Slim-k-d - Untitled

I encountered a drug called "Dextromethorphan" when looking up things that react with grapefruits for a fic. I found out it's been banned in Sweden since the 90s, so I couldn't use it for this specific story, but if you've got any interesting history I'd be happy so know!

Are you ready for this? Like. Ask yourself. Are you really ready for this?

In 1954, a researcher with the US Public Health Service received $282,215 (1954 dollars) from the US Navy, ostensibly to find a non-addictive alternative to an opiate drug called codeine (used for pain and and as a cough suppressant).

So the researcher found a bunch of people who had substance abuse disorder and tested 800 substances on them, trying to find ones that couldn't cause physical or psychological dependence, even on people who were prone to that sort of thing.

(Now, you might be asking if this experiment was ethical. The USPHS was concurrently doing the infamous Tuskegee Syphilis Study, so while I couldn't find any concrete answer, imma guess no.)

Out of these 800 tested substances, we use 3 today: propoxyphene (used as a painkiller), diphenoxylate (used as a diarrhea medication), and dextromethophan (a cough suppressant (and, as of 2022, part of a fast-acting antidepressant)).

Importantly, it was later noted that all of these are addictive substances and today most of them require a prescription. Though depending on where you are in the world, you might just have to be over 21 and show an ID.

You might think this sounds like a pretty standard story.

You would be wrong.

Because while the US Navy was the one handing the money to the USPHS, the US Navy had come by it via the Central Intelligence Agency.

Yes. The good ol' CIA.

So what stake did the CIA have in a non-addictive codeine replacement? Nothing, it turns out. That's just what they'd told the US Navy. What they really wanted was an incapacitant- a drug that causes incapacitation like unconsciousness or continuous hallucinations- without killing. Incapacitants are also useful for discrediting prominent political figures by making them look like they have severe mental health concerns, which was another reason the CIA wanted them.

This was part of a project called MKPILOT.

And wouldn't you like to know which of the three listed above they liked the most? Dextromethorphan. Because at high doses it causes severe- and incapacitating- hallucinations (this is also why it is banned in Sweden).

The problem with it is that it requires really, really high doses (about 3 grams, which would have to be packaged in some other substrate)- this would make it difficult to slip into a drink or food.

(It should be noted that around the same time, the US Army was doing research into a much more usable incapacitant called 3-Quinuclidinyl Benzilate which required as little as 150mg of the substance to be useful- it was featured in a MacGyver episode and I did a nice little review of it here. While I have no sources that say the CIA was directly involved in funding this, based on their extensive funding of similar DoD projects at the time, they probably did.)

But you wanted to know about how grapefruit interacts with dextromethorphan:

A substance in grapefruit (along with seville oranges, limes, pomelos, and possibly pomegranates) blocks the pathway by which many drugs are metabolized in the liver. This causes the levels of drug in the body to be much higher than expected. In the case of dextromethorphan in particular, it can mean that the drug stays in the body a lot longer- up to 24 hours instead of the usual 3-4 hours. It can also make side effects and toxic effects significantly worse, leading to hallucinations and sedation, even at low doses normally used for coughing.

Los Angeles weather is the weather of catastrophe, of apocalypse, and, just as the reliably long and bitter winters of New England determine the way life is lived there, so the violence and the unpredictability of the Santa Ana affect the entire quality of life in Los Angeles, accentuate its impermanence, its unreliability. The winds shows us how close to the edge we are.

Joan Didion, Slouching Towards Bethlehem

Your Rising Sign and how others perceive you ⋆·˚ ༘ *

The Rising Sign is very important in a chart, it defines your identity (the 1st house) and your shell. It shows how you react in new situations. I like to call it the “social mask” of a person because, let’s be honest, we all have one. We don’t just reveal our true selves immediately—okay, maybe some of us do, but I believe there’s an explanation for that in the chart as well.

Anyway, the Rising Sign represents how we present ourselves, how we approach new situations, how we are perceived, and how we act. Let’s dive in.

✧ Aries Rising

Others see them as someone who takes charge and isn’t afraid of new things. They’re likely the ones who share their opinions right away. They come across as energetic and, at times, a bit forceful. This Rising Sign often has quick, dynamic body language or gives the impression of always being on the move.

They are perceived as confident and direct, often making a strong first impression. Their energ unfiltered, giving them a sense of urgency and drive that others immediately notice. Aries Rising individuals come across as leaders, pioneers, and initiators, ready to take on anything. I must say that this Rising Sign is very rare!

✧ Taurus Rising

These people appear collected and grounded, radiating stability and reliability, which makes them easy to trust! They might come across as reserved or shy, not because they are, but because they prefer to observe before engaging.

Taurus Rising individuals open up slowly, but once they do, they are loyal and consistent. They move through life at a deliberate, steady pace, exuding poise, patience, and quiet confidence. Others see them as graceful and unshaken.

✧ Gemini Rising

These are the one‘s who are really interested in others and likes to show them that. These people come across as quick-witted, curious, and expressive, always picking up on everything around them. Their energy is restless and unpredictable, making them engaging but sometimes hard to pin down.

Gemini Rising individuals are seen as charming, adaptable, and full of ideas, effortlessly making connections. They bring a sense of lightness and spontaneity, but their attention can shift just as fast.

✧ Cancer Rising

These people come across as gentle, intuitive, and emotionally attuned, often making others feel safe and understood. Their energy is soft yet protective, and they have a natural way of reading the room before fully engaging.

Cancer Rising individuals are perceived as nurturing, sensitive, and deeply in tune with their surroundings. They may initially appear reserved or cautious, but once they feel comfortable, their warmth and care shine through. Others often see them as empathetic, nostalgic, and deeply connected to their emotions, with an aura that feels familiar and comforting, like home.

✧ Leo Rising

These people come across as self-assured, engaging, and full of vitality, there’s something about them that naturally draws attention. Their energy is dynamic and expressive, making them seem effortlessly at ease in social settings.

Leo Rising individuals are perceived as bold, captivating, and impossible to overlook. They carry themselves with a natural sense of authority, often leaving a strong impression without even trying. Their presence feels bright, animated, and full of enthusiasm, making them seem larger than life. Others may see them as playful, charming, and sometimes a bit theatrical, but always memorable.

✧ Virgo Rising

These people come across as composed, observant, and precise, often giving off an air of quiet intelligence. They tend to be attentive to details and have a naturally polished or put-together appearance, even if they don’t try too hard. Their energy is subtle yet sharp, making them easy to underestimate, but they notice everything.

Virgo Rising individuals are perceived as reliable, thoughtful, and pragmatic, with a way of carrying themselves that feels grounded and deliberate. They often appear reserved or analytical, as if they’re constantly assessing their surroundings. Others may see them as modest, efficient, and highly self-aware, with an understated confidence that speaks through their actions rather than words.

✧ Libra Rising

These people come across as graceful, approachable, and socially attuned, often making a strong first impression without seeming like they’re trying. Their energy is charming and balanced, with a natural ability to blend in while still standing out.

Libra Rising individuals are perceived as polite, diplomatic, and aesthetically conscious, always aware of how they present themselves. They have a way of making others feel at ease, often adapting to the energy of a room effortlessly. Others may see them as pleasant, refined, and effortlessly likable, with a knack for creating harmony wherever they go.

✧ Scorpio Rising

These people come across as intense, private, and deeply self-contained, giving off a vibe that’s hard to ignore. There’s something about them that feels magnetic yet unreachable, as if they keep part of themselves hidden at all times. Their energy is strong, focused, and impossible to read, which naturally makes others curious.

Scorpio Rising individuals are perceived as guarded, perceptive, and hard to fool. They don’t reveal much right away, but they pick up on everything. Their presence feels charged, like they see straight through the surface, making some people intrigued and others uneasy. Others may see them as serious, intense, or even intimidating, but those who get past their walls recognize their deep loyalty and emotional depth.

✧ Sagittarius Rising

These people come across as open, lively, and always up for something new. There’s a sense of freedom and excitement in the way they move, talk, and interact with the world. They often seem like they’re going somewhere, physically or mentally, always chasing the next idea, adventure, or experience.

Sagittarius Rising individuals are perceived as easygoing, optimistic, and naturally funny, with a way of making people feel like anything is possible. They don’t take themselves too seriously and bring a light, spontaneous energy into any room. Others may see them as restless, outspoken, or a little unpredictable, but there’s something refreshing about their ability to live in the moment and see the bigger picture.

✧ Capricorn Rising

These people come across as composed, self-assured, and somewhat serious, often giving the impression that they have everything under Kontrolle. There’s a natural authority in the way they carry themselves, making them seem mature and capable, no matter their actual age.

Capricorn Rising individuals are perceived as responsible, determined, and reserved, with a focus on efficiency and long-term goals. They don’t waste energy on unnecessary things and often seem like they’re always working toward something bigger. Others may see them as disciplined, grounded, or even a bit distant at first, but over time, their dry humor, loyalty, and quiet ambition become impossible to miss.

✧ Aquarius Rising

These people come across as independent, unconventional, and a little unpredictable—there’s something about them that feels different but intriguing. They often have a unique style, way of thinking, or presence that makes them stand out, even when they’re not trying.

Aquarius Rising individuals are perceived as open minded, intelligent, and effortlessly cool, with a natural ability to see things from a broader perspective. They can be friendly yet detached, making them easy to talk to but hard to truly know. Others may see them as quirky, forward-thinking, or a bit rebellious, but one thing’s for sure, they’re never boring.

✧ Pisces Rising

These people come across as dreamy, gentle, and hard to pin down, as if they exist in their own world. Their energy is soft, fluid, and intuitive, making them naturally easy to be around, but also a little elusive. They have a way of blending into different environments, often reflecting the energy around them rather than asserting themselves too strongly.

Pisces Rising individuals are perceived as empathetic, artistic, and deeply in tune with emotions, sometimes giving off an almost otherworldly or mystical vibe. They can seem a bit lost in thought, unpredictable, or difficult to read, but there’s something about them that feels familiar and comforting. Others may see them as imaginative, kind-hearted, and slightly detached from reality, yet full of depth if you take the time to truly see them.

Kate Chopin, from The Awakening

The New Republic

Three-Star General Issues Red Alert About Musk’s Foreign Entanglements

Retired Lieutenant General Russel Honoré says the SpaceX CEO could be compromised by his business dealings in China.

A three-star U.S. Army general thinks that Elon Musk’s foreign business relationships could make him a significant threat to national security.

Retired Lieutenant General Russel Honoré argued in a Sunday New York Times column that the SpaceX CEO’s willingness to capitulate to Chinese demands over the years should make his recent influence within Trump’s circle all the more questionable.

Honoré referenced 2023 quotes from Musk’s DOGE buddy Vivek Ramaswamy to make his case. “I have no reason to think Elon won’t jump like a circus monkey when Xi Jinping calls in the hour of need,” Ramaswamy said in an interview. “It’s deeply concerning that @elonmusk met with China’s foreign minister yesterday to oppose decoupling and referred to the U.S. & Communist China as ‘conjoined twins,’” he wrote in another statement that year. “The U.S. needs leaders who aren’t in China’s pocket.”

Ramaswamy has since made amends with Musk, but his concerns still apply. Musk and SpaceX have already been flagged thrice by the Air Force, the Defense Department’s Office of Inspector General, and the undersecretary of defense for intelligence and security for failing to disclose his meetings with foreign leaders, something his current security clearance requires him to do. And his China business isn’t going anywhere either.

Musk has borrowed at least $1.4 billion from Chinese government–controlled banks to pay for his massive Tesla “gigafactory” in Shanghai. He borrowed this money knowing full well that China’s laws allow the Chinese Communist Party to demand information from any company doing business in China in exchange for doing business there—a huge red flag for Honoré.

“Mr. Musk’s business dealings in China could require him to hand over sensitive classified information, learned either through his business interests or his proximity to President-elect Donald Trump. No federal agency has accused him of disclosing such material, but as Mr. Ramaswamy put it, China has recognized that U.S. companies are fickle,” Honoré wrote. “Mr. Musk’s relationship with China’s leaders could prove a problem for America’s national security given that SpaceX has a near monopoly on the United States’ rocket launches … the last thing the United States needs is for China to potentially have an easier way of obtaining classified intelligence and national security information.”

This has drawn the ire of Democrats and Republicans alike. In 2022, Senator Marco Rubio accused Tesla of obstructing justice for the CCP, and in 2023 he introduced a bill to stop NASA and other federal agencies from giving contracts to companies connected to the Chinese Communist Party. Two Democratic senators very recently called for a probe into Musk’s “reliability as a government contractor and a clearance holder” because of his reported phone call with Vladimir Putin.

The line between civilian and elected official has become blurrier as Musk further cements himself as part of Trump’s inner circle. As Honoré wrote, the world’s richest man funding Trump’s return to the presidency “does not give the incoming White House the license to look the other way at the national security risks he may pose.”

It's an open notes test and some dense motherfuckers still can't figure out the answers.

Tens of thousands of protesters mustered in cities and towns across the country on Saturday to sound off against the Trump administration's cuts to the federal government and its polices.

Carrying homemade posters and chanting "Hands Off," the protesters came out to the more than 1,200 rallies nationwide despite rain in many cities, according to organizers.

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), spoke at the Washington DC rally, "Their tariffs are not only imbecilic — they're illegal, they're unconstitutional, and we're going to turn this around."

Paul Osadebe, a lawyer for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, spoke during the rally in Washington, saying the oligarchs do not "value you, or your life, or your community. ...We're seeing that they don't care who they have to destroy or who they have to hurt to get what they want."

Multiple protests rallied in all 50 states — major themes included, 'Hands Off': our Bodily Autonomy, our Schools, our LGBTQ Rights, our Freedom of Speech, our Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare, our Wallets, our Jobs, our Civil Rights, our Clean Energy, our Democracy.

And, importantly, there were no reports of any major disturbances or arrests at any of the over 1,200 rallies.

This is the living embodiment of a government that is "of the People, by the People, and for the People."

Democracy is a beautiful thing.