www.lesswrong.com/posts/NYPmCBfrDfXfhwBog/a-rationalist-s-guide-to-psychoactive-...
3 corrections found
the U.S. has the Analogues Act, which automatically makes illegal any chemical broadly similar to any other illegal chemical
The Federal Analogue Act is narrower than this. It applies only to certain substances substantially similar to Schedule I or II drugs and, under 21 U.S.C. § 813, only to the extent they are intended for human consumption.
Full reasoning
This sentence overstates both the scope and the automaticity of the Federal Analogue Act.
Under 21 U.S.C. § 802(32)(A), a "controlled substance analogue" is not just any chemical "broadly similar" to any illegal chemical. The statute defines it much more narrowly: it must be substantially similar to the chemical structure of a Schedule I or II controlled substance, and it must also have (or be represented/intended to have) substantially similar stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogenic effects on the central nervous system.
Then 21 U.S.C. § 813 says such an analogue is treated as a Schedule I substance only to the extent intended for human consumption. The law also excludes some categories, such as approved drugs.
So the post's phrasing is inaccurate in two ways:
- It says "any other illegal chemical", but the statute is tied specifically to Schedule I or II controlled substances.
- It says the law "automatically makes illegal" any broadly similar chemical, but the statute turns on the legal definition of an analogue and the substance's intended human consumption, rather than banning every vaguely similar molecule by default.
2 sources
- 21 U.S. Code § 802 - Definitions
The term "controlled substance analogue" means a substance ... the chemical structure of which is substantially similar to the chemical structure of a controlled substance in schedule I or II ... and which has or is represented/intended to have substantially similar effects.
- 21 U.S. Code § 813 - Treatment of controlled substance analogues
A controlled substance analogue shall, to the extent intended for human consumption, be treated, for the purposes of any Federal law as a controlled substance in schedule I.
chocolate also contains a number of other psychoactive alkaloids, including phenylalanine and theobromine
Phenylalanine is not an alkaloid. It is an amino acid; theobromine is an alkaloid, and chocolate also contains compounds such as caffeine and phenethylamine.
Full reasoning
This sentence misclassifies phenylalanine.
Phenylalanine is an amino acid, not an alkaloid. MedlinePlus describes phenylalanine as an essential amino acid. By contrast, the National Institute of General Medical Sciences describes theobromine as an alkaloid found in chocolate, alongside caffeine. The same NIGMS overview also discusses phenethylamine as another compound present in chocolate.
So while theobromine is correctly named as an alkaloid, grouping phenylalanine with "psychoactive alkaloids" is chemically incorrect.
2 sources
- Phenylketonuria: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
Babies with PKU are missing an enzyme called phenylalanine hydroxylase. It is needed to break down the essential amino acid phenylalanine.
- The Chemistry of Chocolate | National Institute of General Medical Sciences
Theobromine is an alkaloid ... Chocolate is the richest natural source of theobromine ... Chocolate does have significant amounts of a compound called phenethylamine.
foods containing tyrosine and other potentially dangerous monoamines (e.g. chocolate, cheese, wine)
For MAOI interactions, the relevant dietary chemical is tyramine, not tyrosine. Cheese, wine, and similar foods are restricted because aging or fermentation can produce tyramine from tyrosine.
Full reasoning
This sentence names the wrong dietary compound.
With MAO inhibitors, the classic food interaction is with tyramine, not tyrosine. Mayo Clinic's MAOI guidance specifically warns about high-tyramine foods and explains that tyramine can rapidly rise to dangerous levels when MAO is inhibited. StatPearls likewise explains that microbes can convert the amino acid tyrosine into tyramine in aged, fermented, cured, or spoiled foods, and lists foods such as wine and cheese among the relevant tyramine-containing examples.
So the examples in the post are associated with MAOI precautions because of tyramine formation/content, not because the foods merely contain tyrosine.
2 sources
- MAOIs and diet: Is it necessary to restrict tyramine? - Mayo Clinic
If you're taking an MAOI, don't eat or drink foods and beverages that are high in tyramine ... For some people, taking an MAOI and eating high-tyramine foods can cause tyramine to quickly reach high levels in the body.
- Biochemistry, Tyramine - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf
Tyramine is often found in fermented, aged, cured, and spoiled foods where microbes with decarboxylase enzymes convert the amino acid tyrosine into tyramine ... patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors [should] avoid fermented or cured foods high in tyramine.