Erowid Monthly Announcement : Oct 2009

Erowid Monthly

Erowid Monthly Index Sep/Oct 2009

While Erowid Center's best known projects are providing online information about psychoactives via the Erowid and Ecstasydata websites, another part of our work is attending in-person gatherings. Meeting face-to-face with the public permits us to learn from people as well as to dispel rumors, provide facts, and teach others about available information resources.

We've been busy answering questions and gathering data at a variety of recent events. In September, Erowid Crew members were at Burning Man, Symbiosis, Horizons, and this coming weekend, we'll be at the Women's Visionary Congress.

To provide these public services, Erowid needs your financial help. If you're not already a supporter, please make a donation today. If you are a member, an early renewal or additional donation would really help.

Signed and Unsigned "Visionary Synthesis" Posters ($150 and $45):
Erowid.org/donations/poster

New "Erologo" T-Shirt in Men's and Women's Styles ($45)
Erowid.org/donations/incentives_shirt.php

Drug Geek Factlet

Eight years ago on September 30, 2001, John Lilly died. Lilly was a physician, biophysicist, and neuroscientist, known for his explorations with floatation tanks and psychedelics like LSD and ketamine, as well as for his work in establishing communication with dolphins.

Latest Additions

Prevalence of Nitrous Oxide Use and Practices

Four micro-surveys conducted in September 2009 asked Erowid.org visitors about their recreational use of nitrous oxide; these results include how many people responding to the surveys have used nitrous, their frequency of use, and the most common method of use.

Cocaine Adulterated with Levamisole on the Rise

Illicit cocaine is often sold with impurities, some of them inert, and others psychoactive. Increasingly, cocaine is cut with active drugs such as levamisole, which can increase the risk of adverse reactions to street cocaine.

A Symbiotic Relationship

Erowid Center ran an information booth at the fourth Symbiosis Gathering, held near Yosemite National Park in Northern California. The event is a mixture of art, music, community, education, and celebration.

Crew Notes

We've moved our monthly announcements from the end of the month to the beginning and this is our transition month, so this Monthly is for September and October.

Crew members have been researching reported European deaths and injuries from several lesser-known research chemicals including 4-methoxymethcathinone (bk-PMMA, methedrone), MDPV, and 4-methylmethcathinone (4-MMC, mephedrone). Let us know if you can help with our work to verify and document health problems related to new and unusual substances.

From the Vaults

LSD Analysis: Do we know what's in street acid?

At events, we often get asked about LSD. For this Erowid Extracts article from 2003, we examined existing data and had several samples of LSD analysed by GC/MS. Can the "good acid" vs. "bad acid" debate finally be put to rest? Perhaps not.