Introduction
Your methamphetamine product is strange, and you decided to carry out pollution and admixture testing experiments to figure out it's safe to use. Then you open this article and use it as a guide for experimenting. There are list of manipulations with methamphetamine product, the brief description of products and useful information for home tests.
Forms
At room temperature, the free base of methamphetamine is a clear and colorless liquid with an odor characteristic of geranium leaves. In contrast, the methamphetamine hydrochloride salt is odorless with a bitter taste. It has a melting point between 170 and 175 °C (338 and 347 °F) and, at room temperature, occurs as white semi-transparent crystals or a white crystalline powder. Also, may sell as white powder with slight beige tint. Powder methamphetamine is the hydrochloride salt form, which is strongly hygroscopic (absorbs water from the air quickly). The HCl salt is smokable as is. Crystal meth "Crystal Meth" or "Ice" refer to methamphetamine grown into crystals. Methamphetamine is smokable in its normal HCL form, but taking the time to grow it into crystals makes it easier to smoke. Meth in visible crystals (rather than powder) is likely to be relatively pure, as it is difficult to grow crystals from impure material. Methamphetamine freebase is an oil that is uncommon on the street.
Stereoisomers and pharmacokinetics
Methamphetamine is a chiral compound with two enantiomers, dextromethamphetamine and levomethamphetamine. Methamphetamine and amphetamine have a chiral center, and the drugs may be abused as single isomers or a mixture, depending on the drug product or source. To decrease methamphetamine abuse, many precursors are now controlled substances, including pseudoephedrine. Although d-methamphetamine is the isomer that is usually abused, other synthetic pathways via unregulated precursors can be used to make racemic and l-methamphetamine. In the United States, illicit methamphetamine is predominately distributed as the d-isomer. Whether the pure isomer or a racemic mixture is encountered depends on the synthesis used by illicit manufacturers (usually referred to as clandestine laboratories). This, in turn, is controlled by the availability of precursors.
Racemic methamphetamine has effects similar to those of pure d-methamphetamine, suggesting that this form of the drug has an abuse potential similar to that for d-methamphetamine. In contrast, although l-methamphetamine is psychoactive, this isomer alone generally produces less pleasurable effects than doses containing d-methamphetamine. The t½ for l-methamphetamine is slightly longer than that for d-methamphetamine (approximately 13-15 hours versus 10-11 hours after venous injection). The longer half-life (elimination) of l-methamphetamine probably accounts for the difference in clearance of the enantiomers after the racemate because the volumes of distribution are similar and clearance was different only when the racemate was given.
The pharmacokinetics of the methamphetamine enantiomers are similar, but there are substantial pharmacodynamic differences between the isomers. At high doses, l-methamphetamine intoxication is similar to that of d-methamphetamine, but the psychodynamic effects are shorter-lived and less desired by abusers.
Racemic methamphetamine has effects similar to those of pure d-methamphetamine, suggesting that this form of the drug has an abuse potential similar to that for d-methamphetamine. In contrast, although l-methamphetamine is psychoactive, this isomer alone generally produces less pleasurable effects than doses containing d-methamphetamine. The t½ for l-methamphetamine is slightly longer than that for d-methamphetamine (approximately 13-15 hours versus 10-11 hours after venous injection). The longer half-life (elimination) of l-methamphetamine probably accounts for the difference in clearance of the enantiomers after the racemate because the volumes of distribution are similar and clearance was different only when the racemate was given.
The pharmacokinetics of the methamphetamine enantiomers are similar, but there are substantial pharmacodynamic differences between the isomers. At high doses, l-methamphetamine intoxication is similar to that of d-methamphetamine, but the psychodynamic effects are shorter-lived and less desired by abusers.
Possible side products and adulterant substances
Very common admixture of meth is Caffeine because this substance stimulate CNS with short similar effect as methamph and amph. Such nootropics as Cinnarizine and Piracetam may be detected in mix with methamphetamine. Also, meth. (methamphetamine) often can be substituted by amphetamine, a-PVP analogs, which have similar stimulation effects. Methadone, MDMA, MDA, fentanyl, ketamine, lidocaine, C-x, 4-MMC derivatives or PMA may be sold in mixture or instead of meth. Since unsubstituted benzaldehyde is difficult to obtain, there are substitutions for substituted benzaldehydes, for example 2-fluoro benzaldehyde, and hence you may get 2- or 4-fluoromethamphetamine instead of meth. Some medications such as noramidopyrine, aspirine or metamizole sodium may also be added. Besides of adulterants street methamphetamine may have common by-products in composition such as N, N,a-trimethylbenzene ethanamine; N-methylbenzeneacetamide; N,a,a'-trimethyldiphenethylamine; N-benzyl-a-methylphenethylamine; 1,3-diphenyl-2-(methylamino)propanol and etc.
Algorithm of procedures
1. Firstly, you have to provide visual checking of your stuff. If your product has different color from semitransparent white crystals or white powder with slight beige tint, It, probably, has some organic or inorganic pollution, which can change color. Any other colors, than this will mean a dirty or substituted product.
2. Secondary, carry out a simple experiment with dissolving your product in water. Dissolve 100 mg (100 mg is enough, but more is better) of the amphetamine sample in 10 ml room temperature water. If your sample is dissolving well, it means that, probably, you have quiet pure drug. Important: grind dense lumps of powder before the experiment, small lumps may form in the sediment.
2. Secondary, carry out a simple experiment with dissolving your product in water. Dissolve 100 mg (100 mg is enough, but more is better) of the amphetamine sample in 10 ml room temperature water. If your sample is dissolving well, it means that, probably, you have quiet pure drug. Important: grind dense lumps of powder before the experiment, small lumps may form in the sediment.
You have to interpret the results of the dissolution experiment. If your product is completely insoluble or partially dissolves, it could be caused by the addition of caffeine. There are links to simple experiments to determinate caffeine in amphetamine powder by Wagner's reagent and Nitric acid and ammonia solution.
3. Thirdly, confirm the compliance of the product with meth. by LF tests (drug testing kits). You will receive clear result about your substance and admixtured narcotic substance (if it takes place to be) and these tests help to choose next step. Take amphetamine and MDA drug test strips firstly. Also check your substances for other narcotic such as a-PVP, mephedrone, methadone, fentanyl (most popular row) and so on (see Possible side products and adulterant substances above).
4. Fourthly, сheck pH of the meth. Solution from step 2. Powder of methamphetamine can be polluted by organic powdery acids (ascorbic, citric, etc.), organic powdery bases (Novocaine, Lidocaine, Caffeine, etc.). «Determination of impurity in synthetic PAS» exactly describe method of determination of them.
5. Very useful checking method of your meth. is «Drugs testing reagents». This method helps to determine kind of admixtures. Som instructions represented below, they are describing checking procedures and explain results. There you can find methods of reagent synthesis.
Reagents can be divided into primary and secondary. Primary reagents react with the expected substance, while secondary produce a vibrant color change with an adulterant. Here are a few keynotes:
4. Fourthly, сheck pH of the meth. Solution from step 2. Powder of methamphetamine can be polluted by organic powdery acids (ascorbic, citric, etc.), organic powdery bases (Novocaine, Lidocaine, Caffeine, etc.). «Determination of impurity in synthetic PAS» exactly describe method of determination of them.
5. Very useful checking method of your meth. is «Drugs testing reagents». This method helps to determine kind of admixtures. Som instructions represented below, they are describing checking procedures and explain results. There you can find methods of reagent synthesis.
Reagents can be divided into primary and secondary. Primary reagents react with the expected substance, while secondary produce a vibrant color change with an adulterant. Here are a few keynotes:
- Marquis – primary test for most powders, secondary test for cocaine, ketamine, mephedrone.
- Mecke – primary test for most powders, secondary test for cocaine, ketamine, mephedrone.
- Mandelin — primary test for opiates, MDxx.
- Simon’s – main test for secondary amines, e.g. MDMA, meth, mephedrone, methylone or PMMA.
- Robadope – main test for primary amines, e.g. MDA, amphetamine or PMA.
Marquis reagent is the main test for meth/amphetamine and produces a strong orange color change which fades to dark brown. Mecke reagent is the follow-up primary test to confirm the presence of meth over amphetamine. Simon’s and Robadope are useful both to confirm meth/amphetamine and detect primary amines (2C-x, amphetamine, MDA, P MA) in secondary amines (meth, MDM A, PMMA, mephedrone derivatives).
Place meth. sample (couple crystals) into a small white/colorless plate or Petri dish. You will get test result with Marquis, Mecke and Mandelin reagents such as follows
- If they give orange, no reaction and green colors respectively (see pictures above), it means that it is, probably, pure methamphetamine or amphetamine. Addition of Simon’s reagent reveal belonging to a particular substance. Meth. sample will change color from white to blue. Amphetamine gives no reaction.
- If these reagents do not give any reaction, it means that your sample probably is a-PVP.
- If reaction with Marquis reagent give purple to black reaction, Mecke reagent give greenish-black reaction and Mandelin reagent give black reaction it means that your sample contain MDA/MDE or MDMA.
Try secondary reagents. Secondary reagents produce a vibrant color change with an adulterant, but not with the expected substance.
Secondary reagent tests for meth/amphetamine:
Secondary reagent tests for meth/amphetamine:
- Froehde reagent does not react with meth/amphetamine, but does with most powders
- Robadope reagent can confirm primary amines (MDA, 2C-x, amphetamine or PMA)
- Simon’s reagent can confirm secondary amines (MDMA, meth, x-MMC, or PMMA)
- Zimmermann reagent can detect secondary (4-MMC derivatives) and tertiary (a-PVP analogs) cathinones
According to data from testing reagent experiments, you may compare and approve result by TLC.
Take TLC plate, polluted sample of meth., real meth. and clear a-PVP/MDA/MDMA (if you have), make four spots of substances and elute them, count Rf and compare results with the literature data. If your sample spots will split in two or more parts, which will have same level of a-PVP/MDA/MDMA and real meth., it means that your sample has a-PVP/MDA/MDMA contamination. If your s ample does not have spot in real meth. level, it means that you have a-PVP/MDA/MDMA with something as meth., substance with similar appearance.
Take TLC plate, polluted sample of meth., real meth. and clear a-PVP/MDA/MDMA (if you have), make four spots of substances and elute them, count Rf and compare results with the literature data. If your sample spots will split in two or more parts, which will have same level of a-PVP/MDA/MDMA and real meth., it means that your sample has a-PVP/MDA/MDMA contamination. If your s ample does not have spot in real meth. level, it means that you have a-PVP/MDA/MDMA with something as meth., substance with similar appearance.
Conclusion
Melting point verification can be added to the first step to confirm quality compliance and to determine the degree of impurity content. The best ways to determine composition of methamphetamine product are GC-MS or LC-MS analysis because powder or crystals may contain adulterants and by-products row which may cause hard to interpret test results. However, this manual allows identifying most number of methadone impurities and approve results by different methods.
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