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20 Things to Remember

When Mixing Drugs


These harm reduction tips have been researched and compiled by drug users for drug users. We have taken into account the drugs most likely to be used, (ecstasy, ketamine, GHB, poppers, speed, cocaine, 2C-B, 2C-I, magic mushrooms, salvia) and provided twenty bang up-to-date things to remember when embarking any kind of...night out? etc etc....


1) Magic Mushrooms: Start slow -the strength of mushrooms can vary enormously depending on their growing conditions. The head of the mushroom is more potent than the stem. Start with one or two, wait 40mins and see how you feel.

2) If you're having a 'bad trip' or want to 'come down', a few notches eat or drink something with lots of sugar in it - orange juice or Lucozade works well.

3) Don't eat any dried or grounded mushrooms unless you know the source. Avoid all trips (including 2c-b,2c-7, 2c-I ) if you've been under heavy emotional strain. If you feel sick, drink lots of water. A mushroom trip will last 3-6 hours - don't mix mushrooms with other drugs, you won't need too and it's not respectful!
Note: smoking dope can intensify and lengthen your experience - you've been warned!

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4) Ketamine: Take K in 'bumps' or very small lines, you WON'T need as much as you would use with other powders.

5) Your movements will be impaired on Ketamine, in fact you may not be able to move at all, so protect yourself from unwanted sexual attention or robbery by surrounding yourself with good friends and don't take K with strangers. Moving or dancing could lead to problems - and as you may not feel any injuries till later, it's better to stay put..

6) Ketamine and alcohol combined sometimes leads to aggressive behaviour, sopace yourself.

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7) Ecstasy: If you take E's and dance, sip a pint of water (no more) every hour and have regular rests from dancing.
8) If you are; getting cramps in your arms, legs or back, feeling dizzy, nauseous, or faint, have stopped sweating, are finding it difficult to piss or are peeing highly coloured piss - then you may be overheating. Stop dancing, get a drink of water, get some salt and/or some sugar into your body (crisps, sweets, isotonic drinks) and get somewhere cool. Chill out till you feel better.
9) You don't need to take 4 or 5 pills for a good night. Research states that in order to avoid the peaks and troughs that can lead to the need to take another pill one should take their first dose (say ½ or 1 pill) and then, if you must top up, waiting 1 ½ hours before taking ½ that dose again . This should serve to set up a comfortable plateau, Space your use out - the effect will be better and it will be less problematic and taxing for you, especially the next day…

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10) 2C-B, 2C-I, 2C-7; With both stimulant and hallucinogenic properties, these drugs are extremely 'dose sensitive'. Over a certain dosage, every 2 milligrams taken can create a profound increase or change in response. i.e the difference between taking one pill/capsule to taking 1 ½ or two - is huge.. Go slowly - or you could embark on something you're not quite ready for. This can last 4-8 hours and, unlike many other drugs, each time you take them can be a completely different experience from the time before.

11) Taking ecstasy increases the effect of 2C-B et al so be warned! If you must mix your drugs, it's been recommended that you take 2c-b, (or 2c-1, 2c-7) at the end of your E experience and not in the middle..

12) Usually coming in capsules or pills (the capsules are usually stronger) if yours comes in powder - people do snort it but it is extremely painful to do so and the trip comes on stronger and faster. It stings like fuck for about 15 min. You've been warned!

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13) Stimulants: Never share straws or other snorting equipment - always use your own as hepatitis A, B or C could be transmitted this way.

14) Cocaine dehydrates the body and if you're drinking alcohol as well, a dehydrated body will absorb alcohol even more rapidly and further drinking can lead to alcohol poisoning. If you do drink, always substitute every 2nd glass with a drink of water. You'll feel much better the next day. Coke and alcohol combined produce a substance in the bloodstream called cocaethylene which is much harder on your liver than either drug alone.

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15) GHB/Poppers: GHB is odourless, usually comes as a slightly salty tasting liquid and, while low doses can have a feel good, relaxing effect, higher doses will have a sedative effect. Again, it's important not to take it with strangers, and avoid alcohol - as it's often the combination that has been responsible for serious problems like date rape or even coma/death. Take it easy, stay with friends. Poppers: Careful with poppers, especially when mixing with other stimulants. Poppers can hugely intensify the experience when taken on top of other drugs, which doesn't always go down well, especially with trips or Ketamine. Always check poppers expiry date as old amyl can make you pretty sick..
NOTE: GHB can sometimes be stashed in popper bottles, don't drink anything you aren't sure of the origins of and again, take your drugs with close friends to avoid problems later on….


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16) Salvia / DMT Despite being legal, Salvia divinorum can be a seriously heavy duty trip, and not always a pleasant one, though short. Salvia is really for shamanistic sessions, where you have a sitter there for you, no noise or distractions around you, darkness, calm intent…It is not a joyride drug, DMT type effects can be very intense. Don't experiment unless you're with a trusted, experienced pal and not at a festival, club, noisy or unfamiliar place...

17) Always keep an eye on your drinks - if possible keep a lid on any bottles and hang onto your drink.. Better to be safe….

18) Chew gum to keep any jaw grinding from doing damage to your teeth when on stimulants or ecstasy, if you haven't got any, ask someone else who may, it can help lessen sore mouths the next day.

19) Remember to pace yourself - 72hours of partying will be much more fun if you're conscious. Always try and eat something reasonable before taking any drugs and drink water, isotonic drinks, juice etc regularly. Rest, pace your alcohol intake and make use of any opportunities to chillout..

20) Information is available. You can speak in the strictest confidence and get first hand information from drug user related organisations. See our links - or ring BP. Always ring an ambulance for a pal if you think there's a problem - never leave them or waste time by slapping their faces or trying to wake them up. Just ring the ambulance. See our overdose prevention pages for ways to deal with OD's. Look after yourself and your mates.

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Material based on a BP leaflet, used at festivals.




 

 

 

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