Using Sodium Nitrite for a Peaceful and Reliable Death.
Sodium nitrite salt is very soluble in water. To prepare a lethal dose of the salt, 25 gm is dissolved into 50 – 100 ml of water.
The taste is salty and unremarkable. Potentiation of the drug can be achieved by mixing in 400mg of propranolol before drinking. Fasting for several hours prior to taking the nitrite (and propranolol) is suggested to further improve rapid absorption of the nitrite.
Note: Vomiting can be a problem with nitrite taken as a dink, and an anti-emetic is considered essential. The recommendation is a single (stat) dose of metoclopramide 30mg (3x10mg tables) and ondansetron 8mg (1 x 8mg tablet) taken 40 minutes before the nitrite drink.
It is wise to have a second prepared drink that can be taken should vomiting occur. If vomiting does occur, with no supplementary drink available the procedure should be aborted.
Note: An alternative to ondansetron is haloperidol 2mg tablet.
Note: Potentiation using Nexium (80mg) and propranolo (400mg) can be taken at the same time as the antiemetic.
Exit has a number of reports of successful use of nitrite. The following is a typical timeline and was reported from an observed death using 25gm of potentiated sodium nitrite.
- a 3 mins dizzy
@ 5 mins very drowsy, responsive (@ 12 mins unconscious
@ 15 min deep sleep/ un-rousable (a 25 mins increasing cyanosis, - Co. 30 mins irregular shallow breathing
- (a40 mins death
Scaled 200 gm container of sodium nitrite
Potentiating Sodium Nitrite
There are several ways of increasing the effectiveness of the sodium nitrite drink. Of these, use of a B blocker is considered most effective.
A reliable death is dependent on the nitrite overwhelming the restorative enzyme methemoglobin reductase. To achieve this. rapid gut absorption of the salt on ingestion is needed. This can be facilitated by fasting for several hours before taking nitrite. and by reducing the amount of gastric acid in the stomach.
The simplest way this can be achieved is by the use of a simple antacid such as Mylanta, but there is also some concern that the coating of the gastric surface may impede absorption.
A better method is to use a pre-dose of the H2 antagonist cimetidine to increase absorption of the nitrite (eg. Tagamet, 800mg, taken 40 minutes before the nitrite). This can be taken at the same time as the suggested anti-emetic ( Metoclopramide with Odansetron)
Cimetidine, marketed as Tagamet, is used for heartburn and indigestion. Although an unregulated over the counter drug, recent (2020) concern over the presence of a contaminant NDMA as a possible human carcinogen has let to it’s restriction and/or removal in many countries.
An alternative is to use a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) to reduce gastric acid secretion. These widely used drugs (eg Nexium or Priloscc) are again often available over the counter. 80mg taken at the time of the antiemetic will provide the desired enhancement
The lethality of nitrite can further be enhanced by the concurrent use of a B-blocker like propranolol. 400mg (5 x 80mg tablets) mixed with the dissolved nitrite and taken in the same drink.
The propranolol is then quickly absorbed and interferes with the compensatory cardiac response to the effects of the methemoglobin produced by the nitrite. As the brain received insufficient oxygen a message is sent to the heart to increase blood flow. However, with propranolol present, the message is blocked and with no increase in blood-flow to the brain, consciousness is quickly lost.
The accompanying video shows how to create the nitrite/ propranolol mixture.
Note: Some reports mistakenly claim that acid reduction 1s counterproductive as it reduces [NO] release, hypotension and headache, and that B blockers provide only symptom relief and are an unnecessary “luxury item”!
Note: Propranolol is usually prescription regulated, but it can readily be bought on-line. Slow release forms of the drug are unsuitable.
Note: Earlier editions of the PPeH (and the included film) suggested using 2gm of propranolol. This was altered to 400mg in Feb 2021.
Sources of Sodium Nitrite
Sodium nitrite is widely-used for food-curing and food-preserving but it is increasingly subject to restrictions. It has been available variously online from Amazon, eBay and Alibaba, often from eastem European suppliers (eg. Poland or Ukraine). No exact sources are provided here because it is impossible at the current time to keep the listings up-to-date.
This is because the sources that were listed have since stopped selling. It seems publication in this book leads to online retailers ceasing its sale (presumably due to pressure from the authorities). A more useful idea is to check the Peaceful Pill Forums for the most recent information. Once located, the cost can be as little as US$15/ Kgm.
Note: In 2019, the Dutch government introduced regulations for the sale of nitrite to individuals. In other countries, purchasers of Sodium Nitrite have received welfare checks’ from their local police.
Note: If problems arise when ordering to a specific country where there may be new government regulations restricting the purchase of nitrite, the use of a proxy address set up to receive then send on may be a useful workaround strategy.
Testing of Sodium Nitrite
It is generally unnecessary to test the purity of purchased nitrite (ie. > 99% nitrite). The salt is cheap and there is no legal restriction driving up cost and prompting scammers.
Nevertheless there is a test,and a video of the process is included.
You will need for testing:
- 5gm of sodium nitrite
- Digital scales
- 2ml disposable pipette.
- 2 x one litre bottles of distilled water
Accurately weigh out 5gm of the salt that is to be tested. Then, from a one litre bottle of distilled water, pour out 10 – 20 ml into a separate container. Stir the salt in this distilled water for a few minutes until dissolved. Once the salt is dissolved in the sample of distilled water, return the mixture to the one litre bottle, re-seal the bottle, shake and then re-open.
The next step is to withdraw exactly 2 ml of the water and add it to the second 1 liter bottle of distilled water. Seal and shake the bottle. When well shaken, open and immerse a nitrite dipstick into the liquid. Wait 30 seconds and then read from the colour chart the concentration of nitrite in the second water bottle. If the original 5gm sample is pure, the expected colour change that matches 10 mg/ litre will be seen. If lower concentrations are noticed it is likely the original sample of nitrite is not 100% pure.
Storage & Disposal of Sodium Nitrite
Sodium nitrite is stable, and can be stored at room temperature.
However, it should be stored in a sealed container. Sodium nitrite is also hygroscopic. This means that when exposed to air, it absorbs water and will slowly oxidize to sodium nitrate, silently degrading over time. Oxidization will render a sample of sodium nitrite ineffective as an end of life agent. Evidence of, deterioration can be difficult to determine by visual inspection.
There are no specific concerns with the disposal of any unused nitrite, and the shelf-life of properly stored salt is almost infinite.
Note: Because Exit has only had detailed, monitored accounts of relatively few nitrite deaths (<50), this remains far too few to be certain that unexpected and unexplained failures using this salt may not occur. The RPA table uses a * to indicate some uncertainty.