View source for Human helminth care manual

=== Recreational drugs ===

==== ❌ Piperazine-based recreational drugs ====
<blockquote>
[http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/13102818.2008.10817529 Piperazine-based recreational drugs] are a group of stimulant drugs with similar effects to ecstasy. 
(See separate entry for details on [[#piperazine|piperazine]]) The main piperazine-derivatives that have been used for
recreational purposes include 
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzylpiperazine BZP] (Benzylpiperazine, A2, Frenzy, Nemesis)
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine TFMPP] (1-[3-(trifluoro-methyl) phenyl]piperazine) 
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meta-Chlorophenylpiperazine mCPP] (meta-chlorophenylpiperazine, 1- [3-Chlorophenyl]-piperazine). 
These drugs were frequently mixed with caffeine and a range of vitamins and binders to make party pills that were marketed as
“natural” or “herbal” highs, but were actually purely synthetic. Other piperazine-derived designer drugs include:
* '''AcBZP''' (4-Acetyl-1-benzylpiperazine, AceticBenzylPiperazine)
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methylbenzylpiperazine MBZP] (1-methyl-4-benzylpiperazine)
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2C-B-BZP 2C-B-BZP] (4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxy-1-benzylpiperazine) One user has reported that periodic use of 2C-B did not affect his colony of NA. 
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dibenzylpiperazine DBZP] (1,4-Dibenzylpiperazine) 
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methylenedioxybenzylpiperazine MDBZP] (3,4 Methylenedioxy-1-benzylpiperazine)
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==== ⚡ Yage (Ayahuasca) ====

<blockquote>
It has been opined that anything that enters the bloodstream and disorients a host has a potential to do the same to hookworms - since they feed on their host’s blood - and that, if the disorientation is excessive, it may cause the worms to lose their grip on the mucosa and possibly be flushed away from their home base in the small intestine, and be lost. Although the assumption that the worms will become inebriated by anything that inebriates their host has been questioned because the 'nervous system' of helminths is quite different from that of mammals, one recreational drug that might produce this effect and cause the loss of hookworms is the South American drug, yage, also known as ayahuasca, as well as by a number of other names. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayahuasca%23Nomenclature] 

This psychedelic brew, which is concocted by combining a variety of plant materials, was used as part of S. American native religious rituals and, since being commercialised, has become much more mainstream. Available in Europe and N. America through "churches" set up for its import, this drug causes a deep and immersive hallucinogenic experience during a “trip” lasting 4-8 hours, or 12-18 hours if the subject is re-dosed, which is not uncommon. 

"Its purgative properties are important (known as la purga or "the purge"). The intense vomiting and occasional diarrhea it induces can clear the body of worms and other tropical parasites [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2656954] and harmala alkaloids themselves have been shown to be anthelmintic. [https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2FBF02860378] Thus, this action is twofold; a direct action on the parasites by these harmala alkaloids (particularly harmine in ayahuasca) works to kill the parasites, and parasites are expelled through the increased intestinal motility that is caused by these alkaloids." [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayahuasca]

“Tropical plants used by South American natives produce an array of isoquinoline and tryptamine-related alkaloids that are not only hallucinogens, but powerful emetics with a wide range of other  biological activities, in particular antimicrobial and anthelmintic properties… We propose that these alkaloid mixtures were initially discovered and developed by indigenous people for treatment of a variety of parasitic diseases and incorporated into religious ceremonies using psychoactivity as an effective dose marker.” [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0378874182900538] 

However, in spite of all this evidence for the antiparastic potential of ayahuasca, one hookworm host has noticed no apparent adverse effect on her worms as a result of taking part in more than 10 ayahuasca ceremonies. [https://www.facebook.com/groups/htsupport/permalink/2523125094410097/?comment_id=2523255297730410] [https://www.facebook.com/groups/htsupport/permalink/2523125094410097/?comment_id=2523441614378445&reply_comment_id=2523573887698551] Another helminth host has confirmed anonymously that he was able to culture more NA from his colony after participating in 3 ceremonies in one year.
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==== ✅ Safe for human helminths unless marked ====

<blockquote>
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnotic Hypnotics] are generally worm-safe, e.g.
** '''propofol''' (see Anaesthetics section) is an ultrashort-acting sedative with amnesiac effects
** anything in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzodiazepine benzodiazepine] class of drugs (e.g. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valium valium])
** the short-acting nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zolpidem zolpidem] (e.g. Ambien [https://www.facebook.com/groups/htsupport/permalink/865157116873578/?comment_id=866638886725401&offset=0&total_comments=6&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22:%22R%22%7D], Ambien CR, Intermezzo, Stilnox, Stilnoct, Sublinox, Hypnogen, Lunata, Zonadin, Sanval, Zolsana, Zolfresh)
** the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcotic_analgesic opioids] (e.g. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codeine codeine], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dextropropoxyphene dextropropoxyphene], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dihydrocodeine dihydrocodeine], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrocodone hydrocodone], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxycodone oxycodone], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tramadol tramadol] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morphine morphine]) 
** along with any of their synthetic or time release variants (e.g. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fentanyl fentanyl]); [https://www.facebook.com/groups/htsupport/permalink/1080879281968026/?comment_id=1081015631954391&reply_comment_id=1081726205216667&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22:%22R%22%7D] 

*❓ [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitragyna_speciosa Kratom] (aka kratum and ketum). [https://www.facebook.com/groups/htsupport/permalink/868935276495762/] [https://www.facebook.com/groups/htsupport/permalink/868935276495762/?comment_id=869019499820673&offset=0&total_comments=2&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22:%22R%22%7D] Extracts and leaves of kratom are reported to have been used as intestinal deworming agents in Thailand, and the FDA has warned consumers not to use any products labeled as containing kratom. [http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/304821.php] However, one human whipworm host has taken small doses without any apparent effect on his worms [https://www.facebook.com/groups/htsupport/permalink/1788272677895346/?comment_id=1796502977072316&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R%22%7D] and a hookworm grower has reported no reduction in yield from his cultures after he took kratom.

* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opium Opium], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heroin heroin], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_(drug) cannabis]/[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_(drug)%23Marijuana marijuana]/[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hashish hashish], quat, etc., all appear to be worm-friendly.<br> A paper published in 2015 [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26031406] showed that, in the group of hunter-gatherers studied, those who consume cannabis have a significantly lower rate of helminth infection, from which the researchers concluded that the Aka foragers must consume cannabis to kill parasites, even though the scientists admit that, while cannabis kills worms in a petri dish, it has not been shown to kill worms in animals. A different explanation for the correlation seen in this study could be that those individuals with the most worms feel less need to smoke cannabis, and this ties in with the experience of the many helminth hosts who have seen a reduction in anxiety while hosting worms.<br> One host of both hookworms and human whipworms has confirmed the presence of eggs from both species after cannabis use, and another hookworm host who used 10 drops of hemp '''CBD''' ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabidiol cannabidiol]) oil twice daily, plus a few drops of '''THC''' ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetrahydrocannabinol tetrahydrocannabinol]) oil to help with sleep, has reported that her hookworms were unaffected. [https://www.facebook.com/groups/htsupport/permalink/1037560152966606/?comment_id=1037577039631584&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22:%22R%22%7D] Someone else used '''CBD''' oil for several months and noticed no adverse effect on his hookworms, [https://www.facebook.com/groups/htsupport/permalink/1239928846063068/?comment_id=1240221499367136&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R%22%7D] and this lack of any adverse effect  has been confirmed by numerous other cannabis users. [https://www.facebook.com/groups/htsupport/permalink/1406977876024830/?comment_id=1407227059333245&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R%22%7D] [https://www.facebook.com/groups/htsupport/permalink/1059227607466527/?comment_id=1059279190794702&reply_comment_id=1407016112687673&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R%22%7D] It has even been shown that CBD extends the lifespan and arrests age-associated physiological decline in the research nematode, C. elegans, so may potentially be beneficial for the health of other helminths. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35445360/]

* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocaine Cocaine], in its pure, unadulterated state, could be added to this list of worm-safe drugs, but it is commonly adulterated with other substances that might harm helminths, particularly ❌ [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levamisole levamisole] which, according to one report, is the most popular bulking agent found in 73% of seized coke. [https://www.hotpress.com/sex-drugs/10-things-know-cocaine-specialists-guide-22803299]

* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betel Betel leaves] -- The leaves of the Piper betle vine (part of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piperaceae Piperaceae] family, which includes pepper and ⚡kava) are used as a mild stimulant and are thought likely to be safe for human helminths, although there have been no reports from helminth hosts to confirm or contradict this. 

* ❌ [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Areca_nut betel nut] (or areca nut) seed of the areca palm (and also known as the areca nut palm, betel palm, Pinang palm and Indian nut) is often chewed wrapped in betel leaves - a combination known as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paan paan] that is used for its stimulant and psychoactive effects. Betel nuts contain the anthelmintic [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arecoline arecoline] and have been used as a tapeworm remedy. Fresh betel nuts are also known to be used very effectively by Torres Straight Islanders as a treatment for all types of intestinal worm, and surveys have found that the betel chewers were almost all worm-free, while others weren't. (Prolonged use of the betel nut can create addiction and the World Health Organization classifies the betel nut as a carcinogen.)

Most other recreational drugs should be safe for use by helminth hosts, including '''tobacco''', '''nicotine''' and most forms of '''alcohol'''.
 
* ➿ [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoholic_beverage Alcohol] -- Normal social drinking should not have any adverse effect on helminths, however, alcohol acts as an antimicrobial, and substances produced by the death of gut bacteria can enter the bloodstream to cause inflammation and allergic reactions [https://www.facebook.com/groups/htsupport/permalink/3958483847540874/?comment_id=3958511057538153] which can temporarily make it appear as though therapeutic helminths have stopped working. Overindulgence in alcohol may therefore cause a temporary reduction in worm benefits in a dose-dependent manner. Excessive consumption of alcohol that results in the user going into a coma due to alcohol poisoning may incur a greater risk to helminths. 
** ❓ [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absinthe Absinthe] is one alcoholic drink that might present more of a risk, as it was traditionally made using herbs reported to have antiparasitic properties, including ❌'''wormwood'''. (See separate entry). However, the risk from absinthe has been questioned because it only contains the essential oil of wormwood, while the anthelmintic activity of this herb has been linked more to the bitter principles and the alkaloids, which are not included in absinthe. 

* ❓ [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MDMA MDMA] (ecstasy) -- As primarily a serotonin and dopamine agonist, this is thought unlikely to have much effect on helminths. However, serotonin agonism increases peristalsis, so using MDMA may not be a good idea until after the worms have attached to the intestinal mucosa. Once they are attached, the increased peristalsis alone would not dislodge them. One hookworm host has reported that he has twice rolled with MDMA and it didn't kill his worms. [https://www.facebook.com/groups/htsupport/permalink/2331685740220701/] 

* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N,N-Dimethyltryptamine DMT] (N,N-Dimethyltryptamine or N,N-DMT) This psychedelic compound with powerful hallucinogenic effects has been reported by one user to be safe for use with NA.    

* ❓ [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LSD LSD] (Lysergic acid diethylamide) is unlikely to harm helminths, and there has been one report to confirm this.

* ❓ [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myristicin Myristicin] -- This psychoactive drug, which is the traditional precursor for the psychedelic and empathogenic drug [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MMDA_(drug) MMDA], is found in very small quantities in vegetables, herbs and fruits consumed by humans on a daily basis, e.g., parsley, celery, lemons, figs, carrots, grape juice, nutmeg and dill, but this dietary intake is unlikely to be harmful to helminths. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5004179/]

* ❓ [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peyote Peyote] (Lophophora williamsii) -- This cactus, which contains psychoactive alkaloids, including mescaline, is thought unlikely to harm helminths, but there have been no reports to confirm this.

* ❓ [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psilocybin Psilocybin], a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substituted_tryptamine substituted tryptamine], is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound produced by more than 200 species of mushroom. Although illegal in most countries/states, psilocybin is used for the [https://clusterbusters.org/treatments-options-choices-and-more/psilocybin-and-lsd-in-the-treatment-of-cluster-headache/ self-treatment of cluster headaches], and one hookworm host has reported using this compound for two months to treat severe migraines, without noticing any apparent effect on his worms. However, it is possible that higher doses of this hallucinogenic may disorient hookworms for long enough to cause their loss. 

* [https://psychedelictimes.com/healing-tobacco-rape-tribal-snuff/ Rapé] (pronounced “ha-peh”) is a powerful snuff originally used by shamans in Brazil and Peru as part of medicinal rituals. This sacred tobacco has increased in popularity outside of the Amazon during the early twenty-first century for its medicinal properties, and two hookworm hosts have reported using rapé without adversely affecting their colonies. [https://www.facebook.com/groups/htsupport/permalink/2523125094410097/?comment_id=2523128767743063] [https://www.facebook.com/groups/htsupport/permalink/2523125094410097/?comment_id=2523255297730410]
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