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Midori · 10-01-2013

(This is a fictitious research paper I wrote.)

The Metabolic and Social Effects of Gralat Addiction
M. Kobayashi 2013 Mol. Sci., 5(245):1-5

Introduction

Gralats are crystalline objects that are used as everyday currency in the country of Graalia. While this may appear to be their primary use, gralats are also a highly-addictive substance open to recreational abuse.

Synthesis

The value of a gralat is determined by its colour. The most common and lowest value of gralat is the green gralat. Green gralats are a naturally-occurring crystal exclusively synthesised by the shrub Ephedra graalis, a plant native to Graalia, and are harvested from them on a daily basis. The crystal contains an impure form of G-amphetamine, whose structure consists of an amphetamine group and an unknown functional group labelled "G". The amphetamine group is pharmacologically active, with two enantiomers: levorotary and dextrorotary, with the latter isomer being the stronger psychostimulant. As the crystals are synthesised organically, only the dextrorotary form is present, hence preventing the formation of a racemic mixture. The G group, while less active than the amphetamine group, is known for containing transition metals whose properties will be discussed below.

While the green gralat is highly-impure and does not cause a strong metabolic effect when administered, it can be refined to purify its G-amphetamine content and increase its pharmacological activity. The most common method is by "cooking"; heat is applied in short bursts from various sources and sulphur (often from bombs) acts as a catalyst for reaction. G-amphetamine is oxidatively volatile and as it undergoes purification, the transition metal elements in the G-group change oxidative states, causing the cystals to change in colour. Hence the colour of a crystal can be used as an indicator for its purity, with black gralats being the purest and highest in value.

Pharmacology

As with any types of amphetamines, G-amphetamine has a range effects upon the user. At low doses, abusers often experience euphoria, nausea, and a craving for more gralats. However the condition rapidly progresses to severe psychological impacts such as grandiosity, irritability, aggression, increased libido, paranoia, mania, and repetitive and obsessive behaviours. Indeed, these can often be observed in areas such as "Burger Refuge", a location notorious as a gathering place for abusers.

Social Impacts

In addition to harmful effects inflicted upon the individual, the recreational abuse of gralats has extended to society as a whole.

As gralats are obtained from the E. graalis plant, populations of the species have been decimated as suppliers cause vandalism and destruction to any of these shrubs occurring naturally. Large areas of land have also been cleared and used for "farms" where gralats are harvested at an industrial scale. These farms are fiercely guarded and often lead to secondary crimes such as violence, assault, and murder of trespassers as well as theft. Exploitation of workers have also been on the rise as unsuspecting migrants are gathered and forced to work on a "farm" with a false reward for producing the most amounts of the substance.

Manic behaviours have been observed in addicts, ranging from prostitution in exchange for gralats to violence and murder of other addicts in a desperate attempt to obtain the most amount of gralats. It would appear that addicts would use any means necessary, no matter how immoral, to receive their fix.

Prior to the discovery of G-amphetamine, Graalia was economically stable. However with the rise of gralats as bartering currency, the economy has declined to the point where banks have shut down due to lack of interest in actual currency.

Conclusion

With a host of dangers at both the individual and social level, G-amphetamine in the form of gralats not only have caused damage to the people of Graalia, but also hold the potential to cause further degeneration of the world as a whole. Action must be taken to control such a substance and mitigate or fully prevent its harmful effects.

10-01-2013	1
Midori No. Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 194	Gralat Addiction: A Research Paper (This is a fictitious research paper I wrote.) The Metabolic and Social Effects of Gralat Addiction M. Kobayashi 2013 Mol. Sci., 5(245):1-5 Introduction Gralats are crystalline objects that are used as everyday currency in the country of Graalia. While this may appear to be their primary use, gralats are also a highly-addictive substance open to recreational abuse. Synthesis The value of a gralat is determined by its colour. The most common and lowest value of gralat is the green gralat. Green gralats are a naturally-occurring crystal exclusively synthesised by the shrub Ephedra graalis, a plant native to Graalia, and are harvested from them on a daily basis. The crystal contains an impure form of G-amphetamine, whose structure consists of an amphetamine group and an unknown functional group labelled "G". The amphetamine group is pharmacologically active, with two enantiomers: levorotary and dextrorotary, with the latter isomer being the stronger psychostimulant. As the crystals are synthesised organically, only the dextrorotary form is present, hence preventing the formation of a racemic mixture. The G group, while less active than the amphetamine group, is known for containing transition metals whose properties will be discussed below. While the green gralat is highly-impure and does not cause a strong metabolic effect when administered, it can be refined to purify its G-amphetamine content and increase its pharmacological activity. The most common method is by "cooking"; heat is applied in short bursts from various sources and sulphur (often from bombs) acts as a catalyst for reaction. G-amphetamine is oxidatively volatile and as it undergoes purification, the transition metal elements in the G-group change oxidative states, causing the cystals to change in colour. Hence the colour of a crystal can be used as an indicator for its purity, with black gralats being the purest and highest in value. Pharmacology As with any types of amphetamines, G-amphetamine has a range effects upon the user. At low doses, abusers often experience euphoria, nausea, and a craving for more gralats. However the condition rapidly progresses to severe psychological impacts such as grandiosity, irritability, aggression, increased libido, paranoia, mania, and repetitive and obsessive behaviours. Indeed, these can often be observed in areas such as "Burger Refuge", a location notorious as a gathering place for abusers. Social Impacts In addition to harmful effects inflicted upon the individual, the recreational abuse of gralats has extended to society as a whole. As gralats are obtained from the E. graalis plant, populations of the species have been decimated as suppliers cause vandalism and destruction to any of these shrubs occurring naturally. Large areas of land have also been cleared and used for "farms" where gralats are harvested at an industrial scale. These farms are fiercely guarded and often lead to secondary crimes such as violence, assault, and murder of trespassers as well as theft. Exploitation of workers have also been on the rise as unsuspecting migrants are gathered and forced to work on a "farm" with a false reward for producing the most amounts of the substance. Manic behaviours have been observed in addicts, ranging from prostitution in exchange for gralats to violence and murder of other addicts in a desperate attempt to obtain the most amount of gralats. It would appear that addicts would use any means necessary, no matter how immoral, to receive their fix. Prior to the discovery of G-amphetamine, Graalia was economically stable. However with the rise of gralats as bartering currency, the economy has declined to the point where banks have shut down due to lack of interest in actual currency. Conclusion With a host of dangers at both the individual and social level, G-amphetamine in the form of gralats not only have caused damage to the people of Graalia, but also hold the potential to cause further degeneration of the world as a whole. Action must be taken to control such a substance and mitigate or fully prevent its harmful effects.