# Synthesizing methamphetamine in a soda bottle? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 26, 2011, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/synthesizing-methamphetamine-in-a-soda-bottle/607413 "2011-12-26T12:07:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2011, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/synthesizing-methamphetamine-in-a-soda-bottle/607413/1 "2011-12-26T12:07:06Z")
I have seen this claim pop up in the media, that there is a “new” method of synthesizing methamphetamine that requires only a soda bottle and the reagents, you don’t even need to extract the pseudoephedrine from pills just throw them in shake with reagents and consume! I have basic chemistry knowledge and know the basic outline for how to synthesize methamphetamine, I can’t understand how it could be possible in a single container since acid/base extractions are involved. Even if it was somehow possible how on earth could you safely consume something with the reagents still present without extraction? Yet people will swear it works man! :dubious: I’m thinking this is some kind of media myth, OR law enforcement disinfo used as probable cause for a search(who doesn’t have a soda bottle in their car?!?). No news article ever goes into the facts, even when readers express extreme skepticism in the comments. [http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/jan/29/meth-makers-use-shake-and-bake-with-pop-bottles/](http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/jan/29/meth-makers-use-shake-and-bake-with-pop-bottles/) [http://somechicksblog.com/make-meth/shake-and-bake-or-one-pot-meth-making](http://somechicksblog.com/make-meth/shake-and-bake-or-one-pot-meth-making) ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2011, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/synthesizing-methamphetamine-in-a-soda-bottle/607413/2 "2011-12-26T13:07:57Z")
> [@grude](#): > > I have seen this claim pop up in the media, that there is a “new” method of synthesizing methamphetamine that requires only a soda bottle and the reagents, you don’t even need to extract the pseudoephedrine from pills just throw them in shake with reagents and consume! Maybe they are getting the wires crossed with Desomorphine (Krokodile). > **[Desomorphine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desomorphine)** > > Desomorphine\[note 1\] (or in some formulations known as Krokodil) is a semi-synthetic opioid commercialized by Roche, with powerful, fast-acting effects, such as sedation and analgesia. It was first discovered and patented in Germany by a German team working for Knoll in 1920 but was not generally recognized. It was later synthesized in 1932 by American chemist Lyndon Frederick Small. Small also successfully patented it in 1934 in the United States. Desomorphine was used in Desomorphine is a mor... it sounds like that could be synthesized as you describe, from codeine pills and yes it’s highly toxic from leftover reagents but the type of people that use it don’t seem to care. ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/synthesizing-methamphetamine-in-a-soda-bottle/607413/3 "2011-12-27T12:08:54Z")
I don’t wanna give any directions, but an episode of A&E’s \*Intervention \* definitely showed some addicts doing this. Lithium-Ion cellphone batteries were also used in the bottles, for their chemical Lithium, not for any electrical use… ---
**Author:** ![Belowjob2.0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Belowjob2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belowjob2.0)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/synthesizing-methamphetamine-in-a-soda-bottle/607413/4 "2011-12-27T14:07:58Z")
[http://www.methlandbook.com/](http://www.methlandbook.com/) In this book, the writer talks about it being a common occurrence in the small town Midwest. People riding bicycles while shaking 2 liter soda bottles full of chemicals. [http://www.methlandbook.com/reactions/methland-the-story-behind-the-book-oelwein-daily-register/](http://www.methlandbook.com/reactions/methland-the-story-behind-the-book-oelwein-daily-register/) > [@](#): > > While Reding would argue about the meaning of the book, it would be hard for him to argue that it does not have some negative connotations in it, as well as the sensational, from Oelwein once being ran by the Mafia to kids riding up and down the street mixing up meth in liter pop bottles on the backs of their bikes. And those are just a couple of the mild things that Reding brings up. [http://www.lineofduty.com/the-blotter/107918-mo-cops-shake-n-bake-method-burning-thru-meth-land](http://www.lineofduty.com/the-blotter/107918-mo-cops-shake-n-bake-method-burning-thru-meth-land) Hype? No first hand knowledge on my part. But the chemistry is simple enough to where you ought to be able to do it in a pop bottle, especially if you don’t care about quality, impurities, or overall safety. Pseudephedrine is very close to meth aleady, so the steps to get there aren’t that complicated. ---
**Author:** ![Belowjob2.0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Belowjob2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belowjob2.0)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/synthesizing-methamphetamine-in-a-soda-bottle/607413/5 "2011-12-27T14:09:49Z")
> [@coremelt](#): > > Maybe they are getting the wires crossed with Desomorphine (Krokodile). > [Desomorphine - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desomorphine) > > it sounds like that could be synthesized as you describe, from codeine pills and yes it’s highly toxic from leftover reagents but the type of people that use it don’t seem to care. Krokodil is a whole nother thing. As far as I know, hasn’t made it to the States yet. Using the stuff is a whole level of degradation beyond using meth. (That shouldn’t even be possible, but it is. Krokodil is the worst of the worst.) ---
**Author:** ![Belowjob2.0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Belowjob2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belowjob2.0)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/synthesizing-methamphetamine-in-a-soda-bottle/607413/6 "2011-12-27T14:14:10Z")
[http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2010-05-19/news/methology-101-old-school-meth-labs-give-way-to-shake-and-bake/](http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2010-05-19/news/methology-101-old-school-meth-labs-give-way-to-shake-and-bake/) ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/synthesizing-methamphetamine-in-a-soda-bottle/607413/7 "2011-12-27T17:32:58Z")
[moderator note] A few people reported this thread, but I’m not going to close it. Just so everyone’s aware, discussing whether this is possible is just fine. Providing instructions on how to do it would NOT be fine. [/moderator note] Just in case anyone hasn’t seen the exact phrasing of the rules: > [@FAQ - Rules for Posting at the Straight Dope Message Boards](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faq-rules-for-posting-at-the-straight-dope-message-boards/369395/5): > > You are allowed discussion on almost any topic, but…Note that the [Registration Agreement](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=347160) prohibits: > > > [@](#): > > > > any material that you know or should know is … violative of U.S. law. You agree not to post material that in our opinion fosters or promotes activity that is illegal in the U.S. > > Specifically: > > **Drugs that are illegal in the US:** You may discuss the effects of drugs, but not where to obtain them. Limited discussion of past use of drugs is OK, but discussion of current use is not. Please include a disclaimer that the drug is illegal in the US. > > **Sex:** The medical approach is OK, the Penthouse approach is not. If you’re not sure, err on the side of caution and/or contact a staff member before you post. > > **Copyright violations** : Are NOT OK, under any circumstances. For copyright rules, see Post #3 in this thread… and see the Registration Agreement for “illegal acts.” We consider that discussions of P2P and file-sharing are pretty much discussions of how to evade copyright laws. The excuse “I just want to download public domain movies and Linux distributions” is lame. Very. > > Many of the services that used to operate illegally/without paying royalties are now in compliance and so discussion of these services would be allowed, they’re legitimate. But we do not want to see recommendations of companies and programs still remaining that operate in violation of copyright law. > > **How to get around the law** : Discussions about legal methods (avoidance) are acceptable; discussions about illegal methods (evasion) are not. Again, see the Registration Agreement. > > **Calls to Action** : Threads calling for folks to take actions (political, charitable, personal, etc) are prohibited unless there is prior approval from a moderator or administrator. Do not instigate members to take action for or against any issue or entity. Do not post phone numbers, email addresses or any other personally identifiable information of any entity in this regard. Exceptions for valid and noble causes may be made with the advance permission of a moderator or administrator.