Originally posted by 1cheeselova (4-FA as a long term cure for depression)

[helium-4]

^that is really ignorant imo.

Its because this is a harm reduction board and we don't know what the user is going to do or others reading it. We're going to give advice the best we can to help not only the op but other users who may see this thread. Someone is going to see this as, oh wow, I'm gonna start taking 4-fa because there is no consequences and its good for me! Research regarding amphetamine analogs havce been investigated and has been out for years and years showing that substitions on the benzene ring with halogens causes negative effect on 5-ht levels in the brain and takes time for it to normalize again. Yeah this isn't a big worry with fluorine, especially with occasional use, but it isn't repairing your brain or doing your brain any good by consuming them. Its not shown through research that occasional use is going to have any sort of magic healing properties and proclaiming so, especially using just ones anedoctal evidence, is silly. I support mentioning ones experience, but to make such outlandish claims with no evidence or research supporting such a claim is quite ignorant. As ignorant as assuming someone is going to continue taking it in the futrue

Also to the OP, if you have a problem with the mods, please take it out side this thread and up VIA PM with the mods. IF you have suggestions or feedback that is respectfully expressed about the forum, we have the support forum for that. OD isn't the place to bitch and moan about the unfairness of mods.

 

[ErgicMergic]

Someone is going to see this as, oh wow, I'm gonna start taking 4-fa because there is no consequences and its good for me! Research regarding amphetamine analogs havce been investigated and has been out for years and years showing that substitions on the benzene ring with halogens causes negative effect on 5-ht levels in the brain and takes time for it to normalize again

I agree, but some people's knee jerk "omg don't do it!" mentality isn't helping the kind of people who are using it occasionally now. I would never use a research chemical myself, but some lurkers do actually use drugs occasionally, even ridiculously addictive and hedonistic ones like amphetamines and amp analogues.

My comment still stands; this subforum is slowly deteriorating in to discussions of very irresponsible combinations and the glamorization of posters' drugs of choice without proper HR warning disclaimers attached. The new mod team is amazing, and they're helping us to turn OD around with sensible HR advice, as are our top posters, but it seems like the kind of "oh wow!" people you speak of are beginning to take over this subforum, unwilling to listen to the advice given to them, and nonchalant about the kind of life threatening activities they are so commonly engaging in. While I agree that any sort of drug abuse will just make you far more depressed and anxious, let's not make these occasional 4-FA users self-prophesize addictions to 4-FA by telling them that it's impossible to use it responsibly.

 

[Aphex747]

i find the best way to "get the most benefits" from 4-FA is to use it once a month, or sparingly as these others have suggested. when you do it often you come down harder and crash longer, plus your making your body have to break down and process alot more chemical. ive also done 4-FA 3 times now over the past 2 months, and i find it to help me with anxiety. the last time i did 4-FA(6 days ago), i had an afterglow the next day. i made sure to eat well that night and get some good sleep which makes all the difference, but i can see this substance as beneficial in the long run, but not if your using it on a regular basis. but rather use it as you would a good psychedelic experience. i realized i have anxiety and have maybe been keeping it subdued using this on occasion.

 

[taharka]

I have to agree with King of Beans. After struggling with depression and anxiety for a good part of my adolescent life, I discovered 4-FA in mid-May. With the exception of a (continuous) 1-week break, I've been using it every other day (50mg to 350mg, average being 150) for the past two months. I can't report any negative side-effects. A little jaw clenching on higher doses, that's about it. I don't really crave it, but it's more fun to be on it than not. But my life has completely changed since I started using it. I am much more pro-social, I've met tons of people, been to many parties. I'm having the time of my life.

And I know there has to be a horrendous down-side to this. Nothing in life is free, and something this good must be expensive. I went through 6 grams in these past two months. I'm out now, I have no more and can't afford more, and if I did buy more it would take over a week to reach me, so I'll be finding out what the withdrawal effects are, if there are any. But it's felt pretty much just like any other off-day. I hope I can keep up the momentum of my newfound life without the stuff.

There's very little information about the long-term effects of 4-FA, in spite of the fact that it's been in use as an RC since 2010 in Europe (or so I read). One user reports depression and tremors, and another here on BL worries it may have given him diabetes, although the other posters attribute his symptoms to normal amphetamine side-effects. But as for me, I've noticed a bit of tolerance, the euphoric effect diminishing slightly for equivalent doses. But other than that, and the fact that it's painful to insufflate, I have absolutely nothing bad to say about this compound [yet]. The highest dose I've ever taken was 150mg, and the highest cumulative dose in a day was 350mg. I never noticed any cardiac symptoms or anything like that. My memory and other mental faculties are likewise all intact. And I've been more creative lately than ever before. I would love more than anyone to hear that this compound is harmless (but I doubt that it is); I would invest in a lifetime supply and take a dose every day for the rest of forever.

I like to think that, if it killed any serotonin neurons, that it only killed the ones that were holding me back.

 

[tricomb]

No one can tell you 4-FA is harmless. You said it yourself that it's been out for two years.. That's nothing.

 

[noobienoobienoo]

This thread is irritating. Most everyone just regurgitating whats already been stated over and over. It adds nothing.

You really think someone will read this and think "hey, I'm gonna start taking large amounts of 4-fa daily!" ? Thats not even what the OP did, nor is he encouraging anyone else to do so. And no one here is under the impression that 4-fa is harmless... come on, people. Your reading comprehension can't be that bad.
Another thing, I don't quite understand why everyone is so quick to discount these claims, even after taharka mentioned experiencing the same thing. Has anyone here who's jumped on the "nope, OP's wrong, I'm right" bandwagon had any experience with 4-fa, or are you all merely stating what you've read and believe to be true about other stims?

 

[Coraline]

Ugh.... This is an annoying tread to read.....

Stimulates can make you feel better. Opposite of depression (sadness, no motivation, quiet) is happiness ( out going, talkative, motivation). So you feel down and take something that makes you feel uppity.

While most stims will do this it is doing some sort of damage to your brain. You only have so many seritonin receptors and if you damage deplete them your done. I forgot where I learned this I think a dr told me.

Occasional use of stims for recreation I see no problem. But if you are trying to make a thesis on the correlation of stim use = no depression then you are in the honey moon phase of drug use and don't fully understand what you are saying.

Of course you are going to feel euphoria with drug use. You feel good and happy. I understand you want to share this "good news" with everybody.

But you have no idea what you are saying. If you are really depressed, Op or readers, get professional help from a dr. They know about the brain chemistry and can give you something to help. Even if it's a excersise regiment and healthy eating to a drug that will increase seritonin safety.

Everybody gets depressed. I think exercise and doing something (helping a friend or even giving money to a needy person) that make you feel good and gives you self worth is 10 times better and is more help ful than putting a RC in your body. You have a positive memory and you develope positive self worth. If you feel good about your self your happier. Repeat this as necessary. Side effect, none. And there are no drug interactions.