Amor fati's Nontoxic Approach to Spice Extraction

Note:

This page tracks the development of amor_fati's Nontoxic Approach to the Extraction of DMT. The content is to remain accurate as such.

The process of DMT extraction has always been a relatively simple and forgiving process and can be approached with a wide variety of methods and techniques for varying degrees of success and quality of product. Most of the more common time-tested techniques involve processes and materials resembling the production of other less savory substances, and often require large quantities of time, materials, strain, and space on the part of the operator. Perhaps the most concerning quality common to these techniques is the toxicity and other hazards inherent to the materials in use. However, less toxic and even completely nontoxic approaches have been in development for some time, now, and hope to usher in a new era of wholesome, food-grade extraction of psychedelic substances.

This approach hopes to establish a thorough and reliable nontoxic method of extraction to yield results comparable to those of its less wholesome ancestors.

Abstract

One of the most unfortunate realities of the extraction of DMT from whole MHRB, is the process of pulverization, as most households aren't equipped with the proper equipment to thoroughly pulverize the material into powder. Furthermore, the equipment most used for the task are either slightly expensive or prone to damage when used in this way--sometimes both. The inspiration behind the method of pulverization used here was one that seemed among the most noteworthy yet developed: The combination of a blender and a mason jar to perform the task carries the advantage of being able to contain all the source material reliably (to include the messy, potentially damaging dust produced in the process), and to contain it with the same vessel in which the first stages of extraction may be carried out. Drawing on this method of pulverization, this tek expands on it by making it more thorough and combining it with other portions of the extraction process.

The extraction portion of this process uses three vessels in which all stages of extraction will cycle through in order to reduce mess, loss of material, and loss of product. The bulk of the process will take place in a single vessel in which pulverization and basification will occur and in a rather automated fashion. Then all material will be transferred to a vessel in which washing, decanting, and filtration of the target solvent will all take place simultaneously. After passing through this vessel, the target solvent will be collected in another vessel. The process of the second and third vessels can then be repeated by pouring the solvent back into the first vessel, then back through the second. If unsatisfied with the results, the material can be transfered back into the first vessel and blended with more reagent.

Rendering product from the extraction involves salting by thoroughly mixing the solvent with acidic water and then separating the layers to collect the water from the bottom and reuse the solvent from the top. The collected solution can then be evaporated with heat and airflow to yield precipitates consisting of salted product and excess acid, which can be purified simply by dissolving the product in water, decanting and evaporating.

The process can take a relatively short amount of time, with the longest waiting periods being the process of preparing MHRB for pulverization, time for solvent to pass through the material, separation of the polar and non-polar layers, and evaporation. The reliability of this method of extraction is derived from its ability to render a homogeneous mixture of MHRB, lime, and water and allow that mixture to remain moist so that the reaction is ensured to go to completion.

Procedure

Note:

Steps 3-4 may prove unnecessary and will be removed pending trial by experimentation.

Materials Required
Source Material: 100g whole MHRB
Solvents: d-H2O d-Limonene
Reagents/Desiccants: 50-100g Hydrated Calcium hydroxide, aka Pickling Lime Fumaric acid Distilled White Vinegar
Equipment: A simple blender with a blade assembly to fit a regular-mouth jar 2 regular-mouth quart mason jars 1 32oz HDPE bottle Cotton balls Cotton cloth (flour sacks) Suggested Equipment: Food dehydrator Separatory device (separatory funnel, or a glass gravy separator) Evaporation dish Small container for preparing FASW (i.e. 450mL "Naked" or small IPA HDPE bottles) Slightly larger HDPE or glass jug for salting (i.e. large IPA or hydrogen peroxide or vinegar HDPE bottles)

1. Prepare MHRB for pulverization by breaking up by hand or any other method suitable.
2. Add 100g MHRB to a regular-mouth quart mason jar.
3. Attach blender blade assembly and pulverize contents thoroughly.
4. Thoroughly moisten the bark with vinegar, replace the lid on the jar, and heat in a hot water bath below boiling.
   

   
   
   
   

   
   • acid and heat treatment may aid in breaking down the material for extraction.
5. Add 50-100g hydrated lime to the jar w/ sufficient amount of water to thoroughly moisten contents.
6. Add an amount of limonene just short of filling the jar.
7. Attach blender blade assembly and blend/pulverize contents thoroughly until of a doughy consistency.
8. Prepare The Herbal Percolator (THP) by cutting the bottom off a 32oz HDPE spray bottle, stuffing cotton balls in the neck loosely, and covering the nape of the neck with a few layers of cotton rag.
9. Set the bottle in a clean regular mouth quart jar with the rim of the lid loosely screwed onto the the mouth to prevent a seal from forming between the bottle and the jar.
   • remember to remove the rim prior to pouring out the collected limonene to avoid a mess.
10. Pour the contents of the blending jar into THP and stir while allowing limonene to pass through into the collection jar.
11. Continue to pass limonene through THP until satisfied, adding more if necessary.
    • preferrably by pouring the limonene into the original blending jar and using it to wash any remenants into THP
12. Prepare a saturated solution of a known amount of fumaric acid.
    • referred to as 'FASW', or 'Fumaric Acid Saturated Water'.
13. Combine FASW with the limonene used for extraction in a glass or HDPE jug and shake vigorously to mix thoroughly.
14. Allow to separate and for emulsions to settle and pour into a separatory device.
15. Collect bottom water layer for evaporation and top limonene layer for reuse or recycling.
16. Evaporate using heat of no more than 120F and sufficient airflow and collect salt and acid precipitates.
    • scraping the product off the dish can be difficult, so it is easier to scrape it into a pile while still wet, then continue to dry.
    • comparison of the total weight to that of the known amount of fumaric acid should indicate amount of freebase product present.
17. Purify the salted product by dissolving in water and decanting off of excess undissolved fumaric acid and evaporating.
    • the coloration of the decanted solution should indicate the amount of product dissolved.
18. Collect the dry, solid DMT Fumarate, and handle with care and sincerity.
    • this product contains approximately 76% DMT freebase.

Notes Regarding the Extraction Process

• The use of only 100g MHRB per THP is recommended to avoid overflow in the process of stirring as well as damage to the blender, but more may be used if the operator see's fit; however, it is strongly recommended that no more than 150g be used at a time. If too much is used so that stirring is found difficult, an amount can be removed and simply kept in the blending jar and stirred in limonene between transfers.
• For multiple extractions to be performed at a time, it is recommended that the operator prepare the total amount of limonene to be used in the process and add to each as needed. When complete, the limonene can be collected and salted as a total amount.
• This process can theoretically be applied to other DMT-containing botanicals with only minor adjustments and even to the extraction of mescaline from dried cactus material with the use of a more appropriate acid.

Advantages

• Nontoxic and wholesome
  • Requires only food-grade materials with little or no potential impact on health or the environment.
• The use of only household equipment and materials
  • All items are readily available on the open market and are commonly found in the home.
• Minimal material demand
  • Less material to handle and less cost than most other extraction teks, making the process of extraction and disposal of materials much less messy or risky.
• Potentially expedient
  • The process may only require a day to perform, yielding adequate results, overnight.
• Simplified
  • Many of the processes required for extraction have been combined and largely automated: Such as filtering and decanting, as well as mixing and pulverization.
• Effective use of whole MHRB
  • Generally cheaper more readily available, also with less risk of vendor introduced impurities or premature oxidation of product.

Appendices

The preceding sections comprise a complete approach to rendering a pure product from whole plant material, but for most, the salt form of the product is not the desired form for administration--specifically by vaporization; thus, a conversion to freebase may be considered an essentially indispensable stage in the extraction process. However, the salt form is ideal for long-term storage and oral administration, so most merely convert as much as will be needed for immediate use. Freebase conversion has been included under the appendix because there is not yet a reliable, non-toxic method of accomplishing this.

Notes Regarding Conversion of Fumarate to Freebase

The process for freebase conversion is much like the process of extraction, but on a smaller scale with simpler equipment and a solvent intended to facilitate crystallization. The common processes used unfortunately do carry a degree of toxicity due to the nature of the solvents in use. However, one less commonly used and reportedly difficult nontoxic method does exist. The following is a brief outline and discussion of these methods.

Nontoxic Freebase Conversion of DMT

Though completely nontoxic, this method is reportedly difficult for achieving a dry product, as moisture can be difficult to remove. Dissolve DMT fumarate completely in a small amount of water. Mix with a saturated solution of sodium carbonate until basic. Allow time for crystallization to occur. Collect and dry product thoroughly. Store in a cool, dark place in a sealed container, preferably protected from moisture and oxygen.

Drytek Freebase Conversion of DMT

This method is by far the easiest and most expedient way to achieve a usable freebase product. Though it is advisable to keep everything completely free of moisture in this process, impurities carried through by moisture are not dangerous and merely effect weight. Mix DMT fumarate with an equal amount of sodium carbonate and moisten thoroughly. Allot adequate time and stirring for complete reaction. Mix in anhydrous magnesium sulfate until material is thoroughly dry. Add enough anhydrous acetone to completely submerge material and allot adequate time and stirring for dissolution. Decant acetone into an evaporation dish and evaporate in a dry space, allowing crystal formations to cover most of the dish. The resulting product will be of a waxy consistency when scraped up. Continue to pull with acetone until material is apparently exhausted. Store in a cool, dark place in a sealed container, preferably protected from moisture and oxygen.

Crystalline Freebase Conversion of DMT

Though heptane is a bit more toxic and more difficult to evaporate than acetone, it is able to achieve a more pure, hard, crystalline product. The only likely potential impurity--assuming proper decanting--is residual heptane. Mix DMT fumarate with an equal amount of sodium carbonate and moisten thoroughly. Allot adequate time and stirring for complete reaction. Add enough warm heptane to completely submerge material and allot adequate time and stirring for dissolution. Decant heptane into a small open glass vessel and allow to evaporate with or without airflow. The resulting product will be crystalline with some leftover oil that may be recycled. acetone works well for recycling uncrystallized product. Air-dry material thoroughly before storage. Continue to pull with warm heptane until material is apparently exhausted. Store in a cool, dark place in a sealed container, preferably protected from moisture and oxygen.

Though relatively simple, the conversion of DMT fumarate to freebase tends to pose some difficulties for achieving a pure and well crystallized product. Decanting from material containing magnesium sulfate powder will often carry particulates that are not easily filtered. Evaporation can take an excessive amount of time to achieve a solid product and often doesn't result in a very solid product. These techniques are intended to remedy such problems.

Nontoxic Conversion

Nontoxic Conversion of Full-Range Fumarate Extract of Jurema to Freebase w/ Hasty Manual Crystallization

Step 1: Mix fumarate w/ sodium carbonate Step 2: Moisten to facilitate reaction Materials Required Source Material: Fumarate Extract of Jurema NOTE While this procedure may work for pure DMT fumarate or even other salts of Spice, it has not yet been proven by experimentation. Solvents: d-H2O Reagents/Desiccants: Sodium Carbonate can be rendered from baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) Equipment: Razor Blade Lab Spatula any similar tool will work Evaporation Dish Collection Vessel Step 3: Spread mixture Step 4: Wash product Mix DMT fumarate with an equal or greater amount of sodium carbonate on the evaporation dish and moisten thoroughly, dropwise. Allot adequate time and stirring for complete reaction. Spread the moistened mixture evenly and thinly across the dish. the more thinly and evenly spread, the more likely the product will adhere to the glass, preventing it from being washed away as droplets in suspension. Add a minimal amount of water to dissolve the sodium carbonate and salt byproduct by tilting and rolling the puddle around the dish to ensure adequate contact. When all visible sodium carbonate grains have been dissolved and all particulates settled, carefully decant the water into a collection vessel and save in case of product loss. Use a razor blade to spread the oily product thinly and firmly across the dish in cross-hatched fashion. When the oil thickens to a pasty consistency, use a lab spatula repeatedly scrape up and and spread out the product until it thickens noticeably more. Spread the product thinly across the dish and allow to harden to a clay-like consistency. Scrape up and mold to the desired form and density to collected. Store in a cool, dark place in a sealed container, preferably protected from moisture and oxygen, and handle with care and sincerity. Step 5-6: Decant wash-water Step 7: Spread firmly Step 7:Spread firmly Step 8: Repeatedly scrape and spread Step 9: Allow to harden Step10: Scrape up to collect

Drytek Conversion

Drytek Conversion of Full-Range Fumarate Extract of Jurema to Freebase w/ Hasty Manual Crystallization

Materials Required Source Material: Fumarate Extract of Jurema NOTE While this procedure may work for pure DMT fumarate, it has not yet been proven by experimentation. Solvents: d-H2O Anhydrous Acetone Anhydrous IPA may work as well. Reagents/Desiccants: Sodium Carbonate can be rendered from baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) Anhydrous Magnesium Sulfate converted from epsom salt Equipment: Razor Blade Lab Spatula any similar tool will work Dropper Evaporation Dish Reacting Vessel Collection Vessel Transfer Vessel Cotton Balls Small HDPE Bottle Mix DMT fumarate with an equal amount of sodium carbonate and moisten thoroughly. Allot adequate time and stirring for complete reaction. Mix in anhydrous magnesium sulfate until material is thoroughly dry. Prepare a small THP by cutting the bottom off a small HDPE bottle, stuffing cotton balls in the neck, inverting it and suspending it over a glass receiving vessel. Empty the material into THP and pour anhydrous acetone through the material into the collection vessel. If particulates leak through the filter, pour the acetone back into THP and repeat until no more leakage occurs and until satisfied with the level of saturation as indicated by the color of the solution. Pour acetone into an evaporation dish Continue to pull with acetone until material is apparently exhausted as indicated by a lack of coloration. the material can be left in THP and stored as such to be reused without removing the old material or filter. Evaporate acetone in a food dehydrator below 100F until sparse droplets of liquid remain. evaporation and crystallization can be accomplished simply by leaving the dish in a dry area for a few days, foregoing this step and those following. adding a small amount of acetone and even heptane when the liquid has reduced to a small puddle may hasten the evaporation process Use a razor blade to spread the oily product thinly and firmly across the dish in cross-hatched fashion. adding minute amounts of acetone drop-wise may hasten the process. When the oil thickens to a pasty consistency, use a lab spatula repeatedly scrape up and and spread out the product until it thickens noticeably more. Spread the product thinly across the dish and allow to harden to a clay-like consistency. Scrape up and mold to the desired form and density to collected. Store in a cool, dark place in a sealed container, preferably protected from moisture and oxygen, and handle with care and sincerity.

Appendices

Chunks of Freebase Jurema Produced by Manual Crystallization

Material Preparation

Conversion of Sodium Bicarbonate into Sodium Carbonate

Sodium carbonate on left and bicarbonate on right, both in oversaturated solutions. After vs Before the conversion. Sodium carbonate on left and bicarbonate on right. Notice how carbonate is more grainy and bicarbonate more loose/fluffy Weigh your sodium bicarbonate, and put it onto a non-aluminum pan or oven-safe dish. Place in the oven at 400ºF (205ºC) for one hour to one hour and a half to release CO2 and water. Alternatively you can put in a stainless steel (dont use any other material!) pot on the stovetop, 20mins should be enough. Be careful because the powder will be VERY hot, leave it to cool down for a while. The resulting material should have lost around 20% of the original weight. It will be of a slightly less powdery consistency, closer to sugar than flour. If it didnt lose a third of the original weigh, leave it for longer in the oven sodium carbonate feels a bit looser and grainier than bicarbonate, and in an oversaturated solution, sodium bicarbonate will remain powdery while sodium carbonate tends to rock up. NOTE This can also be done on a stove top/oven ring in a pot and take around 10 minutes to completely dehydrate

Rendering Anhydrous Magnesium Sulfate

Spread Epsom Salt (Hydrated Magnesium Sulfate) on an aluminum foil covered pan. Place in the oven on 400°F for about one hour, or until the salt becomes gray and ash-like. Place your now anhydrous magnesium sulfate into a storage container and store away from moisture. If it becomes hydrated again, the process can be repeated. NOTE This can also be done on the stove top/oven ring, however it should be noted that as the Epsom Salt releases water it will stick to the inside of your pot but as it reaches complete dehydration and becomes grey and ash like it will unstick and become a powder.

Rendering Anhydrous Acetone
Pour anhydrous magnesium sulfate directly into the can of acetone. Shake vigorously for an extended amount of time. Allow to settle for one day. Observe the magnesium sulfate at the bottom of the can. if it appears extremely moist, repeat the process. if it appears quite dry, the acetone is ready for use. Store away from moisture and never leave uncapped.

THP Approach to Rendering Anhydrous Acetone
Prepare THP by cutting the bottom off of an HDPE bottle and stuffing cotton balls the neck. Fill THP with anhydrous magnesium sulfate, leaving enough room for an appropriate amount of acetone to fill. Pour acetone through THP until satisfactorily dried. Store acetone away from moisture and never leave uncapped.

Special Thanks

• To Infundiblum for developing the first nontoxic freebase conversion technique which inspired the nontoxic technique contained herein.

Special Thanks

• To 69ron and Infundiblum for pioneering the use of fumaric acid in the refinement of DMT.
• To 69ron for pioneering the use of lime and limonene for the purpose of extraction.
  • apart the use of a blender, this tek is almost identical to SWIM's THP approach to 69ron's mescaline extraction tek and not far off from 69ron's proposed technique for the nontoxic extraction of DMT.
• To Jorkest for pioneering the use of limonene and FASW in DMT extraction.
• To Bufoman for developing a nontoxic, simple means of purifying DMT fumarate.
• To the Nexian who developed the blender method of pulverizing MHRB.
• To The Herbal Percolator for all its simplicity.
• And to The Traveler and the rest of the Nexus for making this possible.