I want to do this tec:

https://wiki.dmt-nexus.me/Enoons_Cold_Caapi_Tek

but I am not sure how to use NaOH.

1. If I have it dry how much g x ml?
2. How much is needed to neutralize the vinegar?
3. Since the reactions can be strong, what should I worry about?

thanx
Jox

Hey Jox, good thread. It might be a good idea to move this over to the safety section.

1. I'm unaware if there is a "standard" ratio to use when it comes to making a lye solution. I typically shoot for around 1g/10ml so it would be around 10g of lye for every 100ml of water. You can make it stronger or weaker but I find that it's usually a good starting point.

2. The amount of lye needed depends on how much vinegar was used. More vinegar = more acidic = more lye needed. The beautiful thing about harmalas is their beautiful color changes. It's hard to it wrong when you're working with a clear container.

3. As far as reactions go, I'm unaware of all of the possibilities with other chemicals but for our use, the key points to keep in mind are:

- Never pour water into lye. Always pour lye into the water slowly. Adding the water to lye can cause a violent reaction, especially when aluminum is involved.

- Never use anything aluminum.

Nexus Chemists : If there are any other reactions to be aware of or if my statements here are off base, please let us know.

And general safety guidelines when working with lye are:

- Be careful to never splash or spill the solution. Lye solution is highly corrosive and will eat away at just about anything aside from glass and certain types of plastic.

- When handling lye, always were gloves, goggles and long sleeves. Lye can cause blindness and severe burns. Try to keep as much of your body covered as possible in case of spills or splashes.

- ALWAYS keep some vinegar close by to neutralize any possible spills.

- ALWAYS keep some fresh water close by in case any does get into your eyes. Always know where this water is so if you can't see, you'll still be able to find it. Flush eyes out continually for at least 10 minutes and seek medical attention. If asked what you were doing, say "Making soap".

- Do not breathe in the fumes while the lye is reacting. Try to keep a well ventilated area while working with lye. The fumes are odorless but can't possibly be good for you.

- Goes without saying but I'll say it anyways, always keep lye and lye solutions out of reach of children and animals. This stuff is far too dangerous for a kids level of curiosity and carelessness.

- More information available at http://www.ccohs.ca/osha...droxide/working_sod.html

Thanks for asking this as it's pretty important and Welcome to the Nexus.

when using lye be sure to wear safety goggles and gloves in a well ventilated chemistry safe area. always have vinegar on hand to neutralize spills, and never add water to lye. slowly add small amounts of lye into water (make sure the vessel is hdpe2 or glass) and stirr until dissolved. lye dissolving in water creates an exothermic reaction, so do not attempt in a confined vessel (ie bottle) because the pressure may lead to lye being spewed ruthlessly.

as far as precipitating harmalas, there is no real need to precalculate this. make a basic solution (lye if you will) and slowly add it to your harmalas solution, when the color changes from dark to chalky/grey your alkaloids are being precipitated. mix thoroughly then set in the fridge/ somewhere safe over night. by the morning your alkaloids should be precipitated if you have a ph of 9+

make sure that you do a sodium carb/bicarb wash on your final product if you intend on using them as freebase for ingestion. this will remove all traces of lye from your product.

Also NEVER pour HOT water onto lye...I made that mistake once and it nearly hit the ceiling

Now I add the lye to cold water and stir..very little reaction apart from getting warm..

Hi nexuses,

thank you so much for the response, so my conclusion is:

1. There is NO any reaction with vinegar and NaON? Doesn't bubble up and spill, get hot?

@ ipumaestro:

the tec I am following doesn't talk as you said:

make sure that you do a sodium carb/bicarb wash on your final product if you intend on using them as freebase for ingestion. this will remove all traces of lye from your product.

here are the tecs:
https://wiki.dmt-nexus.m...lkaloid_Extraction_Guide
https://wiki.dmt-nexus.me/Enoons_Cold_Caapi_Tek

would you say they are missing that step?

thanx
Jox

The water flushes provided in those teks are suitable without worry of lye traces. Just make sure you use plenty of water when doing the flushes.