wachumacallit
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Posts posted by wachumacallit
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On 8/25/2025 at 12:32 PM, Alchemica said:
with some saying ones probably belonging into the range of the species Trichocereus scopulicola, like cordobensis, generally not even being worth exploration.
"Scopulicola" describes a family of different cultivars, from what I've seen. With presumably different chemical compositions. Bioassay suggests a wide range of psychoactive potential (including some conspicuously underwhelming results at the lower end of the range).
As regards the 2025 study, why use T. peruvianus (which one? KT-Ogun?) as a "control"? It's also not clear whether Rita and CLS are exceptional, or merely just average T. bridgesii cultivars.
Something I was wondering: since T. bridgesii and T. peruvianus (etc.) are adapted to different environments (terrains, altitudes, temperatures, etc.) and neither are native to Sydney's Western Plains district where the experimental specimens were grown in cultivation, can we really be sure of a level playing field in terms of these analyses? Wouldn't it be preferable, from a scientific point of view, to conduct these analyses in situ, under the guidance of traditional custodians?
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On plants with branches as thin as CLS or Rita, I probably wouldn't be drawing too much of a distinction between Clorenchyma and Parenchyma. And good luck working with those Central Long Spines. I wouldn't know where to start.
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"Experiment" - is that a named cultivar, or a trade secret? (I can keep a secret, if need be).
When you see the competing interests disclaimer at the end of that latest study, you realise why "potency" is such an obsession.
I'd like to know, when a traditional South American group adopts a local cultivar, is it because it's (weight for weight) "more potent": or perhaps because of some other, unquantifiable property -- a signature or voice that finds particular meaning in that cultural context? Drinking one's fill from a superabundant cauldron perhaps frees one from concerns over maximal extraction of use-value.
Or is "potency" a western ethnocentrism stemming from our own value system (we can't abide the taste of the medicine; we use expensive chemicals in the extraction process; we are looking for something convenient to dispense and swallow, in order to meet demands of consumers in a marketplace; we don't have hectares of cactus growing naturally in abundance).
I say this because even humble PC makes good medicine. As long as you're not too busy fussing with scales and measures, or worried about the taste. And while I've encountered considerably "more potent" varieties than PC, the quality of the experience was not necessarily as nuanced or fine-grained.
By the same token, pure extracts of "The One" alkaloid have typically disappointed my expectations: none have been as powerful as full-spectrum plant brews that I've taken -- although technically much more potent (in terms of mescaline concentrations, by design).
Perhaps the entourage of alkaloids potentiates whatever mescaline content may be present in any given cactus. Could it even be something as simple as a chemical that impedes mescaline passing through the body via urine -- holding it in the system for longer? (Just another wild guess.)
If mescaline's the answer, wouldn't Big Pharma simply synthesise it in an industrial vat? Why bother studying cactus plants at all? Though I reckon researchers should be looking at how various cactus alkaloids might contribute to enhanced flows of, say, oxytocin (not usually regarded as a psychedelic per se).
Maybe that elusive X factor is ... me and you!
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Might there be something distinctive about the alkaloid composition of T. bridgesii that could explain its reputation for consistently reliable effects?
(Not that "reputation" or some "rule of thumb" based on a handful of bioassays -- or worse, someone's say-so -- necessarily tells us anything conclusive. But maybe folk wisdom could provide scientists a useful starting point or clue.)
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It'd be worth a shot. But even if not successful ...
Mushroom compost is hideously expensive. At least for the certified organic stuff. I've seen Trichocereus spp. thrive on it as a soil admixture.
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26 minutes ago, Alchemica said:
think as simply as how the sugar concentration, weight by weight, of a dried apricot, is higher than in a fresh one due to water loss on drying...
Of course! Thanks for clarifying.
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Dang, put the last of my seeds in the fridge for cold stratification about a fortnight ago.
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That's a great looking book (and series). Thanks for the heads-up! Gotta love some of those common names of medicinal plants: Having Hairy Flowers. Squirting Cucumber. Snoutbean.
I think "potency" is a bit of a red herring. It's all about the finer qualities, not quantity, of an experience. I think that's where the mysterious cocktail of alkaloids makes all the difference. Ogun's study doesn't strike me as being particularly rigorous, or conclusive. (I'd love to know what's in that goopy Peruvian sausage plant!)
What happens during dehydration to increase the mescaline content of peyote? Does this hold true for San Pedro as well?
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Sounds like a plan, if they're a threat to your safety or that of native wildlife. I do something similar to get rid of ants in the house (borax + icing sugar). You can also make wasp traps out of halved soft-drink bottles, I forget what bait works best but citrus rings a bell. I actually feed my cactus plants a little borax, once a year. Just don't get me started on The Borax Conspiracy -- I might be tempted to try some for myself!
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Actually, my first listings did contain one error (listing beyond the 5-day period) but these posts weren't removed for moderation, and I completed 2 successful transactions. Yay! Since then I've been careful to follow the rules to a T, so I've never been sure why most of my subsequent posts should be removed. I don't think any kind of moderation action seems imminent, so perhaps there's some kind of FB bot at play? I did go through and change some FB privacy settings on my account, so maybe that's triggered some kind of automatic alert. I'll keep trying. Maybe.
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Posts get removed from the feed and are reclassified as "pending" moderator approval. This doesn't seem to happen within the 5-day auction listing period. Not always, but usually.
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I made huge sacrifices to join Facebook, in terms of data and privacy loss. This was all to get away from the fascists governing eBay, and still be able to sell a few plants online. But what's the point, if (anonymous) moderator of the FB group quietly (without notice) shunts all of my posts to moderation, with zero feedback or explanation -- effectively disappearing them -- and that's the end of the matter? It takes time and effort not just to raise plants but then to make up a listing, shoot photography, get the wording just right, etc. What might I be doing wrong, as a new FB user, to trigger such antagonism?
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On 8/4/2025 at 6:13 PM, Fenris said:
When $$ are involved the unsavoury do seem to follow.
The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.
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I picked this greenhouse up at auction for $100, as good as brand new (flat-packed). It retails for 5x as much, which would not be such a great deal. I assembled this myself, so it's not too difficult, but the factory work was a bit rough in places. My goal was to provide a home for a few species that have failed me (or rather, I failed them) in Melbourne winters past.
A few potential issues:
There don't seem to be anchor points, so how to prevent it from blowing away in a strong wind? My bigger concern is tree branches (and old fences) from neighbouring properties, falling through the polycarbonate sheeting or bending the aluminium frame.
There are plenty of gaps (up to around 5cm) where the ground isn't perfectly level -- does the bottom need to be sealed against pests? Or would the added ventilation be a good thing?
I was thinking of installing a small raised garden bed under the highest point, but it's a tight squeeze. Any thoughts on that, or -- conversely -- planting directly into the ground?
One thing I might be inclined to do is install a bale of straw or barrel of water, for additional passive solar heating in winter. I'd welcome any thoughts on interior layout and design.
Any greenhouse gurus out there care to offer me some pointers?
Happy to trade arid for (sub-)tropical plants.
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^ Good to know. I somehow got a foot in the door, it's honestly about the best FB group I've found so far. Not just some dude and his old lady + 8927 followers.
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I've applied to both. Applications still pending.
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On 7/4/2025 at 7:46 PM, Starward said:
Do you have an avatar on your account - sometimes groups reject you if lack an avatar.
I tried this too, nada. But maybe I'm trying to join the wrong group. Only half a dozen or so Oz cactus / tricho / sacred cactus groups on FB.
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20 hours ago, SayN said:
I'm not saying the type of person you describe does not exist, but i'd say "very rarely" instead of "very often".
^ I'd say so too. Most of the folks I've dealt with here, and in person, have become terrific allies. Once in a while I've been ripped off too -- rarely, in my experience.
There's a problem in public perception, when the ABC goes directly to a couple of egregious hustlers and entrepreneurs for its information, rather than say APS or Entheogenesis Australia.
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22 hours ago, Starward said:
I signed up to FB trichocereus auctions group just last week, it took two days. I am sure they will get to you.
I signed up twice, once probably 2 years ago, and more recently. Still waiting ...
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Probably the last person I'd take legal advice from would be a commercial scale cactus grower on FB.
Self-appointed deputies of the DEA, like eBay Inc., are always (or at least, sporadically) making it tougher to sell these plants online in Oz. The fact that the plants may be legal in your state for ornamental and horticultural purposes, makes no difference to the multinational juggernaut. I know of at least one peyote grower in Melbourne who's moved their entire venture over to Gumtree. They don't seem terribly happy with the situation either. That said, plenty of high-volume sellers sitting pretty on eBay, evidently without fear of being de-listed for drugs policy violations.
Meanwhile, I'm still waiting on approval to join the FB trichocereus auctions group ... otherwise I signed up to FB for nothing.
Two (potential) developments make me somewhat anxious about legal status. Firstly, certain entrepreneurial folks making a big noise about mescaline-containing cactus in the Oz mainstream media, and online. This strategy seems short-sighted, and potentially counter-productive to the goals of a broader community. Secondly, any pending TGA application for therapeutic mescaline (synthetic or otherwise) would provide a financial incentive for a crackdown on home gardeners.
It's a grey area, to say the least. But maybe it's better that way?
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Quote
Saffron (Crocus sativus) has been used as food and medicine in South Asia, Persia, and the Mediterranean for ages. Now, however, its neuroprotective activity and potential to prevent or counter anxiety and depression are attracting attention. These effects are mediated by its key constituents, crocin, crocetin, and safranal.
Saffron has multiple neuroprotective and mood-enhancing mechanisms of action. It modulates monoaminergic neurotransmission, including serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, and inhibits acetylcholinesterase. It boosts antioxidant capacity and displays potent anti-inflammatory activity. It also inhibits the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway.
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