tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2116085973306668397.post1913337376415994240..comments2023-11-06T18:49:51.851-08:00Comments on Admiral Cod: Jünger: Interesting DrugsLaguna Beach Fogeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08027025872132699493noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2116085973306668397.post-7603049615506016842013-01-25T06:24:04.333-08:002013-01-25T06:24:04.333-08:00Junger has a very intriguing attitude regarding th...Junger has a very intriguing attitude regarding the mental effects of tea versus coffee: let us not forget that the principal active ingredient in both is caffeine. <br /><br />Thus we might expect the experiences to be had from drinking either to be similar if not identical. Indeed, Lewin (author of "Phantastica"), categorised both as belonging to the class "Excitantia". Here they accompanied camphor, betel, kat (khat), kola nut, mate, Ilex cassine, cocoa, tobacco, arsenic, mercury, guarana and parica. Five of these are also caffeine-containing.<br /><br />Obviously, there are other chemicals present in tea leaves and coffee beans and some will not be common to both products. - Perhaps these differences are the cause of Junger experiencing them as belonging to separate pharmacological classes.<br /><br />It is very odd, however, that Junger classifies tea as a "phantasticum"; a substance belonging to the "phantastica" or "hallucinating substances", as Lewin subtitles them. In this category he places Anhalonium Lewinii (peyotl), cannabis, fly agaric, henbane, Hyoscyamus muticus, thornapple, Datura arborea, Banisteria caapi (actually ayahuasca-potion: DMT plus beta-carbolines, basically), Dubiosa hopwoodii (pituri), Gelsemium semipervirens and the Loco Herbs.<br /><br />- Had it existed when Lewin wrote, surely he would have placed Hofmann's LSD in this class too.<br /><br />To put tea and LSD-like substances together is indeed strange for most people, but this is precisely what Junger has done. However, I make no claim at all that he should not have: His personal experience is what has guided him, so maybe he really did find tea mind-expanding. <br /><br />Two potential explanations spring to mind: i) Junger's physiology may have been unusual, or ii) he could have been experiencing a placebo effect. Unfortunately, I can see no way of determining which.<br /><br />Regardless, Lewin makes some odd categorisations himself: today most would reckon parica to be a phantasticum or psychedelic, to use a more modern term, and cannabis not to be one. - Or at least not a strong one at normal doses. Cocaine is placed by Lewin into the class "Euphorica" or "Mental Sedatives". Today most would disagree and, if following his categories, would put it in the "excitantia" with other stimulant drugs.<br /><br />On a final note, it may be sensible to consider how much tea Junger was drinking. With respect to excessive consumption, Lewin mentions the case of "A man who from youth had become accustomed to drinking exaggerated quantities of tea and had reached a daily consumption of 30 cups suffered from symptoms of anaemia, suffocation and hallucinations."Oh dear...noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2116085973306668397.post-12490829012025845052012-11-09T13:36:55.257-08:002012-11-09T13:36:55.257-08:00To raise your spirits:
http://www.thelocal.ch/pa...To raise your spirits:<br /><br /><br />http://www.thelocal.ch/page/view/gay-cameroonian-wins-asylum-in-switzerlandBlancnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2116085973306668397.post-33415800761759040142012-11-09T12:03:46.505-08:002012-11-09T12:03:46.505-08:00A great man.A great man.King Learnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2116085973306668397.post-78397710982177052972012-11-08T21:52:43.082-08:002012-11-08T21:52:43.082-08:00A day in the sun, on the beer, watching Australia ...A day in the sun, on the beer, watching Australia vs. South Africa in Test Match cricket makes me agree.<br /><br />You really should pop down some day Coddy.Cameronnoreply@blogger.com