Washing the spice versus re crystallization

[strtman]

In order to take away every possible misunderstanding, I would like to submit next case.

Washing the spice is done to get rid of the basic sludge (lye, MHRB drops etc.).

Re crystallization is done to get rid of the goo (plant oils etc.).

I have noticed that when people ask questions about being afraid their DMT is not pure, sometimes other people advise them to do a re crystallization. If my hypothesis is true, this is a wrong advise. Or not?

 

[steppa]

If my hypothesis is true, this is a wrong advise. Or not?

No. Recrystallisation IS a purifying process. It may take out oils and fats to a certain extend AND it will also allow to get rid of basic soup that got in your spice.

 

[strtman]

Can you explain when you decide to wash and when to re crystallize?

 

[pitubo]

Washing the spice is done to get rid of the basic sludge (lye, MHRB drops etc.).

Re crystallization is done to get rid of the goo (plant oils etc.).

Actually I think that recrystallization is a much better method than washing to remove plant matter and lye inclusions. When redissolving the dmt in a minimal amount of warm naphtha, lye, carbonates and plant dust will not dissolve, but tend to stick to the glass. When the dmt has dissolved, decant into a clean container for precipitation.

Everyone can do this simple cleanup recrystallization. When trying to get rid of goo, waxes and oils, it is IMHO more of an art and may require special crystallization tricks and techniques.

 

[strtman]

Thank you. Due to your information and other responses I got today through this Forum I will do a re crystallization.

 

[Nitegazer]

The responses provide good information. Just to put out a different perspective--

Many extractors, especially those who are chemists, like to end their process with large crystals of snowy white. Achieving it takes skill and is rewarding, but it is not at all necessary.

Plant oils and 'goo' that are left after a good washing make the spice yellow or even orange and can make the DMT difficult to crystallize-- but it is still very good DMT. A goo may even make the product more desirable for dabbing.

As long as the solvents, excess base and such are out of the product, re-xing is not needed imo-- unless the consistency makes it too hard to measure out a dose. Purity comes at a cost, which means lost yield for all but the most skilled and diligent.

 

[1ce]

It seems you all misunderstand the whole process. They're not 2 means to the same end, they're both simply an equal part of the same process. So I will talk about both.

Rapid crystallization (such as sticking your naptha in the fridge overnight) forms crystals very quickly. The consequence of very quick crystals is that they form quick enough to trap other compounds from their structure. But this step is useful, because now your DMT has been fairly well isolated from millions of other compounds.

This is where washing comes into play. Washing is used to remove compounds that are NOT trapped in the DMT crystals, but rather to rid impurities that are WITH the DMT crystals. Once substance is washes, you recrystallized again, slower, to form a structure that is mostly only DMT with considerably less contaminants to get trapped in the crystal.

Solvent can also be trapped in crystals, and as it is heated dissolves DMT, and evaporates off leaving a goo. Tryptamines for the most part do not spontaneously form crystals when their solvent is evaporated. They form a sticky PITA oil. So take extra care with these steps when working with tryptamines if you want to see crystals in your plates.

 

[Nitegazer]

It seems you all misunderstand the whole process...
Solvent can also be trapped in crystals, and as it is heated dissolves DMT, and evaporates off leaving a goo.

I hate it when that happens...:surprised

And here I thought goo was related to plant oils ala Enough GOO questions!

Quote from the FAQ:
"people need to get this imbedded in the psyche and save themselves a lot of un-needed worry, or worse still waste of perfectly good plant alkaloids..

in the Acacia Analysis Thread you will see an example of how a goo/paste is actually over 92% DMT..

remaining an oil form is due to either small amounts of beta-carbolines and/or NMT"

 

[Nitegazer]

I realize that there may have been some confusion around the term 'wash.'

A wash can either happen before crystals form (ie. a sodium carbonate/water wash of naptha prior to freeze precip) or a wash can happen after crystals form (ie. saturated salt solution wash of harmala salts).

I think Ice was referring to a wash done to DMT crystals after precipitating, though that is generally not done in DMT teks, and I don't think that is what the OP was asking about.

For DMT, a wash with calcium carbonate in solution is recommended: FAQ: Should I Wash My Spice

Recrystalization is fine, but as I said in my earlier post, it is often unnecessary.

[Take that you dead horse! BAM BAM]

 

[1ce]

^ Good point, a wash could also be done in solution prior to precipitation. The purpose it serves is identicle: To move contaminants away from DMT for example.