It's been a while since I last posted a Q&A.
While I'm working on the typical content, I figured it would be good to put out content
of this sort to fill in the gaps.
I've put the questions and other comments I'm responding to in the description in case
you want to skip ahead.
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"There's no evidence that these myths are actually myths"
This was in regards to the DMT: Myths and Facts video, which is probably my most controversial
thus far.
I've seen this kind of comment multiple times.
It appears the term "myth" was a source of contention, which is precisely the reason
I defined it early in the video.
The term was being used to discuss ideas that are unsupported by current evidence, with
an even greater focus on ideas that are widespread or put forth as if they're supported.
This is not the same as saying the ideas are without a doubt false, there's just no reason
to believe them if you prefer focusing on evidence.
When it comes to the idea that you need evidence that somehow disproves these ideas, that's
not a standard I'm in favor of.
We also don't have evidence that an Abrahamic God does not exist or that there isn't a zebra
near Kepler-16b.
But if the belief that a zebra is near Kepler-16b managed to get adopted, I'd be fine applying
the term "myth" to that belief.
The purpose of the video was to clear up some information about the drug as there's certainly
a lot of discussion about DMT that's supported by very little.
"I was wanting to know the difference between meth and speed, which I know is amphetamine"
Because methamphetamine is one of the most demonized drugs while Adderall is a common
pharmautical, there seem to be two primary groups of people who appear in response to
this topic.
The first doesn't even recognize the drugs are similar.
While the second swings the opposite direction and proclaims "adderall is just Big Pharma
meth."
Although I dislike the way the second group often frames the topic, they're more accurate
than the first.
Amphetamine does have some pharmacological differences from methamphetamine.
It offers a more potent or otherwise altered effect on some monoamines, for example.
And it also has differences that may raise the potential for neurotoxicity when someone
is taking the drug irresponsibly.
But, if you were to orally administer Desoxyn and Dexedrine, the brand names for Methamphetamine
and Dextroamphetamine, the differences wouldn't be massive.
At equipotent doses in a blinded manner, some people may not even even reliably say which
one they have taken.
They are quite similar drugs, but with a few differences people should understand.
"Are there any harmful implications that come with LSD regarding brain damage?
I'm very interested in psychedelics like 2C-B, shrooms, LSD etc. and I smoke weed from time
to time, but I'm a bit scared that I would damage my brain permanently and be less intelligent
than before the hallucinogenic experience.
Probably overthinking this, but would love a response!!"
Neurotoxicity is not a concern with LSD in any way it's typically used.
You needn't be worried about actually damaging your brain in that sense.
The primary risk with LSD in particular is psychological.
And that's a risk that shouldn't be discounted.
Set and setting truly are of great importance with psychedelics.
One of the problems is that determining your "set" isn't always easy.
You should definitely be careful when deciding to use LSD, but not because the drug is likely
to physically damage your body.
"Modafinil and armodafinil inhibit reuptake at the dopamine receptor?
so basically they're a loose anti-psychotic?"
It appears you're just getting two mechanisms mixed up.
Antipsychotics, such as haloperidol, can bind to dopamine receptors and block them.
This is helpful when addressing some types of drug exposure and when dealing with schizophrenia.
What modafinil does is different.
It's blocking the dopamine transporter rather than dopamine receptors.
This is in some ways yielding an opposite effect, as Modafinil is basically increasing
the impact of dopamine in some regions.
Overall, the pharmacology of modafinil is more complex than just operating at the dopamine
transporter.
"Anyone caught making PMMA/PMA should receive the death penalty by it's administration."
Although the second part of that statement suggests the commenter may not have been serious,
I felt compelled to respond to the sentiment.
I certainly don't agree with the idea that drug manufacturers or dealers should be put
to death.
That policy has gone in and out of support in various locations, with the Philippines
being a recent example.
One thing to consider is that those who are selling the drug may not be aware of what
it actually contains.
This is part of the insidious nature of the illicit drug market.
Many people along the chain of sale may be deceived or simply ignorant about the product
their handling.
But let's picture the worst case:
Someone who has intentionally sold PMA as MDMA--perhaps they're even responsible for
making the drug.
Even in that case, a reformation of the individual's way of behaving could eventually occur.
And if they're just manufacturing the substance, that's not inherently problematic.
I much prefer the option of putting someone in prison or engaging in some form of restorative
justice if someone's rights are infringed.
I'm certainly not a fan of killing the guilty party.
It's also important to note that the issue of PMA and PMMA will largely be solved by
legalization.
Until it is, both the illicit drug trade and the government can be viewed as responsible
parties.
"I've heard that DXM use with Bupropion can be risky because they are both metabolized
with the same metabolic enzyme.
What is your opinion on this?"
I don't think it's a particularly wise combination, though not quite for that reason.
Bupropion inhibits DXM's CYP2D6 metabolic pathway, which can boost and lengthen the
effect of DXM.
This is different from being metabolized by the same pathway.
Because this adds a greater deal of unpredictability and often unpleasantness to the experience,
I don't think it's the best combination.
It's not a top contraindicated combination, especially if you're only using a medical
dose of DXM, but I consider avoiding recreational use to be the wisest decision.
If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments section.
Also, if you have questions for future Q&A videos, you can put them in the comments or
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