No, Solipsis. It seems to be a myth that stems from the fact that any batch of seeds can be coated with fungicidal agents. And yes, there is evidence that some companies use fungicidal agents on their seeds. This issue was brought up in a case report on morning glory seed ingestion. The author of this case report reported that the particular chemical agent that he idtentifed was too weak to create complications if it was ingested, however this report is from 1964 and said fungicide may have since been replaced with other chemical agents with different properties. The author also notes that a group of allegedly discontinued fungicides could elicit a toxic reaction.
It has been suggested
6 that the insecticide coating on the morning glory seed might be promoting adverse side effects that have been noted. The majority of commercial seeds are treated with N-tri-chlorete which is a fungicide and seed protectant having a tolerance of 100 parts per million.
8 Thus, this is quite an inocuous product from the toxicologic point of view and would require ingestion of quantities beyond the capacity of the stomach to absorb, in amounts found as a seed coater, to be considered lethal.
9 Symptoms involving the nervous system would be lacking if we were dealing only with the effects of this fungicide. Formerly, compounds containing mercury were used extensively as fungicides and there is the possibility that some seeds so treated might pose a toxicologic danger if ingested. This is considered unlikely as the newer seed protectants have been in use for a considerably longer period than the current morning glory fad.
It would seem then, that both the psychological and physiological effects observed in the ingestion of the seed of the morning glory reside in the alkaloids of the seed and not the seed protectant. The LSD-like reaction is most likely due to the LSD-like alkaloids for no pure LSD has as yet been isolated from the seed. As all compounds occurring in the morning glory seed have not been studied intensively enough to inspire confidence in their respective roles, they cannot yet be considered for scientific experimental use much less be used irresponsibly in excitement-seeking self-experimentation.
6. Cohen, S.: Suicide Following Morning Glory Seed Ingestion, Amer J Psychiat 120:1024-1025 (April) 1964. DOWNLOAD
8. Frear, D.E.H.: Pesticide Handbook, State College, Pa: College Science Publishers, 1963, p 8.
9. Frear, D.E.H.: Personal communication to the author, July, 1964.
JAMA, Dec 28, 1964 • Vol 190, No 13
Ingram AL (1964): Morning glory seed reaction. J. Amer. reed. Ass. 190, 1133–1134. doi:10.1001/jama.1964.03070260045019 (
DOWNLOAD)
Additionally, two peoplpe have reported that they contacted the Burpee company and were told that Burpee's morning glory seeds are not treated with anything. Bluelighter
morninggloryseed stated that in the distant past, he called "the big three" seed companies regarding this issue and all the companies said that the seeds are untreated.*
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here's a cool update for everybody interested in trying this with burpee seeds. As stvip recommended, I emailed the company that made my seeds and this was the reply I got as to my question of:
Are the seeds chemically treated at all?:
We do not treat our seed with any toxic chemicals.
Our seeds are untreated and we even have some vegetables in an organic
line.
You can feel free that the seeds you handle will not leave a residue of
toxicity on your hands.
Sue
Burpee Customer Service
08/03/05 MycoMateo http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/4490792#4490792
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Burpee has NO pesticides nausea stomach discomfort and vomiting is normal on burpee morning glory seeds. (Last year i emailed them and asked) I never got sick off of burpee brand morning glory (flying saucers, heavenly blue)
06/25/07 implee http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/7092490#7092490
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More evidence of treated seeds:
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I just received some seeds that were treated with fungicide maxim apron, I have never planted with treated seeds before, what do you think about health risks? Should i return them?
Thanks,Wendey
Jan 13, 2012 wendeyzee
http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/cornucop/msg011631318352.html
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*
http://www.bluelight.org/vb/threads/715530-Morning-glory-seeds-LSA?p=12212305&viewfull=1#post12212305