3 ms·
Makes me wonder why they would choose such an obscure substance
by pantalaimon 5y ago
Makes me wonder why they would choose such an obscure substance
- Scoundreller 5y agoAvailability is usually the answer. Lots of overland routes available where it’s popular/legal/cheap within the Middle East. Though the APIs probably originate from China so you’d think more “western” choices would be made. Presumably the party culture had been adopted from EU/USA.
- Leparamour 5y ago> Though the APIs probably originate from China What does API stand for in this context?
- philipkglass 5y agoIt stands for active pharmaceutical ingredient. Meaning the actual drug in a complete pill. Many pills are mostly non-active ingredients because a pill containing e.g. 10 mg of API would be inconveniently tiny if the pill itself was only 10 mg.
- peanut_worm 5y agoAmphetamine tablets are extremely popular in Asia
- Scoundreller 5y agoAmphetamine sure, but captagon is a more complicated molecule without any real extra benefit. Théophyllines are meh unless you’re nearly dying of lung disease. However, Wikipedia reports: “ Many of these counterfeit "Captagon" tablets actually contain other amphetamine derivatives that are easier to produce, but are pressed and stamped to look like Captagon pills.” which makes a lot more sense if the chemistry is being done in Syria.
- 55555 5y agoYes but Captagon is not. How did it become so popular in the middle east and north africa?
- Leparamour 5y ago>Yes but Captagon is not. How did it become so popular in the middle east and north africa? I remember reports about it being popular with IS and Al Qaeda fighters as a combat drug: reduced anxiety, increased stamina and the forming addiction can be used as a tool to keep the fighters in line.
- peanut_worm 5y agoI am going to guess and say they are probably pressed amphetamine made to look like Captagon
- tomc1985 5y agoObscure? Isn't this the drug that ISIL feeds its "soldiers"?