• AugustWest@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        0
        ·
        7 days ago

        “Biker meth” is most if not all meth now. It uses phenyl-2-propanone as the starting point and produces a racemic mixture of dextromethamphetamine and levomethamphetamine.

        Traditional clandestine meth production using ephedrine produces pure dextromethamphetamine.

        d-methamphetamine is the euphoric feel good stuff. l-methamphetamine is the racing heart, more neurotoxic, nearly immediate psychosis stuff.

        TL;DR - “Biker meth” is most meth now. It’s much worse for you and less enjoyable.

        • MotoAsh@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          0
          ·
          6 days ago

          Fun fact: This is explained in Breaking Bad. … not the chemical breakdown (IIRC, so thanks for that!) but the difference in production.

          Wonder if it made any impact on the popularity or still just tighter controls on ephedrine.

          • AugustWest@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            0
            ·
            6 days ago

            Just tighter controls on ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. Any dumbass can make it in the bathroom easily with homemade lab equipment using ephedrine, so a lot of law and law enforcement crackdowns have centered on that.

            I haven’t seen the show in a long time and never finished it, but from what I remember, later in the show they ditch both methods and move on to methylamine. Going that route would also allow production of isolated d-methamphetamine.

        • TexasDrunk@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          0
          ·
          7 days ago

          But longer lasting so you’re getting more bang for your buck! Plus there’s all the neat organ damage.

      • Empricorn@feddit.nl
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        0
        ·
        7 days ago

        Based on my extensive knowledge of watching Breaking Bad, I’d say the answer is purity.