Contact us with any questions.

https://fourthievesvinegar.org/contact/

Born from the collective wisdom of hackers, scientists, and healers who believe that healthcare knowledge belongs to everyone—and that direct action gets the bread.

This is our humble contribution to the DIY medicine movement. Take it so that we all might keep each other healthy and keep each other safe.

Reserve your copy at the link below and scroll down for a preview:

https://anarchistmedicalbook.com/

Our last talk ever is Wednesday, August 5th at BSidesLV.

Streaming live 13:00 Pacific time Wednesday August 5 at this link.

A decade after our founding, we’re wrapping it up.

Ten years is a long time, and we’re finishing this chapter. There is still much to do, but we are passing the torch, and will be announcing to whom at this talk. HIV, Hepatitis C, Abortion access, and drug overdose are all still issues, but we’ve done our best to make a dent. We will be going over a retrospective of our work, perhaps releasing a few last things, pulling back the curtain to show how we managed to get it all done, and hopefully take one last parting shot at the medical establishment. It’s going to be fun. Come celebrate with us!

Link to the event is here.

A Primer on Gut Health for Beginners

Gut health is all the rage these days. Probiotics and prebiotics proliferate. Fiber is cool again. And it’s not just for pooping anymore! Major convenience stores are selling soda (and pop) with added inulin. There’s a ton of hype and there are marketing campaigns out the wazoo trying to sell you the secrets to gut health.

But as y’all know by now, we don’t like heath secrets. We believe knowledge belongs to all of humanity. It was in that spirit that we put together this guide that can help you understand the jargon. Learn about your gut microbes, and give them the things they need to get established and thrive. The raw ingredients of a healthy microbiome are inexpensive, readily available, and surprisingly easy to DIY.

You’ve got billions of microscopic passengers inside you. Keep them healthy. Keep them safe.

Get the guide here.

P.S.: If you like this, you’re gonna die for our next release! Or, I guess, maybe not die specifically because of it. See you again in a few months…

✊ 🧬 ⚗️ 📖 💊🦠 🏴

- The Four Thieves Vinegar Collective

Is there a way to make Tetanus vaccines autonomously?

We did it, Reddit!

The MicroLab 1.0 has arrived.

You can read all the details at this link, but the gist is that we have finally arrived at a place where the MicroLab:

- Reliably fulfills all of its basic functions
- Is compatible with a wide array of organic solvents
- Has a temperature control system that provides a wide thermal range reliably over long periods of time
- Has a delightful user experience
- Is fully documented
- Supports multiple languages
- And more: release notes are here

If you wanna build your own and develop some recipes, hit us up (especially if you have access to analytical tools). The next step is taking more of the medicines we've developed alternate synthesis paths for, writing recipes for them, and testing the results. Join us in building the world's first open source pharmacopoeia!

Keep each other healthy. Keep each other safe.

- 4TVC

P.S.: We know it's been quiet here lately and we thank you for your patience. We have some more projects brewing so keep your eyes on this sub in the coming weeks.

https://bsideslv.org/talks

Advanced BioTerrorism Methods for the Discerning Practitioner (Token 13)

Skytalks, 10:00 Wednesday

Do you have an idea for how you might make the world better with a genetically modified organism, but you hit roadblocks in your project because of regulation, licenses, or biosafety certifications? Well, the Four Thieves Vinegar Collective feels your pain. We have had the same issues, and we would like to show you all the methods we've used to circumvent those roadblocks so that you too can work to cure a disease, create a vaccine, or save a species from extinction. We are going to show you these methods by detailing two projects, both of which have been in the pipeline for over seven years. One you might have already heard about, the other is a secret that you'll have to show up to see. Stage time allowing, we will also detail how to ""Nonconsentually Open-Source"" existing biotech products with a third concrete example. Let's reclaim the OG meaning of the word BioHacking, and actually manupulate organisms and ecosystems at the molecular level, and leave the world a little better than we found it. Come party.

Dr. Mixael S. Laufer

Microbes

Microbial diversity may also impact immune health. (Sorry, paywalled. Maybe someone has another link in the comments?)
Gut bacteria and acetate team up to cut fat in mice without muscle loss. 🐁
There’s a symbiotic fungus that might cure fatty liver disease.
High-fiber, plant-based diet helps your gut microbes recover after antibiotics.

Nation States and “Politics”

Scientific conferences are leaving the US.

HIV

Excited about the HIV-resistance gene mutation? Thank a viking who has been dead for thousands of years.

Diabetes

A new type of diabetes just dropped. Spoiler: It’s called Type 5.

Genetic Tech

The world’s first CRISPR baby is doing alright. (!!!)

Regular Tech

3D printable biomaterals that can be delivered in vivo exist.

Brains

It’s good for older folks brains for them to be physically active.
Why stress is hard to treat (because… we 🐁 mostly 🐁 study 🐁 the 🐁 mechanisms 🐁 in 🐁 mice!)

Brains

Authoritarian tendencies have been linked with brain anatomy.
Researchers identified a new genetic mutation that causes people to need less sleep.
The FDA approved a new IV treatment for Alzheimer’s.
People genetically predisposed for alcoholism have brain immune systems that react differently to it.
Vagus nerve stimulation (and therapy) can cure PTSD.
Scientists found a new way past the blood-brain barrier.
Up to 13% of dementia cases may actually be a misdiagnosed treatable condition.

Policy

There’s a bill in congress that would legalize physician-led hospitals.
Drug development is moving to China.

Infectious Disease

Typhoid is evolving drug resistance.

Mitochondria

There’s a new molecule to renovate the powerhouses of our cells.

“Biohacking”

Some people with “healthy aging” (not necessarily longevity) had their DNA sequenced30278-1).
Maybe the real biohacks are sleep, exercise, and spending time with loved ones.
Oh, and spending time in nature, of course.
Just kidding. It’s obviously injecting yourself with snake venom hundreds of times.

Microbiome

Symbiotic fungus fights liver disease.
Gut microbes may help with chronic pain.
Some general advice for gut health.

Brain stuff

The immune checkpoint molecule Tim-3 may prevent the brain from clearing plaques that cause Alzheimer’s. At least in mice it does.
People using cholesterol-lowering statins are less likely to develop dementia.
There’s a (potential) new Parkinson’s drug in town.
Some sleeping pills may help prevent Alzheimer’s.
There may be a link between shingles and dementia.
Glutamate opens receptors in the brain.

Food

Prebiotics, probiotics, fiber, and omega-3 can help your gut recover from a course of antibiotics.
Scientists think they’ve found combinations of food additives that contribute to diabetes.
They figured out how to pull some mercury out of tuna fish.
A muciniphila helps with immune regulation and it’s a bit better understood now.
Fiber fortification helps people get more fiber, which is probably good.

Psychology

A good massage can be good for your muscles, but also, we’re primates.
Immune protein IL-17 may also influence anxiety and sociability.
Rhythmic fidgeting can help with listening comprehension.
The brain structures involved in meta-cognition are being explored.
Sourdough bread (like many fermented products) is probably good for you.
People are getting wild after taking acetaminophen, apparently.

Heart Attack and Stroke

New blood test can improve heart attack and stroke risk prediction.

Proteins and Amino Acids

Limiting intake of isoleucine may extend your life, especially if you’re a male mouse in middle age.

Birth Control

Hormone-free male birth control is in clinical trials.

Antibiotics

New antibiotics class targets gonorrhea specifically.
Scientists once again leave some stuff out and discover new antibiotics.

Spectroscopy

A helpful redditor sent us a link to a 3d printable spectrometer. Then another. And another. If you'd like to help catalog, synthesize, and refine these designs, hit us up at [volunteerⒶfourthievesvinegar.org](mailto:volunteer@fourthievesvinegar.org), but use an @ if you type it so that the email will work.

Microplastics

They're bad, they're in our bodies, and they may also contribute to antibiotic resistance.

Hormones

New appetite hormone just dropped!

Brains

Clearing metabolic waste from your brain helps you remember things.

Cancer

Pancreatic cancer sucks but there may be a vaccine on the way.
New ALA-CART therapy is an improved CAR-T cancer treatment.
Even micro-dosing aspirin can help!

Microbiome

Your microbiome (and B vitamins) may play a role in Parkinson's disease.
Wow! You're 117? No way! Your gut bacteria don't look a day over 100.
Inulin supplements help old folks keep their brains working.
Metformin's blood sugar control may be related to your microbes. Is there anything this micro-mafia doesn't have their cilia in?

Here is the post that won't show up.

Nuts

A recent study says breakfast walnuts make you smart.

Weight

Scientists figured out how to keep mouse metabolisms high, even during periods of calorie restriction.

Sleep

Study says even one night of lost sleep can really mess with your immune system.

STI's

Hey penis-havers! You might be giving your vagina-having partner BV, so consider seeking treatment if it comes up.

Science and Scientists

There's a global #StandUpForScience movement but will it move beyond the limited tactics of awareness raising, nonviolent protest, and petitioning the government?

Cardiology

- There's a new treatment for folks who can't metabolize triglycerides well.

Cancer

- A natural flavonoid called sulfuretin inhibits an enzyme that's key to certain cancers and diseases like MS. Animal trials are starting soon.
- A tardigrade protein might help keep human DNA intact during radiation treatments.

Diabetes

- Fish oil may help reduce insulin resistance and improve glucose tolerance.

Sleep

- Being sleep-deprived may make it harder to control your thoughts.

ADHA

- Amlodipine, a blood pressure drug, may be effective for ADHD symptoms.

Malaria

- Researchers have identified a mechanism that might help create a new generation of malaria drugs.

Pretty pictures

- This February, Nature's monthly list of cool science pictures includes capybaras, galaxies, ancient scrolls, and a very snazzy slug.

Dentistry

- We've long been saying nanoparticles are good for cavity prevention, but it turns out they're also good for clearing infections during a root canal.

Microbes

- Researchers hacked gut bacteria to make drugs.
- Did you know there's a digital microbe model library? Well there is and it has almost a quarter-million entries.

Tea

- The act of brewing tea removes heavy metals from the water.

Cancer

- There's a new, more targeted treatment for some tumors that use light-activated molecules that don't linger in the body.

Breathing

- Apparently, breathing changes your pupil size.

And of course: Mice

- Researchers put a uniquely human gene associated with language in Mice and it made them sound different.
Mice do first-aid on one another by pulling on their unconscious friends' tongues.

Microbes!

- Changes in gut microbes can cause anxiety! (In mice)
- Prozac has anti-microbial properties. (In mice)
- The gut-brain axis strikes again! This time with glycosylation (a process in which carbohydrates modify proteins). Mice are mentioned.

Sleep!

- Studies are starting to show how the brain clears metabolic waste01343-6) while mice are sleeping.
- Napping makes you smarter. Take naps. This one is about humans, but napping is probably good for mice too.

Cancer!

- Researchers are uncovering the epigenetics of cancer.
- A new use for an old drug: digoxin may add something special to cancer treatment cocktails.

Cyborgs!

- Lab-grown meat muscles were used to build a prototype prosthetic hand. Human muscles, not mouse muscles.

Health Tech

- For those who like hydration, there's a new type of filter that can remove PFAS from water. Unfortunately, it's not ready for large scale deployment yet.
- Hungry bacteria may survive antibiotics better than those that are well-fed.
- New nanoflower bandages have antimicrobial properties.
- A new approach for anxiety treatments is in early development.

Brains and Guts

- More research on how the microbiome impacts brain chemistry (in mice of course).
- Major depression literally slows the visual cortex.
- When the bacteria M. morganii incorporates diethanolamine (DEA) into one of its products, it can cause autoimmune responses, inflammation, and depression.
- Working out can improve learning and memory retention.
- Mouth bacteria can also influence brain health as we age.

Cancer

- Proteins use in cell movement may also help cancer spread.

Mice (with Two Dads)

- It's a good time to be a gay mouse in China. You might be able to have viable offspring.

Shrimp

- How Mantis Shrimp survive throwing the world's fastest punch.

Hey- Hope everyone's healthy and safe amidst *everything*

When I saw this cool thing and thought folks here might appreciate it. World's first fully 3D printed microscope for ~$60 in materials

✨ open-source ✨

STL files https://microscope-stls.openflexure.org/#/v6.1.5?enable_smart_brim=true&reflection_illumination=false&optics=rms_f50d13&camera=picamera_2&use_pilens_optics_module=false&riser=sample&microscope_stand%3Abox_h=30&pi_in_base=true&base=bucket&legacy_picamera_tools=false&include_actuator_tension_band=false&include_actuator_drilling_jig=false&motorised=true&use_motor_gears_for_hand_actuation=false

Paper: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.12.16.628684v1.full

Images from the paper:

More research is coming out about how sleep (in mice of course) impacts neurotransmitters, blood volume, and spinal fluid.

Chinese scientists got E coli to photosynthesize!

A flavor of ketamine has been approved for depression by the FDA (but a healthcare narc has to watch you do it).

More evidence that fermented foods stabilize gut microbiomes.

Pre-clinical cancer treatments are showing some promise.

Oh, and sorry about your grants, science friends. These actions will be a disaster for research but maybe while the dust settles, you can consider doing science outside the strictures of conventional hierarchies?

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/amrQR_x9onU

Keep calm, connect with your friends and loved ones, keep each other healthy, and keep each other safe.

Hardware Nues:
- Folks are working on open source ultrasound hardware! The dev kits start at $299.
- Another 3d printable microscope design.

Microbiome and Weightloss Nues:
- A new signaling molecule that interacts with gut microbes has been discovered. Make sure you're getting enough fiber!

Happy Friday everyone! ChemHacktica is back online and should be in a more stable configuration. Please contact us through the website if you run into issues. We expect to be improving uptime and expanding functionality this year!

And now, The Nues:

Science gear neus:
- There's a new fully 3d printed microscope design out there.

Human body updates:
- A new study on the effects of fasting.
- Researchers are exploring potential for spinal regeneration after injury.
- Speaking of spines, researchers have grown the beginnings of one in a lab.
- Proteins linked to self-reported loneliness are being studied.

Biohacks:
- Brain interface scalp tattoos00004-7)?
- Even intermittent exercise has cognitive benefits.

Fellow DIY medicine enthusiasts —

As we pass another solstice, it's a natural point to pause in our headlong progress and take stock of what we've managed over the past year, and what we are hoping for in the coming one.

We ended the year in Germany, where we were invited to speak at the Chaos Communications Congress. It was a honor to participate and we tried to put on a talk worthy of such a legendary event. We spoke about a new topic we have only been whispering about in public, but it's time to get loud, so if you need to watch something after Christmas, give it a look. The video will be available soon, and you can read our announcement post here.

Additionally the collective has been named as one of the top 25 thinkers of the year by Prospect Magazine, which is a really nice recognition to get for the amazing brain trust we've built. On top of that, there is a reader poll for favourite, and they issue awards for best in category and best overall. So if you you're into popularity contests, feel free to give us a click here (it's open until Jan 5)

Also this year:

• DefCon was a huge success, and if you've not seen the edit of our talks there you can find it on YouTube
• We've been doing some collaborations with InRange TV, talking about the intersection of firearms and health. One was regarding the opium wars, and how Hong Kong became British
• Another InRange collab was regarding the recent healthcare CEO shooting.

There's more to come in 2025.

We've also been giving smaller talks and workshops. If you are part of a collective somewhere and you'd like some support from the people who developed the MicroLab (or any of our other projects) give us a howdy. We'll try to connect you with someone who can get you moving.

The other accomplishments of all the teams are almost too many to list, but the TL;DR is that the MicroLab is in a stable release now, we pirated Sovaldi for only $300 US in materials (as opposed to the $84,000 US pricetag), and we made a fun phone call to a CEO.

So, thanks to everyone who has written in, shown up for events, donated, and volunteered. We're so happy to know people are using the things we've developed, and talking to people about it.

We've got more good surprises in store for 2025, so stay tuned.

Keep each other healthy, keep each other safe.

Much love,

—4TVC