Posted by pinksharkmark (64.32.126.180) on October 08, 2001 at 16:40:52:
In Reply to: 5-meo-dmt, any possibilities? posted by Emily on October 08, 2001 at 12:44:08:
Thanks so much for the tip, Emily, and for the link.
Yes, there is a very strong possibility that 5-meo-DMT would have the same effect on CH as LSD or psilocin. It is impossible to know for sure without experimentation.
There are some significant differences between LSD and psilocin, and DMT and 5-meo-DMT. The former two compounds are orally active, the latter two are not, unless taken in combination with an MAOI such as harmaline. DMT and 5-meo-DMT can be injected or smoked, however. I presume you smoked yours? Also, both DMT and 5-meo-DMT last a matter of minutes (when injected or smoked) rather than hours. DMT does not create the same "tolerance" effect that LSD and psilocin and mescaline do. Does 5-meo-DMT create a tolerance, or can it be done repeatedly, like DMT, in a short timeframe, with no decrease in intensity?
I have believed for some time now that there are dozens, perhaps hundreds of psychoactive tryptamine compounds that may be potentially as effective as LSD and psilocin in treating CH. Bufotenine (found in the secretions of certain species of toad) for example, is chemically virtually identical to psilocin, the only difference being that the OH radical on the benzene section of the indole ring is shifted one position.
On the other hand, Imitrex is chemically very similar to psilocybin, and we know that Imitrex (sumatriptan) will abort only a single headache, not an entire cycle. We also know that Sansert (methysergide), ergotamine, and other ergot compounds are all quite similar to LSD, yet LSD will bring a CH cycle to a grinding halt, while the others will treat only a single headache and let the cycle continue. It is therefore apparent that fairly minor differences in chemical structure can result in fairly large differences in effect.
I advocate the use of LSD and psilocybin/psilocin because we have an impressive body of anecdotal evidence to prove that these compounds WORK, not because I think that nothing else will. If legal compounds such as LSA, 5-meo-DMT, and others work as well as the illegal compounds, I will quite happily advocate their use instead.
I don't think that I myself will ever get around to experimenting with 5-meo-DMT, since I live in a country where the use of psilocybin mushrooms is not illegal. I have no personal incentive to painstakingly check out, over the course of years or decades, every possible alternative to psilocybin.
But I strongly urge my fellow clusterheads who live in the US to do so. I think we all owe heartfelt thanks to Emily (and to the poster a few weeks ago who suggested LSA) for suggesting this legal alternative. Thank you, THANK you, THANK YOU, Emily, for taking the time to try to help us poor critters.
Even if it turns out that it doesn't work, it is VERY heartening to see someone who is neither a clusterhead nor even KNOWS anyone who is a clusterhead, not only express some interest in our plight, but actually come up with something that may work every bit as well as the mushrooms do with the important added benefit of being LEGAL.
You are a star.
pinky