DXM
Source: rfgdxm.f2s.com

What is DXM?

DXM is in a class of drugs known as dissociative anaesthetics. Many of these have powerful psychedelic effects at sufficiently high doses. Coincidentally, DXM also suppresses the cough reflex. This is WHY a powerful psychedelic is sold legally OTC in pharmacies and grocery stores throughout the US, and many foreign countries. About the only reason why I can see DXM isn't a prescription controlled substance is that the only real alternative drugs for cough suppression are the opiates/opioids. THOSE have a much greater abuse potential, and government regulators took the lesser of 2 evils. Unlike opiates, relatively few find DXM appealing recreationally. According to William White's data, 1/3 of all who ever try DXM recreationally HATE the effects, 1/3 are indifferent and feel there are better drugs to have fun with, and only 1/3 actually enjoy DXM enough to use it repeatedly. There are at least several reasons for this. One is that about 7% of all Caucasians (the rate varies with other ethnic groups) have a genetic mutation known as CYP2D6 deficiency. This is a liver enzyme that is critical in metabolizing DXM. It turns out if you are one of the unlucky 1 in 14 or so that have this mutation, DXM at recreational doses will likely be an unpleasant, psychotic nightmare. Other reasons are that the effects of DXM are not what many want in a drug, nasty side effects, unpleasantness of drinking cough syrup, and other downsides. These factors, and the availability of better drugs on the street, have kept DXM's recreational use relatively low.

The effects of DXM are not really like any other drug. The closest comparisons would be to other dissociative anaesthetics, such as ketamine or PCP. DXM is closer to ketamine in effects, but is still more different than similar to that. The effects of DXM cannot reasonably be compared with other psychedelics, such as the serotonergics (LSD, magic mushrooms, etc.) Both can make you hallucinate and alter your states of consciousness, but in much different ways.

Who should NOT use DXM?

This is complex, but there are many for whom recreational DXM use is a bad idea, and possibly very dangerous. For all the warnings in detail, one really needs to read William White's aforementioned FAQ in its entirety. However, certain specific warnings: NEVER use DXM with, or up to two weeks before or three weeks after, a MAOI (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor), which are certain drugs that are usually prescribed for depression (although, rather rarely today), and also certain recreational MAOIs like harmaline. Mixing DXM with MAOIs has in fact been FATAL to humans. NEVER use DXM with yohimbe, as this is a MAOI and also may well be fatal. NEVER use DXM with the antidepressants Desyrel (trazodone) or Serzone (nefazodone), as this may cause liver damage. NEVER use with the antihistamine terfenadine (Seldane), as this could be fatal. Also, DXM should be avoided if taking any of the SSRI antidepressants (Prozac, etc. If you are taking an antidepressant and don't know if it is an SSRI, ask your pharmacist.) This risks serotonin syndrome. Tricyclic antidepressants (again, ask a pharmacist if using any antidepressant), lithium, or the diet drugs the diet drugs phentermine and fenfluramine used with DXM also risk serotonin syndrome, so don't use DXM if taking any of these.

NEW WARNING ABOUT TAKING DXM WITH MDMA ("Ecstasy"): Based on the best currently available data I have about interactions when DXM is simultaneously used with MDMA ("Ecstasy"), I am currently strongly advising against such use. If used together in a dangerous setting, such as a rave or nightclub when dancing, this combination has routinely resulted in hyperthermia and hospitalizations. Even if DXM and MDMA are taken together in a temperature controlled setting with no excercise, some reports I have suggest that even that might be very dangerous. As such, my recommendation is DON'T use DXM and MDMA at the same time, or within 96 hours of using the other drug.

NEVER use DXM if pregnant or nursing a baby. NEVER use DXM if you suffer from any mental illness. Also, DXM should NEVER be used if you have any liver or kidney disorders, hypertension (high blood pressure) or other heart problems, epilepsy, seizures, or ulcers.

Recreational Effects of DXM.

DXM is peculiar in that unlike most drugs, where higher doses just cause stronger effects, DXM is different. For most people, DXM exhibits "plateaus" where at increasingly higher doses the overall effect of the drugs changes dramatically. Within a given plateau, higher doses mean stronger effects, but once you move into another plateau, other effects tend to dominate. DXM has four actual plateaus. (There is something called "Plateau Sigma", which involves taking huge amounts and in divided doses. This is ignored in this guide, which is introductory. Plateau Sigma is reserved only for very experienced DXM users who take great risks, including death and brain damage.) These plateaus are based on mg/kg dosing. For those unfamiliar with dosing drugs this way, you calculate a mg/kg dose by taking the total amount of DXM ingested, and dividing that by your weight in kg. (If you only know your weight in pounds, divide that by 2.2 to get your weight in kg.) These are averages, and can vary from user to user. Also, a small percentage of DXM users don't notice a sharp change in effects as they move from plateau to plateau. However, most people do notice the plateau effect. Also, effects do vary from person to person as to what happens at these plateaus. For example, MOST DXMers find third plateau either way too psychotic, way too intense, or both; and the first use is the last. A small percentage, however, really do enjoy third (and fourth) plateau doses. The reasons for these variations are likely many, and probably much of it is due to genetics, and how your brain is wired. In simple English, some people by genetic luck of the draw find upper plateaus of DXM enjoyable, while others don't. This is true not only for DXM, but lots of other drugs. One example, which actually is related to DXM, is codeine. Most find codeine a good pain killer and quite fun to take. However, about 7% of people lack a key liver enzyme that converts codeine into morphine in the body, and these unlucky souls find codeine just makes them sick. Coincidentally, the enzyme used by the human body to covert codeine to morphine, CYP2D6, is also one of the 2 liver enzymes that are key to metabolizing DXM. CYP2D6 converts DXM to DXO, which is an active metabolite that also makes you trip (DXM itself is also psychoactive.) Without the proper CYP2D6 gene, almost no DXM is converted to DXO, which makes for a hellish, unpleasant experience. Probably genetic variation in how human brains are actually wired is the other main reason for the difference in reaction to DXM. Thus, based on genetics and other factors, YMMV (your mileage may vary).

First plateau (1.5-2.5 mg/kg).

Above around 1.5 mg/kg, recreational effects of DXM start becoming apparent. Most describe the sensation as sort of like being a little drunk and a little stoned at the same time. No hallucinations occur at this level. Only psychedelic effects are that some notice that colors seem "different", such as deeper or richer. Some also notice sound is changed. Some people like the effect DXM has on sound, and particularly with music. This is known as music euphoria. However, others find DXM makes music sound terrible, sort of tinny and distorted. Only way to know for you is to listen to music on DXM and see if you like it. At this plateau one isn't overly intoxicated, and could possibly even enjoy DXM use at this level in social situations. Moving about is quite easy, and some enjoy this on first plateau. Again, this is a matter of taste, and may not be true for you. For most people, nothing really bad will happen at this level, unless they do something stupid like get behind the wheel of a car, or use where they are in an unsafe environment. Strangely, relatively few recreational DXMers report usage at first plateau levels. However, for some it is fun, and beginners may enjoy it more than the experienced user.

Second plateau. (2.5-7.5mg/kg).

THIS plateau is the where most recreational DXM usage takes place. Particularly, this is the level where the visual hallucinations begin to occur, and are enjoyed the best by most. DXM visual hallucinations aren't like those of any other drug. Certainly DXM is vastly different in effects than LSD or 'shrooms. With DXM, hallucinations are only really noticeable in a dark room with eyes shut (of course, if the room is totally pitch black, then it doesn't make a difference whether your eyes are open or not.) These are known as CEV's, or closed eye visual hallucinations. These consist of sheets, swirls and blobs of color that move about. Rarely is anything that looks "real" seen. Sort of a light show in your head. The exact nature of what is seen varies from person to person, and this is hard to put into words. Many find these hallucinations enjoyable, but they can get boring if you do DXM too often. It is these hallucinations that are the most appealing aspect of DXM for most.

At second plateau levels, some feel a "body high" that is pleasant, while others don't get this effect. Unfortunately, negative physical effects, like nausea, often tend to overwhelm the pleasant body buzz. Many a DXMer has puked from using the drug. No way of knowing how fun the body buzz will be until you try DXM at these levels.

At second plateau levels, physical coordination is impaired. You may stagger around a bit. Also, double vision is a hallmark of DXM at second plateau, so if you have to move, shut one eye. Most users at this level don't need a sober trip sitter, although it can't hurt to have one, particularly with early usage at a given level until you know the effects. If you don't have a sitter at second plateau, just make sure you won't knock anything over, and the environment you are in is safe and controlled

Third plateau (7.5-15mg/kg)

At third plateau, the psychotomimetic (psychosis like) effects of DXM take over. Hallucinations are still there, but it is likely the altered state of consciousness will be the dominating factor of the experience. Sensory input can be seriously impaired, particularly vision. Logic and causality easily break down once you get to the third plateau levels. Notions that are totally bizarre may seem to make perfect sense. It is very east to become extremely delusional and disoriented. One might also recall forgotten or repressed memories at these levels. The effects vary so greatly that there is no "typical" third plateau trip. Just expect it to be overwhelming. Depending on how things go, this could make for a good or bad trip. Unfortunately, for most, at this level trips tend to go bad. Although, ironically, it is often the case that the bad trips are the ones that you learn the most from. Needless to say, one can see the importance of a sober trip sitter at this level. Many still can move about at third plateau levels, and unintentionally or intentionally harm themselves. The sitter at third plateau is mostly there to make sure the tripper doesn't do anything stupid. Something serious possibly could come up that would require calling an ambulance, but it is unlikely that this would be needed at third plateau.

Fourth plateau (15-30 mg/kg; although dosing beyond 20 mg/kg is not advisable, nor needed, for most people.)

At this level, total mind/body dissociation occurs. The tripper loses some or all contact with his external senses, and is unable to move or respond to stimuli. He/she is in his own imaginary universe, while the sitter is watching to make sure the tripper doesn't choke on his/her own vomit, go into seizures, or otherwise need medical attention. As for what the experience is, anything is possible. Some have hallucinated contacts with god(s), alien beings, seeing bizarre worlds, and other strange effects, along with completely irrational thinking. Dosage at this level is far from safe, and should done only by those who have taken DXM at third plateau levels before, and have done so with positive outcomes. Even in that case, considering the known risks of DXM with respect to brain damage (and the fact this risk is greatest at fourth plateau levels), remember the brain you may be frying will be yours. Thus, don't even think about use at these sorts of doses unless you fully understand and accept the high risk involved. Also, NEVER, EVER use at this level without a SOBER trip sitter.
 

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