Phat Bull in NO way: promote, condone, advertise or encourage the use or abuse of illicit substances. Phat Bull acknowledge that the use of illicit substances is widespread in the dance scene and society as a whole and believe that information designed to reduce the harm caused by these substances should be made available. Phat Bull does not judge people who use drugs but believe that those that do have the right to access informative up-to-date health and harm reduction information in order to make informed decisions.

Black Poppy's Users Guide: By Drug Users for Drug Users

20 Things to Remember when mixing your drugs to help keep yourself and your mates safer this festival

These harm reduction tips have been researched and compiled by drug users for drug users. We have taken into account the drugs most likely to be used, (magic mushrooms, ecstasy, ketamine, GHB, poppers, speed, cocaine, 2C-B, 2C-I) and provided twenty bang up-to-date things to remember when embarking on your 3 day festival. Read on - and help keep yourself and your mates safer this festival.

More information and advice will be available on Black Poppy's website.

1) Magic Mushrooms: Start slow -the strength of mushrooms can vary enormously depending on their growing conditions. The head of the mushroom is more potent than the stem. Start with one or two, wait 40mins and see how you feel.

2) If you're having a bad trip or want to 'come down', a few notches eat or drink something with lots of sugar in it - orange juice or Lucozade works well.

3) Don't eat any dried or grounded mushrooms unless you know the source. Avoid trips (including 2c-b,2c-7, 2c-1) if you've been under heavy emotional strain. If you feel sick, drink lots of water. A mushroom trip will last 3-6 hours - If it's your first trip, don't mix mushrooms with other drugs, you won't need too.
Note: smoking dope can intensify your experience - you've been warned!

4) Ketamine: Take K in 'bumps' or very small lines, you WON'T need as much as you would use with other powders.

5) Your movements will be impaired on Ketamine, in fact you may not be able to move at all, so protect yourself from unwanted sexual attention or robbery by surrounding yourself with good friends and don't take K with strangers. Moving or dancing could lead to problems - you may not feel any injuries till later, so it's better to stay put.

6) Ketamine and alcohol combined sometimes leads to aggressive behaviour, so pace yourself.

7) Ecstasy: If you take E's and dance, sip a pint of water (no more) every hour and have regular rests from dancing.

8) If you are; getting cramps in your arms, legs or back, feeling dizzy, nauseous, or faint, have stopped sweating, are finding it difficult to piss or are peeing highly coloured piss - then you may be overheating. Stop dancing, get a drink of water, get some salt and/or some sugar into your body (crisps, sweets, isotonic drinks) and get somewhere cool. Chillout till you feel better.

9) You don't need to take 4 or 5 pills for a good night. Research states that taking ½ to 1 pill and then, if you must top up, waiting 1 ½ hours before taking ½ that dose again will serve to maintain your high and not lead to the big peaks and troughs that can lead to the need to take another pill. Space your use out - the effect will be better and it will be less problematic and taxing for you, especially the day after.

10) 2C-B, 2C-I, 2C-7; with both stimulant and hallucinogenic properties, these drugs are extremely 'dose sensitive'. Over a certain dosage, every 2 milligrams taken can create a profound increase or change in response. i.e the difference between taking one pill/capsule to taking 1 ½ or two - is huge.. Go slowly - or you could embark on something you're not quite ready for. This can last 4-8 hours and, unlike many other drugs, each time you take them can be a completely different experience from the time before.

11) Taking ecstasy increases the effect of these drugs so be warned! If you must mix your drugs, it's been recommended that you take 2c-b, (or 2c-1, 2c-7) at the end of your E experience and not in the middle..

12) Usually coming in capsules or pills (the capsules are usually stronger) if yours comes in powder - DON'T snort it. It is unbelievably painful to do so.

13) Stimulants: Never share straws or other snorting equipment - always use your own as hepatitis A, B or C could be transmitted this way.

14) Cocaine dehydrates the body and if you're drinking alcohol as well, a dehydrated body will absorb alcohol even more rapidly and further drinking can lead to alcohol poisoning. If you do drink, always substitute every 2nd glass with a drink of water. You'll feel much better the next day. Coke and alcohol combined produce a substance in the bloodstream called cocaethylene which is much harder on your liver than either drug alone.

15) GHB/Poppers: GHB is odourless, usually comes as a slightly salty tasting liquid and, while low doses can have a feel good, relaxing effect, higher doses will have a sedative effect. Again, it's important not to take it with strangers, and avoid alcohol - as it's often the combination that has been responsible for serious problems like date rape or even coma/death. Take it easy, stay with friends. Poppers: Careful with poppers, especially when mixing with other stimulants. Poppers can hugely intensify the experience when taken on top of other drugs, which doesn't always go down well, especially with trips or Ketamine. Always check poppers expiry date as old amyl can make you pretty sick. NOTE: GHB can sometimes be stashed in popper bottles - don't drink anything you aren't sure of the origins of and again, take your drugs with close and trusted friends.

16) Look out for each other. Keep an eye on what your friend is taking and if you know they can go a bit wild when it comes to parties and taking drugs, try to explain to them that you don't want to have to look after them all night and that you all have a responsibility to keep each other safe.

17) Always keep an eye on your drinks - if possible keep a lid on any bottles and hang onto your drink.

18) Chew gum to keep any jaw grinding from doing damage to your teeth when on stimulants or ecstasy.

19) Remember to pace yourself - 3 days of partying will be much more fun if you rest well and get sleep. Make use of the chillout tent, take a break, eat something and drink water regularly - you'll be better off in the days that follow for it too..

20) Experienced drug workers will be available at the Drugs Information Tent to provide you with information and advice, no matter what you've taken. Come and see us if you become anxious, worried about something you've taken or think a friend might be in trouble. You can speak in the strictest confidence and get first hand information from volunteers and from the drug user collective, Black Poppy.

Take care, and have fun!

A chillout tent is available where you can get confidential drugs advice & information or just relax, get a massage and recharge your batteries