New to the site. Thanks for all the help already!

[Whooligun]

I just joined the site yesterday, and I am amazed at all the info here, that I've never seen before.  I have never heard of using mushrooms for CH, or knew that eating seeds could help either. 

I have been geting CH since I was 15, 20 years now.  They are a lot less severe these last few years, but this current cluster has been going on for almost a year....I fear I have become chronic. 

I have been trying a lot of new things lately, acupuncture, massage, verapimil, had a sleep study done, dentist, etc.

Was hoping to find a cause, but now I just want a temporary reprieve.  I will be trying some RC seeds, and have also tracked down some fungi cookies.  I know the cookies arent the ideal way to get my mushrooms, but Im ready to try anything.

As far as the RC seeds go, what I gather so far is that I first put 50 or so (to start) in a glass of water.  Replace the floating seeds.  Then, grind them up with lemon juice.  Let them dry, finally ingest.

Thanks again for the help Ive gotten just from looking around the forums, and for the help Im sure I'll get in the future.  Hopefully I can return the favor somehow.

[Arde]

As far as the RC seeds go, what I gather so far is that I first put 50 or so (to start) in a glass of water.Replace the floating seeds.Then, grind them up with lemon juice.Let them dry, finally ingest.

No no, grind them up, soak for an hour, and either filter the sludge out and drink the liquid or drink it all, sludge and all. Some soak there seeds for two hours or more. The shot of lemon juice supposedly extracts more of the LSA from the seeds into the water. Anyway it does help the taste a bit.

[damiano]

Do this:

If you are sure the fungus cookies are legit -

***make sure you have detoxed off of all meds***

** Make sure you read the files section, I didn't (well I scanned read them ) and then I wished I would have so I would have known what to expect the next day with a slap back**

Step 1. Load iPod with a good play list

Step 2. Prep room with low lighting and no sounds (background sounds bug me while Im trippin)

Step 3. Have a light dinner - (chicken and rice) not too much

Step 4. Wait an hour or more after eating dinner - then go pee

Step5. Eat a cookie and check what time it is

Step 6. Wait 20 to 30 minutes to see how you feel - you might feel stoned almost - you may even start laughing at dumb things and the lights become more vivid and a little brighter.

Step 7. If you are not feeling it after about 25 minutes or so , I would personally eat half of another one, maybe the entire thing.

Step 8. Pop headphones in ears and go lay down and relax to the music - warning tho - you might keep playing the same song over and over again lol...

Step 9. get a good nights rest for the most part.

Step 10. and finally go to the store the next morning and get about 6 red bulls - you will need them for the incredible "slap Back" you will experience about a day later (for me anyway). If you have O2 keep it ready and on standby. It will more than likely be one big ass kip 8 or 10 , the worst you have ever had in your life and it will hang for a while - perhaps the longest one you have ever had.

Step 11. Wait to see how you feel over the next 3 to 5 days to determine if you will need to dose again - you will know - you can feel it - it is either still with you or it isnt - you will have small shadows maybe, possibly about 3 to 5 days later you will start to have them again - time to re-dose.

The problem I see with your cookies is this - 1. you don't know how much was put into one cookie 2. you don't know if one cookie has 1 gram or 2 grams in it so it is going to be hard to gauge the dose this way.

I once heard that cooking shrooms into foods might take away some of the potency as well, so you may find yourself eating all of them up and you might trip, but do you have enough to trip again when you will need to dose again?

Personally I think that once you go down this path you cant look back at the pharmaceuticals or you will blow this treatment plan and it wont work then you are back having to detox again if you are able to get more cookies or fungus. Very painful - I would rather only do this one time.

One more thing - For me this has been a miracle for some as you see on here - it might not work - but you will never know if you never try it. For me the verapamil wouldn't work anymore and neither would the trex. But I caution you to make sure your meds are legit and good quality and the next time try to get them in raw form so you know the dose - it makes it easier to gauge somewhat how much you are taking in. Also make sure you are in a good state of mind before ingesting - it would suck to have a bad trip and scare you away from using this method if it works because you were in a bad state of mind at the time of your trip. Think positive - this is going to work - you can almost feel the beast leaving your noggin - for me this took 3 doses.

Be patient and remember to read the cluster files section - it lays it all out - you can also PM me and there are others on here that you can PM or ask questions to - I am still a rookie and there are some get veterans on here that will help you.

Tony

[damiano]

By the way - our profiles sound somewhat similar - I was episodic and still am but as I get older the cycles get closer - I went form every 4 years - to every other year - to now yearly. Strange cycles too- one cycle one year and then 2 cycles the next year. The 2 cycle year is the worst pain for me. But as I get older they hurt more and come more frequent. I hope I am not going chronic but I think there is a 50/50 chance of this for me anyway.

[Whooligun]

As far as the RC seeds go, what I gather so far is that I first put 50 or so (to start) in a glass of water.Replace the floating seeds.Then, grind them up with lemon juice.Let them dry, finally ingest.

No no, grind them up, soak for an hour, and either filter the sludge out and drink the liquid or drink it all, sludge and all. Some soak there seeds for two hours or more. The shot of lemon juice supposedly extracts more of the LSA from the seeds into the water. Anyway it does help the taste a bit.

Isnt there a floating seeds trick I should do first to filter out the bad seeds? 

[Whooligun]

The problem I see with your cookies is this - 1. you don't know how much was put into one cookie 2. you don't know if one cookie has 1 gram or 2 grams in it so it is going to be hard to gauge the dose this way.

Yeah, I thought about that.  My wife has an important job that I wouldn't dare sacrifice by growing my own in the house, so Im going to have to find a reliable consistent source.

Thanks for the tips!

[CHfather]

Isnt there a floating seeds trick I should do first to filter out the bad seeds?

Yes, you can do that.  Then get rid of/replace the floaters.  Then pat dry all the seeds.  Then grind, then soak, then drink.  Don't grind with anything that gets too hot (e.g., coffee grinder).  I think the typically preferred method is more "crushing" than grinding -- with a mortar and pestle, for example -- but a hand-operated spice grinder is also fine.

There was a time when 50 was considered a high first dose.  I guess we've seen enough now to think that it's unlikely that you'll really "trip" at all from that number of seeds.  I think around 35 is still the recommended first dose (up from about 20-25 when I first got here 18 months ago), but if you're comfortable with 50, go for it.

Let us know how all this, and/or how the licorice root, D3, etc., goes.  Are you off the verap now?  If not, you might want to start with D3 rather than licorice root, and heed the verap procedure related to D3.

Also -- you have oxygen?

PF wishes!

[Whooligun]

No oxygen.  I've been to 3 neurologists and it was never suggested.  From what Im reading, I should be using it.  As I stated originally, the pain levels aren't nearly what they used to be, this cluster just won't go away though. 

I started verapimil and my headaches immediately got worse.  I also had major dizzy spells.  My doc put me on a lower dose, but the headaches started to get pretty severe.  As soon as I stopped taking it, the severity dropped bigtime.

[damiano]

The problem I see with your cookies is this - 1. you don't know how much was put into one cookie 2. you don't know if one cookie has 1 gram or 2 grams in it so it is going to be hard to gauge the dose this way.

Yeah, I thought about that.  My wife has an important job that I wouldn't dare sacrifice by growing my own in the house, so Im going to have to find a reliable consistent source.

Thanks for the tips!

Just being honest with you - I too have a high profile type of a job - if they only knew - but i would rather grow my own meds to be on the safe side, it takes very little room and isnt out on the open. no odors etc... its not like growing weed lol.... it would be rare to get caught growing them in my opinion unless you are advertising it to the world on craigslist or something lol.... but yes find a reliable  source. where are you located by the way. send that to me via pm....

[Stump BeefKnob]

The problem I see with your cookies is this - 1. you don't know how much was put into one cookie 2. you don't know if one cookie has 1 gram or 2 grams in it so it is going to be hard to gauge the dose this way.

Yeah, I thought about that.  My wife has an important job that I wouldn't dare sacrifice by growing my own in the house, so Im going to have to find a reliable consistent source.

Thanks for the tips!

It seems there are a surprising number of CH sufferers who have important, high profile, or professional jobs in the household. I struggled with the same dilemma, but have come to the realization that there is VERY little risk involved if you make the right decisions

[Guest]

http://www.clusterbusters.com/faqlsa.htm

You really should know this information well before dosing.

all the best

the bb

[FunGuy]

for the most current and up to date stuff on LSA can be found here:

http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cb/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1290128974

:-)

[Bonkers]

No oxygen.  I've been to 3 neurologists and it was never suggested.

Amazing! Absolutely amazing!

[Whooligun]

No oxygen.  I've been to 3 neurologists and it was never suggested.

Amazing! Absolutely amazing!

Asked my GP about it today and she laughed it off like it was a placebo.  No wonder why I'm here doing my own research.

[spiny]

FunGuy,

That thread says to start with 8-10 RC seeds, I think.

Seems like the current rate is 25-30 for starters and up from there if necessary.

Am I wrong?

[spiny]

Wooligun,

Make your own O2 set-up. Dr's are notoriously stupid.

Get a non-rebreather mask, a 25LPM regulator and an O2 tank from a local welding supply company.

I use it and it does the trick.

Course, my Neuro said O2 was too expensive and to keep taking expensive drugs he prescribed!!!!! >

spiny

who no longer trusts doc's

[FunGuy]

The recommended starting dose is low for a number of reasons, get accustomed to them, get past the taste and to find the lowest dose that will work for you.

It really depends on the quality of the seeds, their LSA content (and there is no way to know!).  Many here go up to 50 + on doses but I think most started lower.  The trade off with starting low is you may need to re-dose more to reach effectiveness and I know waiting is not good. 

(LOL, we as a group, clusterheads, must be one of the most impatient groups around.  But pain can do that to ya.)

The good news is if you take to many it's not going to be a wild trip.

Our philosophy has always been to start low an work your way up to reach the lowest effective dose.  What that will be for you, I don't know.  Hopefully it won't take you long to find out.

Read all you can and know what to expect when you treat. 

Good luck

[Dallas Denny]

Dude!! You need to tell your docs to ram their heads into a FECKING tree!!!

Spiny hit the nail on the head with the welding O2, although I'd recommend getting a welding ox regulator from harbor freight tools for about $50!!  You will never think of clusters in the same regard after you've aborted a visit from the beast with O2 my friend!!

Welcome to the community and good luck!!

Dallas Denny

[Purple]

The trade off with starting low is you may need to re-dose more to reach effectiveness and I know waiting is not good.

(LOL, we as a group, clusterheads, must be one of the most impatient groups around.But pain can do that to ya.)

It's very wise to start low I guess, but I'm not that wise when under the pressure of the beast.

started with 60 seeds. I didn't want to take a chance it would be too much of a low dose and have no effect. All I risked was having a trip... not much chance according to what I had read on trippers' Web sites.

I'm certain though the quality of the seeds is a variable, and so is the extraction method. My 4th bust with vodka, orange juice and peppermint tea (90 seeds) was quite different, seemed stronger in effects on my CH, but my CHs had already been busted 3 times, so it's hard to tell if it was really, and I could say I was starting to reach a tripping zone... barely.

Certainly each person is different, every seed also... wisdom... step by step... yeah, but, but... I think uhhhhmmmm...A bust is a bust!!!

          Slams door open with foot and shoots

My latest information is that 150 to 250 RC seeds is needed to have any trip. I will report on this sometime, but I would advise anyone to listen to wiser old timers of the board, not me newbie stuntman 

[Whooligun]

Tried one of the cookies last night.  Was told to just eat half.  Braced for the worst.  Showered, brushed teeth, brand me socks (old rituals from high school).

Ate half.  Waited.  Ate other half.  Waited.  Got tired, little headache, went to bed. 

Felt clear headed today though so far.  We'll see, but I need to get my hands on some real fungi.

Might be getting o2 today as well.

[FunGuy]

but I'm not that wise when under the pressure of the beast

I understand.  Been there, done that.  I imagine most everyone on this board has been there or has watched as their loved on is there.   It's so understandable.

Yet that is one of my greatest concerns for everyone and particularly the newbies that arrive here, their 'desperation' in the middle of a cycle when all hell is breaking lose around them and inside their head.   

I don't believe one should rush into this treatment or any treatment, be if for your clusters or for anything,  Consider these busting methods and all the other treatments like you would any "medication", use it wisely and carefully. 

Acting out of desperation is not wise and if success is not achieved quickly the person may become more desperate.   Not good.  But often its the only choice.

Yep, it's hard to plan thoughtfully while your head is exploding.

We know.  BTDT.

I remember 2 quotes from others here, I have to find them and add them somewhere in the welcome message.  The first was about treating these substances with respect and then they will respect you.  The other was about how this treatment is a lot more than just taking a handful of mushrooms.

Sage advise from wise people.

Please note, I'm not saying anyone is wrong with their opinions, from this thread or any other thread.  It's all good and that's why we have this board.  

Treat for the right reason, with the right intention, the right set & setting and the right attitude.   

Treating for the wrong reasons at the wrong time is sad and potentially dangerous.

Cluster are dangerous too.  BTDT

We all just want relief.

Best

FG

[Whooligun]

Was headache free until I was lying in the dark on the acupuncture table covered in needles.  Felt a quickie stop for a visit then go...pretty weak and pretty short.  I wonder if the acupuncture isn't helping.  I'm not a believer, but a relative runs the clinic and I didn't have the heart to tell him I thought it was BS.

[Purple]

I don't believe one should rush into this treatment or any treatment, be if for your clusters or for anything,Consider these busting methods and all the other treatments like you would any "medication", use it wisely and carefully.

True. Besides, using wisdom will probably help Clusterbusters gaining credibility as a research group. Did I understand well CB is a research group? Am I a researcher? LOL ahem, serious now  [smiley=engel017.gif]

Was headache free until I was lying in the dark on the acupuncture table covered in needles.  Felt a quickie stop for a visit then go...pretty weak and pretty short.  I wonder if the acupuncture isn't helping.  I'm not a believer, but a relative runs the clinic and I didn't have the heart to tell him I thought it was BS.

Oh I'm absolutely certain acupuncture works, my mother has been using it for 30 years successfully for many health problems, and she takes good care reminding her doctors and specialists she has cut down her med and seen her acupuncturist. After so many years, they're starting to admit to her the needles maybe are helping... Hell yes they are, would it be only placebo, it obviously works.

But I was seeing an acupuncturist for other things some years ago myself... she said she new CH as I came in with shadow 3 for regular session. She swore she could... Naaaaw, she couldn't. Not at all. At least 2 sessions if not 3. CH is special... and she's the one who had strongly suggested I stop using ice, as chinese medecine she said had found out 2000 years ago any radical cold treatment being very bad.  No ice? are you out of your mind? It's a totally different protocol system, but Chinese medecine is as stiff as ours it seems.  

[alleyoop]

Did I understand well CB is a research group? Am I a researcher?

Yes, and Hell yes!

It's a totally different protocol system, but Chinese medecine is as stiff as ours it seems.   

Thou art wise beyond thy years grasshopper.

[Whooligun]

Great day today!  Headache free after a couple big ones yesterday. 

Cookies Friday.

Acupuncture and bartending with a loud band playing Saturday probably didnt help my head Saturday.

Sunday....so far so good!  Havent felt this clear in a while.  Its also an unusually mild day, and I find the weather changes just kill me.  So who knows what it is, but right now, I dont care.