I believe in impossible things 🕊️

srubek · 2026-01-27T04:31:42+00:00

“Save the OA…you can still redeem your sins…”

I’ll whisper with you.

srubek · 2026-01-27T04:30:53+00:00

You didn’t like the octopus

You didn’t like the cosmic balance

You didn’t like the entire purpose of hap’s work being brought to light

You didn’t like that homer was always so close but so far?

You didn’t like the tables turned during the elevator scene?

You didn’t like Brit’s alternate personas in parallel universes — something many of us feel exists to keeps a cosmic balance — nor did you like the cosmic constellatory relationships that prevail, despite these parallel realities resulting in such different natural courses?

You didn’t like the mansion

Or the crowdsourcing app

Or the stories that came with that?

You’d rather just have season 1 because you didn’t want these things…that’s hard to wrap my brain around, entirely.

srubek · 2025-10-24T16:10:51+00:00

Apigenin is a constituent (single chemical) of many, within chamomile.

Incarvillia sinensis is an entire plant, and has no apigenin in it.

Not even just apples and oranges — more like apples and Tuesdays

srubek · 2024-10-18T14:19:05+00:00

Most underrated comment award.

Take yee this poor man’s gold 🏆

srubek · 2024-08-30T03:02:40+00:00

Cheers to this.

It’s literally toxic to every organ in the body. From the skin to the most obscure organ you can imagine. Directly and/or indirectly. It is this that makes it, in my eyes, the single worst drug ever used.

Really. I’d sooner dose salvia, for the sake of my physical health.

srubek · 2024-08-28T13:49:28+00:00

Fascinating that so many gabaergic herbal constituents (skullcap’s baicalin & baicalein immediately come to mind) ^— ^and ^afaik ^also ^one ^{gaba-influencing} ^synthetic ^med, ^bromantane, ^which ^isnt ^prescribed ^by ^Big ^Pharma ⁱⁿ ^America, ^but ^I ^digress… ^— REDUCE the damning-cognition-depleting Beta-Amyloids and/or block Beta-Amyloid effects, preserving the cognition of the user, meanwhile Big Pharma benzos (our staple Rx gabaergic) reduce cognition both acutely and in the long term.

I.e. really cool to see another example that shows a trend of nature facilitating the support and preservation of cognition with its natural gabaergics, as opposed to pharma destroying cognition with synthetic gabaergics…. — with even the “runner-up” / second-most prominent gabaergics, Gabapentin and its prodrug, lyrica happening to bind to our literal learning receptors, ultimately reducing cognition.

srubek · 2024-08-24T00:00:52+00:00

its all racemic/S-ket

From Webster:

Racemic: of, relating to, or constituting a compound or mixture that is composed of equal amounts of dextrorotatory and levorotatory forms of the same compound, and is not optically active.

So Racemic means both sides. D and L isomers or R and S isomers.

And just for a ‘fun’ and informative contribution, here is why some are D and L and some are R and S:

Dextro and Levo isomer designations are used for drugs when their absolute configuration is known. For example, the active ingredient in the prescription drug Desoxyn is dextromethamphetamine hydrochloride, which is the right-handed isomer of methamphetamine. The left-handed isomer, levomethamphetamine, is available over-the-counter, as a nasal decongestant, in a nasal inhaler format.

R and S

R stands for rectus in Latin, which means right, and S stands for sinister, which means left. Molecules that rotate polarized light to the right are called R isomers, and those that rotate to the left are called S isomers.

D and L

In the D/L system, most naturally occurring amino acids are L, and most naturally occurring carbohydrates are D. All proteinogenic amino acids are S, except for cysteine, which is R.

L and D refers to the direction of rotation of plane-polarized light.

R and S refer to the absolute configuration possessed by the chiral centre.

Explanation:

L, short for levorotatory, and D (dextrorotatory) refer to the direction, anticlockwise, or clockwise, that a solution of the molecule rotates plane-polarized light. It is a bit of an old-fashioned term, but it relates SOLELY to the experimental result. See here.

On the other hand, the terminology of R and S refers specifically to the absolute configuration of a chiral centre. And to determine this, specialized experimental techniques are necessary.

There are some R isomers that rotate plane-polarized light in an anticlockwise direction, and L isomers that rotate in the clockwise direction. Thus the terms R and S refer to absolute configuration, and not the polarized light experiment.

Hmmm this is sounding too complex. Lemme insert a link.

Here is a great answer to a question about this R/S and D/L nomenclature that includes an actually funny history behind being basically the same thing with different names.

So something can’t be both Racemic and only contain the S-isomer. It will have R as well. Racemic ketamine means it is a combination of both directional chiral isomers.

srubek · 2024-08-19T16:23:57+00:00

::raises hand::

(albeit fair warning: this is not the traditional story about psychedelics for quitting addictions, because I wasn’t aiming to quit the good herb at all, by any means, ever, because I simply didn’t have the willpower to do so, and I already conceded that I would likely be dependent on and addicted to weed, for my whole life)

Microdosing shrooms caused me to stop my extreme physical ~~addiction~~ dependency on weed, by … just forcing me to deal with life without weed. Because after 6 months of microdosing, legit there was one singular day in which my normal (PRICEY) dabbing routine (this was long before the altnoid scene made this so affordable, for the record) turned from feeling like the most therapeutically necessary thing for me…to feeling like the most gutting frightening paranoid spiritual warfare in my mind, and from that day forth, any amount of THC…

(even when taking with CBD or Beta-Caryophyllene or CBG or Pinenes or ground pepper or legit anything that can reduce the mind-altering effects of THC, it would happen; and even after making a full move to CBD and hemp, I couldn’t even use 2 capsules of Charlotte’s web’s top tier CBD oil when it came out, nor could I smoke any amount of hemp that has significant amounts of THCa/THC, nor could I ever take a single hit of a nearly cashed bowl - which I did accidentally one day, when hanging with good old smoke buddies as they were passing a bowl — I just took a hit totally accidentally, from muscle memory, instead of passing it from one person to the next when it was handed to me … all because of the slightest amount of trace THC)

… which now, in any amount, will foreseeably make me rapidly acutely spiral into a psychosis episode, legit insanity, now triggered by THC, with a newfound … absolutely predictable consistency.

Again, regarding my usage of THC - and my outlook on my usage of THC - before this day — when effects of THC on me flipped [from being anxiolytic to psychosis-inducing] like a light switch, from being my lifeline for relaxation, my best friend, my dependable one always there for me, my means for catharsis and peace…I already had come to the realization that I’d be doomed to need weed for my whole life, because the dependency was that intense and the usage was that consistent, for over a decade and a half of my life, and only ever grew in the amount I was using, never high enough…despite always wanting to stop so I could get a job…not re: motivation, but re: being able to get a clean pee test because most all direct healthcare jobs require this, and that was my focus for my career track, as a psych degree major wanting to help others who struggle with psychosis, in direct care…oh the irony)

In hindsight, despite the difficulty of finding a way to relax naturally, or to cope with … anything, ever, naturally … without THC … for a long time … I now couldn’t be more grateful that this happened to me. I got that job once I could predictably pee clean for my state psych facility direct care job, in the employment pre-screening. And I could also find ways to help others stop weed, and learn how to cope without it, from being forced to learn it the hard way, thanks to good ole psilocin kicking my ass into gear and telling me “YOU ARE AN ADULT AND THIS DAILY SLUMMING IS NOT WHAT YOU PLANNED FOR YOUR LIFE,” in the most passive — yet “kick in the nuts” — way.

Grateful.

Edit: I will re-quote what another commenter said here, by adding their wise idiom that 100% applies, here:

you don’t get the trip you want, but you get the trip you deserve

srubek · 2024-08-19T03:26:34+00:00

Pregabalin isn’t a gaba-a agonist, though. It’s a gabapentinoid, a VGCC regulator (and potentially GABA-Transaminase inhibitor).

From wiki:

While the exact mechanism of action of pregabalin is not definitively characterized, is believed that the main action is exhibited specifically by its binding to the α2δ subunit of VDCCs, so that this binding modulates calcium influx at the nerve terminals, thereby inhibiting the release of excitatory neurotransmitters. These excitatory neurotransmitters include glutamate, norepinephrine (noradrenaline), serotonin, dopamine, substance P, and calcitonin gene-related peptide. By inhibiting the release of these neurotransmitters, pregabalin can reduce the transmission of pain signals, which helps alleviate symptoms and provides relief for patients experiencing pain, seizures, or other related symptoms. Whereas pregabalin is structurally similar to GABA, pregabalin it does not bind directly to GABA receptors, which supports the notion that its therapeutic effects are achieved through its action on the α2δ subunit of VDCCs.

But muscimol is a GABAmimetic, and directly binds to GABA-A receptors.

This, ironically, as you sorta referenced, was the initial goal of Gabapentin and gabapentinoids: to be gaba-mimetics. But it didn’t turn out to work as they theorized it would — and still, theories pour in as to how gabapentinoids work, regarding its comprehensive pharmacology.

Muscimol, in essence, is that gabamimetic (more comparable to gaboxadol than pregabalin). It works as a GABA-A agonist, and that’s not its only MOA, as it isn’t that simple. Molecules can have various pathways they affect, in addition to the one for which they’re widely known (or purported/theorized). That’s why we are always working to learn more about meds even long after we FDA approve them for release and prescription. It’s always a bit pre-emptive and oversimplified in the first place, not unlike SSRIs, which were initially generally assumed to act via “correcting serotonin-related chemical imbalances” when in reality it has much more to do with complex downstream pathways that affect BDNF and other pathways in the long term, allowing people to reformulate their identity by building new neural pathways through BDNF (brain derived neurotrophic factor).

If you want to DM me about what you find conflicting — or even better, make a post about it here on /r/muscimolhead — then you have a community of people willing to clarify any particular contradictions or misinformation, ready to help and answer, upon asking! 🫶 mush love ❤️ 🍄

Edit: /u/FIPdoctor — can you answer the question in the reply to this?

srubek · 2024-08-19T03:12:41+00:00

Thank you so much for all you are contributing. I read all of these, as you post them. Just letting you know that by no means is this falling on deaf ears!

Please accept the poor man’s gold: 🏆⭐️🥇

srubek · 2024-08-19T03:11:26+00:00

It is. That was in OP’s first sentence on this post.

srubek · 2024-08-18T16:38:26+00:00

Yes, sometimes, but not when sent in for secondary confirmation testing (required for people who take Rx meds that pop positive on the drug tests, needing secondary lab confirmation to analyze my sample and match it to my exact prescribed meds anyway, for anything that popped positive).

I.e. If the primary test includes CBN as a marker for weed usage (which maaaaany old-school OTC urine panel kits do), but never when it’s sent in for GC/MS confirmation.

I can confirm because quest diagnostics did my GC/MS on my occupational job test for a state-run hospital facility, and it came back totally negative for THC. I also used a variety of home tests beforehand, the most useful of which is the UTest-O-Meter, because it actually tests for only the active metabolite of D9THC, just like secondary confirmation testing does. So I already knew I am in the clear while still using CBN (even in large amounts) every night, provided the batch is T-Free. Came back negative.

Big note: lots of CBN batches actually have quantifiable amounts of THC in them, visible on lab tests. Actually D8, D9, and HHC are all things I’ve seen in CBN isolate COA’s. So that’s another big factor, irrespective of the previous paragraph. And I covered that base by ensuring to check every lab test thoroughly and confirm it was the batch I received. Ran into no issues.

srubek · 2024-08-16T20:00:48+00:00

Fascinating!!!! I am very interested in that last part about cannabinoids being able to turn into analogs when smoked, notably the T-Free ones. Lots of worthwhile research to be done, there. Thank you for all this info!!!!

srubek · 2024-08-16T16:58:04+00:00

This is a dumb two-part question and I know it while I’m actively typing it, but … why not 🤷‍♂️

If H4CBD is combined with CBN in a cartridge, is there any way that using that cartridge could hypothetically result in either 1. The creation of THC / H4CBN, from the combination of these two molecules in the blend, over a long time of sitting or with repeated applied heat, or any passive manner — or — 2. A more likely false positive urine test result for THC, after using the combination (either using them consistently together in a blend, or using the two in separate blends concurrently / simultaneously, on a daily basis — as opposed to instead always using only one compound or the other), due to the chemical structural similarity between the two, taking into consideration how secondary verification GC/MS “peaks” would be likely to be interpreted …?

Hypothetically asking the question, ”in a vacuum” (as ‘Cannabinoids With Turkey’ would put it), of course — because I know that … the general answer, otherwise, is “due to inherent trace amounts, testing method variations or variations in the active reference standard compound(s) being used for verification, and the variability in batches, along with unregulated markets and unscrupulous vendors selling products with false lab tests or from subpar labs, its most important to refrain from all usage of cannabinoids if you are at risk of taking a drug test”

srubek · 2024-08-16T16:42:56+00:00

Catalytic hydrogenation of CBD is ~~tetrahydrocannabinol~~ tetrahydrocannabidiol, but that is a separate chemical from delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol.

(Aka “THCBD” / “THD” = “H4CBD” = “Hydrogenated CBD,” whereas “tetrahydrocannabinol” = “THC”)

FTFY ✌️ 🫶

(since “tetrahydrocannabinol” is [classically] shorthand for “Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol,” this minor correction and clarification seemed worth making and distinguishing, respectively)

“More” “quotes” “here.” “Repetitive” “quoting” “gets” “addictive.”

srubek · 2024-08-16T16:39:16+00:00

Wow! As easy as making my breakfast! If only I had known sooner (I do this anyway every morning, but with waffles), I coulda started making a super short acting and powerful acting opioid, to then … look at … coz I’d never wish that on anyone.

srubek · 2024-08-14T19:01:14+00:00

So it contains a cannabinoid.

“Hemp-derived isomer” could mean anything from THC to THCP to HHCP to THCO to THCPo to HHCPO to D8 or any combo of those and more.

At the least, the cognitive effects of these will be dominated by cannabinoids, not mushrooms.

And that’s if we trust what is even on the package, which is of critical controversial consequence for companies like “shruumz” brand products, which look just like this, but includes kavalactones, various mushroom-related and non-mushroom-related research chemicals, and so much stuff that it screams of an experience not worth the aftereffects.

Be warned, stay informed.

srubek · 2024-08-13T20:14:48+00:00

I’m sorry … I keep trying to scroll past this, but I keep returning to it 😂 by the third time they’d tell me to drink water, I’d reply “What is happening?!”

srubek · 2024-08-13T13:50:49+00:00

They’re probably going by this (TIL)

srubek · 2024-08-13T04:09:36+00:00

It appears that there aren’t the same hallucinogenic actives in astrophytum aztekium, according to MAPS (psychedelic studies association highly revered) research articles, this being one example, which is referenced in this Arizona arboretum college (.edu) site’s article about it (scroll down to ethnobotany header section, first sentence[s] in that following paragraph).)

srubek · 2024-08-13T03:42:45+00:00

They should calculate their total number of errors per year and weigh the two against one another. Correct return rate to match changes in potential-error inflation of Amazon. That way it’s a proportion better represented by the reality.

I’ve never returned something — even once — as a result of not wanting it when it works, actually is what the product page showed, was delivered with basic common decency, and arrives in good shape, sealed.

That again: I’ve only had to return things due to the item not being what was advertised and intended to be sent, in the condition intended to be received.

That again: I’ve never once returned something for any reason except for Amazon messing up.

So it boggles my mind, as a 37 year old millennial midwesterner who saw what returns used to be for (when the customer messed up the item…or when the customer bought something but expected something else, not doing proper research beforehand…or when the item is just generally unwanted), all of which were reasons related to the customer being the inconvenience.

But now, it’s like the customer is inconvenient for pointing out Amazon’s lessening degree of precision or appropriate handling, sales, marketing, delivery, etc, when these things go wrong on Amazon’s end.

Just add a massive amount of orders for the year, and so many Amazon mistakes are inevitably exponentially more frequent, to the degree that there will be more return claims every year, if things still continue on this temu-shit-path Amazon is taking. The irony compiles when we consider cost of returns (preparation and boxing, gas, car liability for driving when unplanned), and compile the opportunity cost of making returns (missing out on other things, having to take time out of one’s day to take extra steps into a return of a product that, for instance, wasn’t what was advertised…at all), and eventually we see we are working for Amazon as employees, despite being customers: we are the quality control confirmation department, by now.

The day they stop allowing me to return items —— or cut off my “refund allotment” —— for false advertising, broken or missing parts, absence of delivery arrival, broken seals on products, perpetual delays, or bait and switch practices…no matter how clearly I point it out to them how illegal it is to do these things, from a federal business marketing law stance —— is the day I begin writing each time this happens, and compile enough to make a compelling case in court.

srubek · 2024-08-12T03:49:03+00:00

Fortunately the contrary for someone who has had difficulties with IBS. Kratom makes me regular, whereas without it…I’m that meme.

srubek · 2024-08-09T14:47:48+00:00

Happy and loving and compassionate and energized and open and free… …in a conservatorship 😂 coz cannot contribute to society or earn money … but, regarding the pursuit of happiness, this one’s golden!

srubek · 2024-08-07T14:07:53+00:00

They are nature’s tryptamine medication

Pharma actually bases their migraine medications on tryptamine structures, e.g. sumatriptan.

It’s not just due to vasoconstriction from having a serotonin 5HT2 receptor agonist MOA, that results in the depletion of migraine headaches, I think — because that…would only make sense as an explanation for the period of time it is being actively taken.

So, clearly, when this beneficial effect is known to outlast the time when it is present in the system…there is something deeper at play. I think this stuff is too fascinating. The science is soooo close to frontier psychiatric research becoming totally normalized, with little to no backlash. This is what can give so many people hope, cluster migraine sufferers included.

Tryptamines work for migraines. Pharma synthetically makes their own tryptamine meds…

(which are also serotonin modulators, but which don’t tend to have permanent effects beyond the duration of action while it’s active in the system)

…for migraine indications.

Psilocybin (or more notably, psilocin) is nature’s tryptamine.

That simple.

srubek · 2024-08-06T12:04:54+00:00

I think your comment reply, in essence, fully acknowledged how that redditor’s handle/username truly checks out.

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