Extraction Teks

[Veritatis cupitor]

Hello and I'm glad to now be a part of this forum. I will start off by explaining what I mean when I begin discussing Teks. I congratulate the effort of and mean absolutely no offense to anyone who has written a Tek. I am simply providing my point of view.
I'll put it another way but first of all, I am very glad to have found such a wonderfully diverse and beautifully assorted collection of information. Especially on such sensitive and very serious topics as experimenting with N,N-Dimethyltryptamine. I come from a background "adorned" with occasions of experimenting with a few substances. Namely, those that I can easily obtain from within my small town. I have developed an enormous respect for any and all mind/conscience-altering substances and have been voraciously curious to "peer over the fence." Every time I've experienced either an enhanced "view" of reality or even the unrelated sensation of Alcohol Intoxication, I have been eager to push ahead and divulge even the most unprecedented and cataclysmic adventures humanly possible.
I have stumbled upon all sorts of information, some pertinent to my desires, some so complex and difficult to decipher, and some carelessly constructed articles of broken knowledge. Occasionally, I would excitedly discover diamonds of information amongst grammatically-incorrect, misspelled and pitifully crafted piles of "crap." (While trying not to be a hypocrite, I will make the best efforts to make this post and all future posts as grammatically correct as I am capable of.)
As I careen the oceans of cyberspace, I think to myself, when I come across a "recipe" for synthesizing/extracting DMT: "Wow, I didn't think it was that simple." It's not an entirely confusing process. Though, what I fail to see in most of these "Teks" are calculations, (such as simple Stoichiometry, Chemical Formulas or Solution Mapping etc.) the history and usage of DMT, or even proper laboratory procedure for that matter. I know that Teks are just quick, easy and concise methodologies, but most that I have come across are poorly constructed and have little-to-no respect for the Chemistry involved in these reactions. I would like to see some info on the rich and complex history, or serious Entheogenic usage of DMT in a "beginner's manual" or something to that extent.
I may just be complaining for the sake of it but I do feel that explaining such treasured information should be done with the utmost care and concision. I have absolutely nothing against the freedom of knowledge. In fact, I would sacrifice my life to protect it. There should simply be a greater respect for it.
All this to say, I would like to see a more carefully constructed and elaborate Tek in the future. As a matter of fact I would actually like to create one myself, once I master the procedure and actually experience said tryptamine myself. (For that I will make another post in the future if any one would be interested So, I look forward to and encourage any and all input, advice or supplementation to this post. Thank you for reading this and I wish you all the best in your own travels! Peace.

 

[Cosmic_Reality]

Welcome!!!! I like your idea, about having a beginners guide.

 

[MelCat]

I think this is a great idea that falls right in line with the Nexus University.

Welcome to the Nexus and I look forward to seeing this idea become a reality.

 

[benzyme]

I know that Teks are just quick, easy and concise methodologies, but most that I have come across are poorly constructed and have little-to-no respect for the Chemistry involved in these reactions

not really any reactions going on in these extraction methodologies, but I know what you're saying. It's a bit disappointing that many don't really care about the chemistry involved, they're more into it for the quick gratification, but what can you do. some are actually curious about chemistry, and to those I offer advice to enhance their technique.
another thing is, to optimize the extraction, certain tools greatly improve extraction efficiency, some that people either overlook, or would rather spend money on more bark or other plant materials. pH meter and separatory funnel are a couple of the essentials

 

[Veritatis cupitor]

Thanks for your input Benzyme. I have read some of your posts from all over the Nexus and I have a great respect for your thoughts and knowledge of Chemistry. I am still developing my grasp of Chemistry and have a moderate understanding. I do, however, have an excited curiosity, about the Acid/Base extraction process. If you don't mind, may I ask a few questions? What do you mean about there not being a reaction in the solution? Doesn't the HCl break down the MHRB and sort of "Ionic-ally Bond" to the alkaloid from the plant material? Also, When Basifying the solution with NaOH does it cause a precipitation or some other sort of reaction? Thanks for welcoming my ideas and when it comes to the teks, I agree. To each his own.

 

[benzyme]

the breaking of plant cell walls is of the utmost importance for any extraction, this is done by physical means, usually applied heat and/or pressure. the only real chemistry going on in the extraction process is protonation/deprotonation of the terminal amine (the one on the ethyl-group, to which the two methyls are attached). the rest is intermolecular forces.. van der waals interactions, and h-bond interactions.

 

[Cosmic_Reality]

the breaking of plant cell walls is of the utmost importance for any extraction, this is done by physical means, usually applied heat and/or pressure. the only real chemistry going on in the extraction process is protonation/deprotonation of the terminal amine (the one on the ethyl-group, to which the two methyls are attached). the rest is intermolecular forces.. van der waals interactions, and h-bond interactions.

See I didnt even know that. Thats why its really important to put the chemistry aspect of the extraction process in the tek.

 

[Veritatis cupitor]

"Ahhh... I see says the blind man." So that's why it's important to grind the material so thoroughly. Also that's why it's important to heat the MHRB+HCl after acidifying. Makes sense. A couple more questions... How important is the de-fatting process if even? And a little off topic, What about a vacuum filtration apparatus? Do you have any tips on filtering the aqueous solution with the vacuum filter? I'm wandering if it would be a worthwhile investment. The separatory funnel, of course is a necessity. It just makes sense.

 

[benzyme]

vacuum filtration is a luxury, but very useful... the vacuum itself becomes extremely useful for other applications, like desiccation, sublimation, and distillation. it is central to the applied arts

diaphragm pump is the sidekick of the hobbiest. it is suitable for all the aforementioned techniques. the aspirator and hand-driven pumps are limited to filtration applications.
for sublimation of high boiling compounds, and distillation of high-boiling solvents, the rotary vane is the ideal vacuum pump.

oh yea...and the rocking piston pump has basically the same effectiveness of the diaphragm pump.."rough" vacuum. rotary vane is considered "fine" or "deep" vacuum

 

[Veritatis cupitor]

Awesome! I never thought to look into Diaphragm Pumps. So, as a bio-analytical chemist, what sort of discrepancies have you come across in your own reviews of the extraction procedures detailed in Teks such as Volvin's, Yoda's, or even Quantum Tantra's? Seeing as how these seem to be the only plausible methods for my own extraction techniques. (Living in a studio apartment with the salary of a starving student) I would value some professional input. I, as many others do, value only the purest and most cost-efficient methodologies and I'm sure as anyone who has worked with these substances knows, you have to respect the chemistry. What tek or method do you propose yields the most pure and cost-efficient DMT?
Also, I had another two quick questions...
#1. Can you use a desiccator and perhaps some silica gel or the equivalent during the VM&P Naptha evaporation part of the procedure?
#2. Is VM&P Naptha sufficient? What about a more reagent quality organic solvent? Something like toluene or acetone?
Thanks!

 

[benzyme]

VM&P is a very accessible and cheap solvent, it is rather popular and effective, particularly when heated prior to extracting. after extracting with it, freeze precipitation is the common method used. it bypasses the need to evaporate it, since dmt is marginally soluble in it when warm, and insoluble when cold. naphtha has a fairly low boiling point, so it can be readily evaporated, or redistilled

all the common teks have similar approaches, so I don't have any particular critiques on them. they feature solvents that are readily available at most hardware stores...muriatic acid, lye, and vm&p.