Can I Prevent Nausea When Rolling?
QUESTION:
Every time I take E I feel really sick and usually end up puking on the come up. Whats weird is that none of my mates have this problem. What causes this? Is there anything I can do to stop it or is something just wrong with my body? Spending hours in the men’s room toilet pretty much ruins the magic every time.
—RollinUK
ANSWER:
Hey, Rollin’. It seems nausea is a problem for a lot of MDMA users I’ve talked to, so you’re not alone. The exact cause isn’t known, but is likely due to the stimulation of serotonin, 95% of which is concentrated in the nerves of the small intestine.
As for what you can do about it, the answer is “a lot”. None of it is guaranteed to work, but might be useful in at least reducing nausea. Here’s what I recommend:
*Take 1 or 2 Imodiums with your dose. Imodium (loperamide) slows intestinal contractions, preventing diarrhea, cramping and other GI symptoms associated with an overexcited tummy. Taking it at the same time as your MDMA gives it ample time to kick in, so time your dosing accordingly.
*Make use of nature’s bounty. Herbs like ginger, peppermint and lemon balm are all effective against nausea, especially when used for a couple days before the anticipated sickness. According to the National Institutes of Health, ginger is as effective as Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) for treating some types of nausea. It has even proven useful in chemotherapy patients and others with severe nausea, so don’t underestimate its healing powers. Try packing ginger powder into capsules or make a tasty tea from all three herbs an hour before dosing. Some people find that a small amount of marijuana is helpful, though too much can interfere with the MDMA experience.
*Don’t take ecstasy on a full stomach. Eating a big, greasy meal before rolling is a good way to ensure a nasty barf fest. Instead, eat a handful of crackers or another bland food before dosing.
*Start with a half-dose. Breaking your pills in half or separating the powder into two doses eases the comeup and allows you to test the pill’s effects. Wait about 45 minutes between doses, and wash each down with a healthy gulp of water. As an added bonus, many users find that half-dosing extends the pleasant feelings without diminishing the overall experience.
*Chill out on the comeup. Lying or sitting still helps reduce external stimulation that can aggravate nausea, so avoid excessive movement and noise until the comeup has passed. Try closing your eyes and sitting in silence, massaging your hands and feet or meditating to get into that mellow headspace.
If you still find yourself in agony after trying these tips, it may be time to re-evaluate your relationship with MDMA. Some people can’t tolerate the drug and find that the positive effects just aren’t worth it. Responsible drug use is all about weighing the benefits and risks, which is something each person must do for themselves.
(Another possibility to consider is that your “E” contains ingredients other than MDMA. Common adulterants like caffeine and piperazines can also cause nausea in some people. The only way to be sure is to use a test kit, which can be purchased here.)
Your Tummy Tempest-Taming Tutor,
Mary Microgram
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Sativa vs. Indica--What's the Difference?
Hi Mary. I’m new to weed and am trying to learn everything I can so I don’t sound dumb. The other day I over-heard my friends arguing about which strand of weed is better, indica or sativa. What’s the difference?
—theStonedScientician
ANSWER
Well Scientician, this is a common question among new smokers so I’m glad you asked. Cannabis sativa is the species from which the other two subspecies (indica and ruderalis) originate. Cannabis ruderalis is a very short plant that has virtually no psychoactive effects, so we’ll leave that one out. I’ll sum up the main differences in a list so you can compare the two for yourself:
SATIVA:
- Tall/lanky plants with narrow, light green leaves
- Usually grown outdoors due to height and long flowering time
- High is generally more energetic and “psychedelic” than indica
- Useful for depression, fatigue, appetite loss, nausea and migraine
- Popular strains include Maui Wowie, Haze, Durban Poison and Thai
- A common “island” strain grown in Jamaica, Maui and also Africa
- Higher THC content than indica
- Short/squat plants with broad, dark green leaves
- Can be grown indoors or outdoors
- High is usually more sedating and “heavy” than sativa
- Useful for insomnia, chronic pain, muscle spasm, anxiety and tremors
- Popular strains include Kush, Blueberry, Afghani and White Rhino
- Likely originated in Afghanistan, India and the Himalayan region
- Higher in CBDs (cannabinoids other than THC) than sativa
Despite these distinctions, most of these classifications are kind of moot today, as nearly every strain of weed contains a mixture of both sativa and indica genetics and is a hybrid to some degree.
As for the argument regarding which kind is “the best,” that’s completely subjective. Some people prefer the soaring, stimulating high of sativa-dominant strains while others enjoy the heavy, narcotic effects of indicas. In general, sativas are better suited for daytime smoking due to their uplifting effects, whereas indicas are great for unwinding in the evening after a hard day.
Hope that answers your question.
Your Partner in Poignant Potty Prose,
Mary Microgram
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Why is Marijuana Still Illegal?
QUESTION
Why isn’t marijuana legal yet?
–Chut the Moose
ANSWER
To answer that question, let’s take a look at the history of marijuana prohibition, shall we?
RACISM
Like heroin and cocaine before it, marijuana was perfectly legal throughout history. The popularity of marijuana skyrocketed during alcohol prohibition, becoming the drug of choice for “undesirables” like Black jazz musicians, Mexican immigrants and young whippersnappers looking for kicks.
In the late 1930s, a man named Harry Anslinger embarked on a campaign to demonize marijuana by scaring the nation into a panic. The drug was used as an excuse to lock up or deport minorities and harass young people who smoked it.
PROFIT
Another factor that cannot be overlooked is the financial impact legal marijuana would have on a number of industries. The versatility of hemp is almost unparalleled, with the plant being used in the production of:
*Pulp and paper
*Fabric and clothing
*Paint, varnishes and textiles
*Eco-friendly fuel
*Hemp-based food
*Medicine
*Recreational use
Considering that an acre of hemp produces as much paper as FOUR acres of trees, legal hemp would be the downfall of the pulp and paper industry…the very industry to which Harry Anslinger had close financial ties. Coincidence?
But timber is small potatoes compared to the impact hemp would have on the alcohol, tobacco, pharmaceutical and oil industries—some of the most profitable and politically influential industries in the world today. Because it’s impossible to patent a naturally occurring plant that can be grown by anyone, there is little incentive to legalize it. Add to that the fact that marijuana can be used to alleviate symptoms of multiple health conditions and it’s easy to see why certain prominent factions of society (read: drug companies and booze manufacturers) want to keep it illegal.
POWER/CONTROL
The last thing the federal government wants is another case of “Vietnam Syndrome” in the form of protests, dissent and free thinking, which is exactly what marijuana is known for. Smoking marijuana was a political act in the 1960s, fueling war protests, civil rights marches, sit-ins, be-ins, concerts like Woodstock and a host of other counter-cultural events where capitalism, war, organized religion and other prevailing ideals were publicly shat upon.
In addition, America’s drug laws give law enforcement the power to lock up “troublemakers” (poor people and minorities) while simultaneously feeding the prison-industrial complex—a system of privatized prisons, military involvement and war for which our country is famous. Private prison companies like Wackenhut spend millions each year building inmate housing facilities and are not about to lose money with vacant cells. Inmates are a source of cheap labor, building products that go beyond license plates to include goods with brand names like Microsoft, Starbucks, TWA and Victoria’s Secret. And guess who accounts for a majority of the U.S.’s inmate population? You guessed it: non-violent drug offenders.
These are but a few reasons for marijuana’s current Schedule I status, though ignorance, fear and apathy also play a role. The good news is that it’s not a hopeless battle. You CAN make a difference by writing your state senator, organizing local protests and meet-ups and signing petitions to legalize or decriminalize marijuana.
Peace Out, Stay Green
Mary Microgram
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What are the Risks of Poppy Tea?
QUESTION
I’ve been drinking the lowest dose of Poppy pods, 1 teaspoon per day now for 5 days. Ive found it a great antidepressant for me, like no other! MAOIs, SSRIs none of them.
My question now is, is this very low dose daily dangerous for me? is it addictive? will I go through hard withdrawals with long term use?
Please note that I would never increase this dose, I don’t wanna get high, don’t want euphoria, just this very low dose that makes me feeling really normal, Ive had no background of opium use before this. I’m a 23 year old male.
Hope to hear from you soon,
Thank you Lady!
—Anonymous
ANSWER
Boy, Anonymous, can Mary ever relate to this. Mary knows firsthand about treatment-resistant depression/anxiety and the benefits of poppies, though she would never recommend them to anyone due to their illegal and potentially addictive nature.
To address your question, let me break down the basics for you. These are the most important points you should know about poppies:
*Poppy pods (Papaver somniferum) contain opium, a psychoactive substance made up of morphine and codeine. Other less-active alkaloids found in poppies include papaverine, thebaine and oripavine.
*Poppy pods are a long-acting opiate, producing effects that can last up to 14 hours. In addicted persons, longer-acting opiates require less frequent dosing and are sometimes used to taper down from more powerful drugs like heroin or fentanyl.
*Regular use of poppies can lead to physical dependence. You know you’re dependent when you experience withdrawals upon discontinuing a drug. Physical withdrawal symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, flu-like aches and insomnia. Psychological symptoms like anxiety, depression, restlessness and mood swings are also common and can be dangerous in those with pre-existing mental conditions. Dosage, frequency of use and other factors influence the severity and length of withdrawals.
*Poppy pods can cause psychological addiction, though this is more common in people who use high doses frequently for the purpose of “getting high”. Symptoms of psychological addiction include strong cravings/preoccupation with a drug and an inability to stop despite negative consequences.
*Opiates were once prescribed as antidepressants for their ability to ease anxiety and depression. This practice was largely discontinued after less addictive drugs were invented in the 1950s, though they are occasionally prescribed for this purpose today for severe treatment-resistant cases.
*Unlike alcohol and tobacco, opiates do not cause chronic organ damage with long-term use. The most common side effects include constipation, erectile dysfunction and physical dependence.
*It is possible to overdose on poppy pods. Mixing pods with other depressants like Xanax or alcohol greatly increases the risk of dying from respiratory depression and cardiac arrest. The alkaloid content can vary greatly between batches or even among pods from the same batch. Grinding up an entire batch of pods at once, mixing the powder evenly and measuring it carefully is the safest way to dose.
*Frequent use of poppies can lead to tolerance, or a need for higher doses to achieve desired effects. Taking periodic breaks and keeping the dose low can help counter this effect.
*While poppy pods are widely available, they are technically illegal in the U.S. and many other countries (only the seeds are legal to sell or possess). Even though the likelihood of being busted for using poppy pods is low, it’s always a possibility. Poppy alkaloids can be detected by drug screening tests as well. Be discreet.
To summarize, your use of low-dose poppies to control depression is unlikely to cause serious health problems unless you increase the dose or frequency of use. You may experience withdrawals if you attempt to quit, but they’re unlikely to be too severe at such low doses. Despite their natural origins, poppies are no less dangerous than other opiates. The risks of overdose and addiction are the same. Compared with other popular drugs like alcohol and tobacco, however, opium is less likely to cause chronic health problems when used responsibly.
Respect the pod and it will remain a helpful ally; abuse it and it will become a destructive force that magnifies your emotional problems a hundredfold. Treat it as you would any antidepressant–as a controlled-dose, once-daily medication–and you should be fine.
Your Populist Poppy Podhead Priestess,
Mary Microgram
