachuma brews also done in cold water and quite "weak" by western psychonaut standards, it's more about the ritual. Receptable used may be chonta staff but also varieties of sea-shell. The singada is as important in northcoast ceremonies than the actual san pedro and the singada may be administered several times, possibly seven per the magic number. I never came across much in the way of admixtures but there's probably heaps. Huicla/yopo an interesting idea, but if you're going to put something up your nose, why not just insufflate the seeds directly for blast off. The tenon heads at chavin are a representation of that experinece precisely, as your link says. Northcoast shamans would add agua de florida, agua rosada, agua kanaga, and other commercial flower waters in small amounts (commercially prepared and sold for the shaman's market that is), and high alpine herbs I can't remember what or why. I never ever used any alcohol in my preparations, I prefer to drink it! Some of the flower waters I guess have some minute alcohol content. I never measured any dosage, miligrams or whatever, just eyeball mixed with some original tutelege. It's a spectacular thing the singada and very important to peruvian rituals. I never had adverse side effects but depends on your sinuses, I did see a few people end up with blocked ears/sinuses and such from the inhale that can be uncomfortable for days or weeks. Athough I did this probably more than a 1000 times I can't remember atm what happens after... I think some liquid goes down the throat but most comes back out the nose, I don't think I spit it out, but best not to ingest large quantities as tobacco is quite toxic when ingested. This is my personal experience, it is not advice, nor am I an expert. There's heaps of info on the web if you want to dig into it.
    2 points
  36. A kind member on this community gifted me some ceremonial cacao to compare to the supermarket bought raw cacao. I made the ceremonial cacao in the same way I would the raw - 50g of cacao, milk, sugar and chilli. In short the difference between these two items not comparable. The raw cacao is a kids drinks the ceremonial cacao is an entheogen. The ceremonial cacao started within 30 minutes as a tingle in the arms and body and a slight stimulating buzz but nothing edge after an hour or two gave way to a deep relaxation almost a feeling of floating in water. I could definitely feel that it made me more in touch with my emotions, not emotional just they I could feel more - maybe this is the opening of the heart people speak about. As the day wore on I could feel the effect, I not sure how to describe it however the best I can describe in the relaxation akin to a small to moderate amount of alcohol a feeling that has stayed with me and I could definitely feel it working its way through me throughout the day. I have noted that my stomach is unsettled and a little sensitive maybe not used to so much Theobromine. 10 hours post consumption and I can still feel it, relaxed ready for sleep. Maybe I am more sensitive or not used to the medicine. I did not do a full ritual, just centered myself with a prayer before ingestion. No real set setting and the like however I could see how ceremonial cacao could be a very effective entheogen. I feel that combined with another entheogens it could be a great part of a come up phase. I can see why traditionally ceremonial cacao was mixed with magic mushrooms the likes of Maria Sabina. Combining it with Wachuma is definitely worth considering. From my limited third-hand understanding cacao is a central Peru entheogen were Wachuma is more associated with northern coastal Peru. However it seems to that they would really go together so well. Maybe even smoking mapacho and drinking cacao would be interesting. While ceremonial cacao is four time the price of raw cacao I feel its like comparing a Honda to a Maserati. Its price would limit daily use but I do not think that any entheogen should be used daily. I will comment on the taste. The raw cacao taste much more akin to commercial chocolate the ceremonial cacao is earthier, less bitter then expected, less chocolate, it is just different to chocolate or raw cacao. Ceremonial cacao was no were as intense in flavor as I thought it would be. Possible because it is not as refined/processed and still contains all the cocoa fat which could possible dilute the chocolate flavor. I defiantly will be exploring ceremonial cacao again.
    2 points
  37. Well, yes, kinda sorta, inasmuch as I'm glad somebody is keeping tabs on it. I've bookmarked it in my head Socially tho, we are all so inured to the concept of rich kents getting what they want anywhere they like, regardless of fairness, risks to the environment, public health, regardless of public scrutiny, that it all seems like so much business as usual. Yes this is fucked. So are all the gag orders. I've even self censored my response here, not including various jabs about well never mind The future is not evenly distributed. 25 years ago we thought we were charting a path but capitalism eats all your dreams
    2 points
  38. Confirmation that a decoction of P. harmala seeds is massively potentiated by addition to a drink made of large amounts cacao.
    2 points
  39. This area has been of interest to me in the past, even though I'm not into bioassaying these days. Here's a literature review and some research mammillaria | PDF Host
    2 points
  40. Many of the awesome people I know now I met through SAB, and going to meet ups through out the years has connected me with community in different states. Lots of planty info goodness. That some plants can help you communicate with the universe. We’re all the weird? Wired? One thing *BANG* into many pieces, interesting… interacting with each other?
    2 points
  41. That no one ever got more sane from talking to me - usually the opposite.
    2 points
  42. Makes total sense from a Western perspective but it is actually a nonstarter despite the very rational sanity that exists in your suggestion. For the vastly largest part NAC members do not view or use mescaline or mescaline containing plants as their sacrament. They use peyote. That might sound like I am merely splitting hairs but San Pedro has different effects, a different taste and a different personality. This is a religious activity for them and it is not regarded to be a drug experience. For you and me such substitution would no doubt pose no problem as Western reductionism is valid in Western ideology. This subject goes far beyond what we are talking about there as a rather large portion of the NAC is still strongly opposed to cultivation even if done within the NAC itself due to their belief that it shows a lack of faith in the ability of the peyote to protect itself. Instead harvesting for users north of the border increased in Mexico. Thankfully this is now slowly in the process of changing or at least NAC people who do not object to cultivation have openly begun cultivation activities as of 7-8 years ago. It has been going on quietly for some time but I also know of one chapter which stopped growing around 12 years ago when their supplier threatened to cut them off of their peyote supply if they did not cease cultivating peyote. Cultivation within the NAC would likely be much more widespread if not for the pressure against it that became very vocal in the early 1990s. This is all an internal matter for the NAC to work through and resolve as no outsiders have the right or the wisdom to tell other people how to practice their religion. Spokespeople from the NAC have repeatedly stated to legislators and to the press that mescaline is not their medicine and San Pedro is not their medicine so have boxed themselves into a corner should their minds someday change. Only in the last several years have we heard claim being laid over them and that has been entirely in the context of decrim efforts and a desire to keep mescaline from being decriminalized. There has been a lot of effort directed at keeping not just peyote but mescaline out of DN proposals. It has in a growing number of cases been successful in omitting mescaline and any mescaline containing cacti and in others has only kept peyote and mescaline derived from peyote excluded. In far fewer instances peyote HAS been included in the decriminalization initiatives that were passed. One more bit of subtlety is that *only* the 'nondrug use' of peyote is viewed by DEA as having protection. Not only is there no guarantee that respect would be extended to the NAC for using other mescaline containing cacti or mescaline but since that would be based on recognizing they the same active drug, and therefore are drug use, it might actually go against them. Saying "peyote is not a drug" is more than just words for them, in DEA's eyes it is their legal defence for being able to use it in ceremony. One element to bear in mind is the NAC is not a homogenous organization in thought or beliefs. It is actually not an organization. It is a loose affiliation of around 170 chapters; each of which have their own charter and can write their own bylaws and membership rules. Most of them are formally incorporated. Many are fundamentalist Christians, some still have their original religion and are not Christianized and many are somewhere in between. Similarly many chapters strictly preclude others from participating (65 or so percent) and others welcome anyone who is sincere. This is easily missed if hearing the most vocal rhetoric appearing in the press. I know a very tiny number of NAC people who do use San Pedro. I know far more who absolutely reject it. I have never met any NAC member who would accept synthetic mescaline as a sacrament. There certainly may be someone out there but I have not met them and far more members would protest against the idea rather loudly. The discussions referenced at chacruna are generally about the concern for protecting peyote populations by insisting that only synthetic mescaline should be used for therapeutic applications rather than peyote or mescaline that has been extracted from peyote. There are at least five psychedelic start-ups based around the use of mescaline so that is a great idea. As was mentioned earlier, one can also find this notion being embraced in a number of the Decrim Nature initiatives. The thing which would go farthest to resolve the dilemma with the least complexity would be repealing the controlled substances act and also declaring peyote to be a federally listed endangered species. Congress gave all people in the USA who qualify for federal aid by virtue of being recognized as a member of any indigenous entity (group, tribe, pueblo, etcetera) the right to harvest, possess, transport, and consume peyote and to cultivate it in a regulated manner so adding that layer of protection to peyote would not affect NAC peyote access or use.
    2 points
  43. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874120331986 in rodents, at least.
    2 points
  44. Most meet ups are organized on FB messaging or Signal. The old crew is pretty solid and that network is slow on uptake of newbies. Has anyone in Sydney met you, your Raver Buddy is not familiar to me. Yes folks are sussed out at APS meets, and if they seem cool, could be invited to more interesting events. That said, things are slow, family commitments etc. we are lucky to have a Winter and Summer camp, mushroom camp is a distant memory, I suppose COVID restrictions changed the pace of socializing too. I run a Ceremony or two every week, so I have my fill of deep human interaction. And enjoy a stiff Gin or overproof whiskey on my days off to debrief.
    2 points
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