
gothbird
𝙿𝚘𝚎𝚝 𝙶𝚒𝚛𝚕
- Mar 16, 2025
- 431
Firstly, I want to mention that I am not a medical professional, chemist, scientist, or anything of that sort. I'm just someone with a lot of free time and a passion for reading. I recommend that anyone seeking reliable and well researched, documented methods check out both the PPH and the resources in the megathread!!
Potassium nitrite (KN), is a compound made up of potassium, nitrogen, and oxygen. It usually comes as a yellowish or white crystalline solid and is known for being a strong oxidiser. While it shares similarities with SN, KN is used far less often.
The reason I bring this up is that, as we're all aware, SN has recently hit its peak in media and government attention. Most suppliers have shut down, been compromised and/or placed under restrictions. The PPH (even as recent as the 2025 edition) indicates that other nitrites are being explored, with KN emerging as the next best alternative to SN. BUT please, never rush into a decision. Just because a method is getting more attention and there are more regulations doesn't mean you should hurry or feel pressured to act quickly out of fear of "missing your chance".
Where It's Used Outside of CTB:
KN has a few niche uses. In metal treatment and heat transfer, analytical chemistry and in the food industry. These days, that use (food) is either banned or regulated, mostly because nitrites can form cancer causing nitrosamines when exposed to high heat or acid.
What you could say if asked why you have KN:
"I use it as a corrosion inhibitor for small metalwork projects and rust protection, especially when working with tools or restoring vintage equipment."
"I use it occasionally in pigment preparation and textile dye experiments—particularly for reactions with aromatic amines."
I'd suggest having evidence of these uses around, i.e. photography equipment or something. Else, you can simply say you don't have it, or it didn't reach you."It's part of an old recipe I'm testing for alternative photography and film development methods."
Where to buy KN?:
KN is actually quite easy to find. Just take a look at marketplaces on the clear net for 'Potassium Nitrite' or the equivalent term in your language. If your usual search engines aren't helping, I suggest giving another one a try! You really only need a small bag (like 100 g), but most sources I've seen sell around a minimum of 250 g. Just make sure it's Nitrite and not Nitrate!!! Make sure you purchase 98% or higher.
How to store KN:
Exactly like SN!
Store it in a tightly sealed, clearly labelled container made of chemically resistant material like HDPE plastic or glass with a screw lid.
Light and heat can cause decomposition. A locked cabinet or drawer in a cool, dry room is ideal. Avoid places with moisture (like bathrooms or under the sink or your car) and never store it near anything flammable or organic (like sugar, sawdust, or petrol).
Never keep KN in the kitchen, pantry, fridge, or anywhere food or drink is handled.
Examples on Walmart.com:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/IFANLANDOR-2Pcs-Hdpe-Containers-1000ml-for-General-Users-with-Lids/16517851368?classType=REGULAR&from=/search
https://www.walmart.com/ip/unique-Bargains-5pcs-250ml-HDPE-Plastic-Wide-Mouth-Square-Liquid-Storage-Bottle-Container-White/3957652325?classType=REGULAR&from=/search
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Vials-Small-Glass-Bottles-Mini-Jars-With-Aluminum-Screw-Top-Storage-Lids-C3I3/2058694661?classType=VARIANT&from=/search
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Povinmos-Glass-Jars-with-Screw-Lids-Airtight-Kitchen-Canisters/5056782047?classType=VARIANT&from=/search
Examples on Temu.com (please for the love of god, don't shop on Temu for chemical storing supplies):
https://share.temu.com/YzD8n3iiYAA
https://share.temu.com/Wa30n1GO4SA
https://share.temu.com/dNLz3VkIxyA
https://share.temu.com/CsUGZX9z5lA
Examples on Amazon.com:
https://a.co/d/f9d9IaZ
https://a.co/d/5q95HKm
https://a.co/d/9pQzrVK
https://a.co/d/8wSqVGW
https://a.co/d/199E2Ic
https://a.co/d/cRGp4Nr
Stability of KN:
Source 1 - TLDR: Stable under normal conditions when dry, cool, and sealed.
Source 2 - TLDR: Degrades in high temps. Decomposes above ~350 °C, emitting toxic nitrogen oxides. Melting starts around 440 °C, with an auto-ignition point near 510 °C.
Source 3 - TLDR: If kept in sealed, opaque containers in a cool, dry spot, KN can remain stable for many months to years.
What Happens when KN is Ingested:
If KN is swallowed in a solution (identical to the one for SN), it can become dangerous quickly. The main effect is methaemoglobinaemia, just like SN. It is a condition where the nitrite turns normal haemoglobin into methaemoglobin. That sounds technical, but what it means is your blood can no longer carry oxygen properly.
Time Since Ingestion (minutes) | Likely Symptoms if Untreated |
---|---|
0 minutes | Ingestion occurs. No symptoms yet. |
5 minutes | Rapid absorption begins. Metallic taste, sudden nausea, chest tightness, or lightheadedness. |
10 minutes | Skin begins to turn pale or blue (especially lips and nails). Shortness of breath. Light confusion may begin. |
15 minutes | Loss of consciousness probably around here. Cyanosis worsens. Breathing shallow. Headache, dizziness, and collapse are common. |
20 minutes | Oxygen deprivation severe. Unconsciousness definitely by now. Seizures or vomiting may occur. Heart rate elevated. |
25 minutes | Deep coma or convulsions. Respiratory function deteriorating. Risk of cardiac arrest increasing. |
30 minutes | Very high risk of death. Without immediate treatment, survival is unlikely. |
Lethal Dose:
So there are potentially two lethal doses.
1:
https://westliberty.edu/health-and-safety/files/2012/08/Potassium-Nitrite.pdf <- my source

According to West Lib, the LD₅₀ (the dose required to kill 50% of test subjects) varies slightly depending on the species, but they report an acute oral LD₅₀ of 200 mg/kg in rabbits.
To offer a rough estimate based on the 200 mg/kg figure, a 70 kg adult human would have an extrapolated LD₅₀ of about 14 grams, though actual fatal doses have been reported from as little as 0.7 to 6 grams in sensitive individuals or when ingested rapidly. You have to remember though, LD₅₀ doesn't just translate to humans!!!!
If we compare to SN, I'd say that if you are an average or below average body type, 25g is a good dose, and if you consider yourself larger, than 30-35g is a good dose.
Body Weight (kg) | Estimated LD₅₀ Dose (grams) |
---|---|
60 kg | 25 g |
80 kg | 25 g |
100 kg | 25 g |
120 kg | 30-35 g |
140 kg + | 30-35 g |
2:
The only research I have found for potentially needing a higher dose is in this book which says:

Which in dumb people terms means SN is 67% nitrite by weight and KN is 54% nitrite by weight so:
25 mg SN × 0.67 = 16.75 mg nitrite
So if the normal SN dose is 25 mg then to get an equivalent dose in KN, you'd need 31mg.KN dose × 0.54 = 16.75 mg
Then you'd be looking more at something like this:
Body Weight (kg) | Estimated High Dose (grams) |
---|---|
60 kg | 30–31 g |
70 kg | 30–31 g |
80 kg | 30–31 g |
90 kg | 30–31 g |
100 kg | 40 g |
110 kg | 40 g |
120 kg | 40 g |
130 kg | 40 g |
140 kg | 40 g |
150 kg | 40 g |
160 kg | 40 g |
↓Regarding why people need to care about dosage↓
So the main reason why people don't overkill the dose with SN (or KN) is because larger doses greatly increase the chance of vomiting, which can ruin the method entirely. Nitrites are strong gastric irritants. The stomach lining gets inflamed, and this triggers immediate vomiting before enough can be absorbed. Doses above a certain threshold don't work better, they just become more dangerous in the wrong ways. Very large doses can lead to delayed/reduced absorption too which just means a slower, more distressing death.
The KN can be dissolved in 50ml of water. Stir with a plastic spoon, not metal! Also use a plastic cup. Make sure the KN is dissolved before consumption.
Scales:
As with SN, you need a jewellers scale with a 0.01 option. Something like:
https://a.co/d/aFYR1Uq
https://a.co/d/2MNvS6I
Reversing the effects of KN:
Just like SN, it's really important that you call your emergency department right away, let them know you've taken potassium nitrite (don't say KN because they honestly probably won't know), and inform them that you need methylene blue (pronounced Meth-uh-leen bloo) to help you survive. Making sure they get this information quickly could make all the difference.
KN Protocol:
Option1:
For the prior 48 hours, this is the regular protocol to follow provided by Stan for SN. It applies to KN, too.
Day 1 | Medication and Dose |
08:00hrs | 1 X 10mg Metoclopramide |
16:00hrs | 1 X 10mg Metoclopramide |
24:00hrs | 1 X 10mg Metoclopramide |
Day 2 | Medication and Dose |
08:00hrs | 1 X 10mg Metoclopramide |
16:00hrs | 1 X 10mg Metoclopramide |
23:00hrs | OPTIONAL: 600mg of Ibuprofen or 1000mg of paracetamol. You can use any painkiller as long as you stay within the recommended dose. |
23:15hrs | 3 X 10mg Metoclopramide (30mg in total) |
23:30hrs | Double dose of what is recommended on the label of the antacid. |
24:00hrs | KN drink. |
If you prefer, this is the repurposed SN protocol from the 2025 PPH!
- Fast (clear fluids only) for several hours, 8-12 being standard. You can read about that here. But there is no harm in doing longer. You know your body!
- Take 30mg (3x10 mg) tablets of metoclopramide
- (Optional) +/- 400mg crushed propranolol in water
- Wait 40 minutes
- During the wait time, dissolve 25gm of KN in 50-100 ml of plain water (30-35gm if body weight over 100Kg)
- Crush 20 x 30mg tablets (a full card of oxazepam) with mortar & pestle
- Mix crushed tablets with enough water until a drinkable solution is created
- Drink KN in water
- Drink oxazepam (+/- propranolol) in water
- Sit in a semi-reclined position ← (this is the only change I made)
What does semi-reclined look like? Here is a really cool drawing I did:

OTC alternatives/Medication Sourcing help:
- If you're struggling to get access to metoclopramide, alternative options available OTC are: Meclizine (e.g. Bonine, Antivert), Diphenhydramine (e.g. Benadryl), Dimenhydrinate (e.g. Dramamine). Else, there are online international pharmacies you can use to source antiemetics.
- If you're struggling to get access to propranolol, there are no real OTC alternatives. But beta blockers are optional and iirc you don't really need them! Else, see below.
- If you are struggling to get access to oxazepam, there are no real OTC alternatives as its a benzo. I recommend looking at this thread for absolutely no particular reason: https://sanctionedsuicide.site/threads/how-to-access-dark-net-markets-for-ctb-resources.106130/ It is mostly up to date. You can also look at using Brave browser which has an inbuilt Tor connection. Use this at your own risk!
- If you're struggling to get access to an antacid, alternative options available OTC are: Tums, Rolaids, Mylanta, Gaviscon, Maalox, Milk of Magnesia.
Here's extra stuff if you want to read about KN yourself:
Toxicological Profile for Nitrate and Nitrite. (this is the one for the second dosing theory above)
Re‐evaluation of potassium nitrite (E 249) and sodium nitrite (E 250) as food additives (this is a big one, so I reccomend ctrl+f and searching key words)
Potassium nitrite (compound)
Good old Wikipedia
The West Lib study I linked above
Okay, thanks bye!
