Propylhexedrine absolutely all the way!! The L-methamphetamine in Vicks is basically a bunch of stimulant side-affects and other nasties like camphor and lavender w/ no (comparable) recreational value. Propylhexedrine is, quite possibly, the best cheap, legal euphoric stimulant available to basically anyone.
In my home state (CA) they do not card you for purchase, not do they look at you strangely if you were to buy three boxes at once (not that I have ever done this myself
) because some people become mildly addicted to them even through their proscribed methods of usage (sinus congestion) and experience such bad rebound congestion that they don't feel comfortable w/out them.
Also, IMO, many of the bad effects people get (vomiting, nausea, 24 hour stimulation, headaches, etc.) is almost certainly caused by people either eating the cotton, which is a terrible idea or taking too much. I believe that the cotton not only contributes to the nausea/vomiting, but also buffers the propylhexedrine, making it, in effect, "controlled release", as the stomach has to take time to absorb it from the cotton. This could contribute to the 12-24 hours "strung out" stimulation that people write about.
>>>>>Propylhexedrine Usage advice (purely in the interest of harm reduction
):
1) NEVER EAT COTTON. I tell this to everyone, for the reasons given above, plus it can cause other fun problems like dangerous intestinal blockages, and IS NOT dissolved in the stomach. And don't try chewing the cotton either; some combination of the vasoconstriction of the propylhexedrine and the essential oils burns the almighty hell out of your tongue. This is from personal experience: after I tried that, it took me at least a week to taste things with the side of my tongue that had come into contact w/ the cotton. No joke!
2)Extraction is super-simple: First make an acidic solution with water and either lemon juice, vinegar, or ascorbic acid (vitamin C crystals). I find that ascorbic acid powder tends to work best, and can easily be bought at health food stores. Make a acidic solution (err on the side of safety and make it as sour as you can drink), cut up the cotton into 5-7 pieces, put the cotton/acid solution in a jar, shake, seal, and leave to soak for 12-24 hours (I find this works best, but hot water can cut down the soaking time if you're in a hurry.) Prior to consumption, squeeze all the water out of the cottons, and discard them. Hold nose and drink
.
3) The effects are, in my experience, extremely pleasant, and surprisingly un-jittery: There is an early onset of energy similar to a high dose of a caffeine, but this fades in the first hour into a clear, powerful euphoria w/ very stimulating mental qualities (the urge to talk philosophy/politics, do math problems, etc.), while at the same time being physically inactive. In its action, it seems to be much more dopaminergic than adrenergic, although this is just my guess. Also, empathy, openness, mild inhibition, increased libido, pleasant full-body tingles, increased ease breathing, and numbness in the upper earlobes can occur. The effects (from an extraction) start at about 20-30 min. after consumption, and largely end 4 hours after consumption.
4) Fun things to do: Bike, take shower, talk like crazy, write, sing, listen to music, draw/paint, etc, etc
>>>>>>Downsides:
1)The taste can be quite unpleasant (sour and reeking of menthol and lavender) but any brave soul with a beverage-of-choice chaser can swallow it down. For this reason, use only enough water to fully submerge the cottons, so you have to drink less product. Yum!
2) I have never felt over-stimulated from my standard dose of propylhexedrine (250 mg), but I'm sure that this could happen for many, so start with a maximum of 125 mg, and possibly less, for safety. Also, you are quite likely to get cotton mouth, so hydration is essential. And, as with many stimulants, this one has very definite anorexic properties for up to 5 hours after consumption.
2) The "crash" is characterized by substantial lethargy, sleepiness, and (potentially) mild dysphoria/depression, but nothing too terrible to handle. I find that this can be largely mitigated by any of the following: Eating carbs or sweets during and after experience, sleeping, and taking tyrosine (anything from 1000-3000 mg depending on personal metabolism) anywhere from 3-4 hours after consumption. Caffeine also helps to get rid of any residual blues or low energy the next day.
