One thing that would actually resolve this rather than argue it: 5-S-cysteinyl-dopamine. It’s the downstream product of the GSH-conjugation branch of dopamine-o-quinone, it’s been measured in human plasma and CSF in PD research, and it is a direct readout of flux down the exact pathway we’re arguing about. Research assay, not clinical, so you’d need a collaborating lab. But it’s the one measurement that converts this from mechanism-arguing into data.
5-S-cysteinyldopa — the L-DOPA conjugate, not the dopamine one — is a real melanoma marker with validated automated plasma and urine assays (ScienceDirect) and clinical availability in Japan and historically Sweden. It is not a proxy for what you care about; it’s driven by melanocyte tyrosinase activity. Don’t let the name similarity tempt you.
Sample handling as a hard gate. Even with a willing lab, this isn’t a mail-in. The validated protocol requires immediate centrifugation and freezing after collection, near-total exclusion of light and oxygen during extraction, and constant sample cooling. (ScienceDirect) Catechol conjugates oxidize on the bench. You’d need a phlebotomy draw next to a centrifuge and dry ice, with the lab shipping you a kit. That’s a collaboration, not a purchase.
Trying Vyvanse again today, a very tiny dose, this makes me feel well already. Will report later how it feels.
Trying what?
What is the significance of this?
Cathionines have lower VMAT2 activity than AMPH so I suspect they are less neurotoxic
But not all of them
3-MMC, 4-MMC are what some rly like…