Snowdrop addiction

[Stephenb]

Galanthophiles are people addicted to snowdrops. Correct?

Galantamine, the drug extracted from Galanthus woronowii (and other species) is used it seems to treat memory loss and the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease (based on local ethnobotanical knowledge in this species' range).

It seems also that some people who practice lucid dream (LD) or out-of-body experience (OBE) use galantamine to increase their odds to achieve LD or OBE (Wikipedia)

Hypothesis: The out-of-body type experiences reported on the Galanthus area of the forum are due to ingestion of Galantamine through long-term over-handling of snowdrops. This leads to LD and OBE and subsequently Galanthophiles become addicted to snowdrops through the search for steadily stronger and stronger lucid dreams and out-of-body experiences. A vicious circle leading to the observed OBEs which appears so strange to many of us outsiders.... There is I think also evidence that memory is also enhanced.

Discuss  

Serious question: Galanthus woronowii - is this species available and easy to grow? Anyone like to help this potential convert on his way to Galanthophilia?

[KentGardener]

So its the snowdrops fault - nothing to do with my addictive personality or being a Pisces. 

[Sinchets]

I don't think it just has to be G.woronowii, Steven. G.nivalis and G.elwesii are both collected and used in folk remedies here in Bulgaria for memory loss.

[vivienr]

Stephen, I think the pharmaceutical industry is now getting its galanthamine from Narcissus as it is much more cost effective- that's no excuse for not growing snowdrops though. I bought some Woronowii from a garden centre several years ago but have not seen many since. Last year there were losts of Elwesii about but this year the garden centres haven't got anything in yet.

Bit of info about Galanthamine sources -

www.springerlink.com/content/w135161671830610/

[Stephenb]

Thanks for the comments all! Yes, it seems there are many bulbs containing Galanthamine, but woronowii was the first in which it was found. And thanks to KG I will soon be the proud owner of Voronov's Snowdrop, something that wasn't in my remotest imagination when I got up this morning! And yet another interesting story to add to the garden...

[TheOnionMan]

It seems also that some people who practice lucid dream (LD) or out-of-body experience (OBE) use galantamine to increase their odds to achieve LD or OBE (Wikipedia)

Hypothesis: The out-of-body type experiences reported on the Galanthus area of the forum are due to ingestion of Galantamine through long-term over-handling of snowdrops. This leads to LD and OBE and subsequently Galanthophiles become addicted to snowdrops through the search for steadily stronger and stronger lucid dreams and out-of-body experiences.
Serious question: Galanthus woronowii - is this species available and easy to grow? Anyone like to help this potential convert on his way to Galanthophilia?

My new Starry-Eyed Galathospecs seem to be rather strong; already had 3 out-of-body experiences today!
I'm feeling a bit queasy.   

[johnw]

Galanthus 'McMark mit grünen Haaren' ?

johnw

[Stephenb]

I don't believe it - I haven't even received the Galanthus yet and I'm seeing wondrous things....

[annew]

I would send some G. woronowii but I've forgotten where I put them...

[Stephenb]

 

[Maggi Young]

I would send some G. woronowii but I've forgotten where I put them...

Have a look to see if they're under the Ginko biloba, Anne.......

[annew]

Yes, I actually have one of those somewhere.

[Maggi Young]

Yes, I actually have one of those somewhere.

I thought as much... go out, wander around for a bit, you'll bump into something, it'll be like a tree.... look under it! 

[TheOnionMan]

Now I'm starting to experience galanthotropic hallucinations... I may need help soon.   

[Diane Clement]

Now I'm starting to experience galanthotropic hallucinations... I may need help soon.   

how much do you think it will fetch on Ebay?