Outlaw Chemist Loses Patreon and YouTube Accounts After Drug Synthesis Tutorials
WIRED reports that Myco, who claims his work promotes harm reduction, faces platform bans despite asserting his content is purely educational.
Willy Myco, an online educator known as the "Outlaw Chemist," has had his Patreon and YouTube accounts removed after publishing more than 120 videos detailing the synthesis of controlled substances. The masked educator, who claims his work promotes harm reduction and scientific education, stated that YouTube removed his channel for violating terms of service, while Patreon cited policies prohibiting instructions for creating controlled substances.
Myco’s YouTube channel, "Willy’s World," had over 96,000 followers before its removal. A YouTube spokesperson confirmed the channel was taken down under terms prohibiting the creation of new channels after termination. Myco responded on Instagram, asserting the channel had zero strikes and was censored for safety. Shortly after, Patreon removed his account following an internal investigation, citing violations of policies against providing instructions for controlled substances.
The educator has released tutorials covering LSD, MDMA, DMT, and 2C-B, also known as "tripstasy." In a video posted on Halloween 2024, Myco claimed to show the step-by-step production of "100 percent pure LSD," featuring a greenish-blue liquid. He warned that the substance could cause intense effects if it touched skin or eyes, though no on-camera testing confirmed the substance's identity.
Critics, including expert Hamilton Morris, have questioned the purity and safety of Myco's methods. Morris stated with "absolute certainty" that the substance shown in the LSD video was not pure, noting the unusual green-blue colour was suspicious. Myco has faced threats from other drug producers who argue his tutorials could harm their business, prompting him to increase his security measures.
Documents shared with WIRED indicate Myco’s revenue from last year possibly reached into the six figures. He organises annual trips for his subscribers, including a recent "Tripaween" event in Sedona, Arizona. Myco plans to continue his operations via Discord and his website, with intentions to film a synthesis video for 7-OH to counter an impending US Drug Enforcement Administration ban.
