The Complete Guide To Dextromethorphan (DXM)
The Complete Guide To Dextromethorphan (DXM) is a comprehensive guide to dextromethorphan (decks-tro-meth-OR-fan), the cough suppressant commonly found in cough medicines available over-the-counter in the USA and other parts of the world.
Of course, dextromethorphan (DXM) does more than suppress coughs; otherwise, there wouldn’t be so much discussion about it today. The bizarre truth about DXM is that it is a very potent psychoactive drug when taken in sufficient quantities. So if you’ve ever heard about people drinking cough syrup for fun, well, now you know why.
The trouble, however, is that most cough medicines have other ingredients which can make you uncomfortable, sick, or dead, depending on the ingredient and how much you take.
It is the intention of this document for people to know the truth so they don’t make bad decisions for lack of knowledge. DXM is not safe and harmless; nothing is. Nor is it universally enjoyable; in fact, some find high-dose DXM experiences terrifying. But I believe that people can only make good decisions, or learn from bad decisions, if information is available.
This document is primarily intended to combat potentially dangerous misinformation about the recreational use of DXM.
Content covered includes:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
PRELIMINARY
- Restrictions and Disclaimer
- Distribution Restrictions
- General Disclaimer
- How to Reach the Author
- Why a DXM FAQ?
- Keeping DXM Legal
- How to Use This Document
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT DXM
- DXM Quick Reference Page
- What is Dextromethorphan (DXM) Hydrobromide?
- What is Dextromethorphan Polistirex?
- What is Dextrorphan (DXO)?
- How does one obtain and use DXM?
- Drinking Cough Syrup
- Gelcaps and Capsules
- Pharmaceutical and Chemical Suppliers
- Extracted DXM Ingestion
- Injection and Other Routes
- What are some typical DXM-containing commercial preparations?
- 1mg/ml DXM (120mg per 4oz bottle)
- 1.5mg/ml DXM (180mg per 4oz bottle)
- 2mg/ml DXM (240mg per 4oz bottle)
- 3mg/ml DXM (360mg per 4oz bottle)
- 15mg/capsule or tablet
- 30mg/capsule or tablet
- What should I know about other drug ingredients?
- Decongestants
- Antihistamines
- Guaifenesin
- Analgesics
- Alcohol
- Food Coloring / Dyes
- Bromide Ions
- Other “Inactive” Ingredients
- Why are so many DXM preparations in liquid form?
- Is recreational use of DXM illegal?
- Other (medical) uses for DXM
- Drug Interactions
- What about other cough suppressants?
- Can DXM be detected on drug tests?
THE DXM DRUG EXPERIENCE
- What is the general character of a DXM experience?
- The First Plateau
- Sensory Effects
- Cognitive Effects
- Motor Effects
- Memory Effects
- Emotional Effects
- The Second Plateau
- Sensory Effects
- Cognitive Effects
- Motor Effects
- Memory Effects
- Emotional Effects
- The Third Plateau
- Sensory Effects
- Cognitive Effects
- Motor Effects
- Memory Effects
- Emotional Effects
- The Fourth Plateau
- Is there anything beyond the fourth plateau?
- What happens with long-term or regular use?
- What are some fun or interesting things to do on DXM?
- Listen to Music
- Dance
- Go Swimming (low dose only!)
- Group Tripping
- Have Sex
- Shamanic Journeying (see also Section 3.12)
- Hang out in a Sensory Deprivation Tank
- What are some things to avoid on DXM?
- Heavy Exercise
- Driving
- Going to Class or School
- Dose “Boosting” and Redosing
- Why does DXM affect different people so differently?
- How does DXM compare with other dissociatives?
- Is there any connection between DXM and out-of-body or shamanic experiences?
- Why can’t I hallucinate on DXM?
DXM SIDE EFFECTS AND OTHER THINGS TO AVOID
- What are the potential side effects and risks of occasional use?
- Nausea and other gastric disturbances
- Itching and allergic reactions
- Hangovers
- Pupil dilation
- Tachycardia (Increased heart rate)
- Hot and cold flashes
- Hyperthermia
- Panic attacks
- Overexertion
- Psychotic episodes
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Miscellaneous
- What are the potential side effects and risks of regular use?
- Mania
- Cognitive impairment
- Memory impairment
- Habituation and Psychological Addiction
- Tolerance and Physical Addiction
- Neurotoxicity
- Excitotoxic Rebound
- Psychosis
- Kidney damage
- Bromide poisoning
- Miscellaneous
- Is DXM addictive?
- Is DXM withdrawal dangerous?
- DXM hangovers – avoiding and alleviating
- How toxic is DXM? What is the LD50? Should I worry?
- Do you recommend DXM for recreational use?
- Help! What do I do if…
- Itching (the “Robo Itch”)
- Fast Heartbeat and Panic Attacks
- Irregular Heartbeat, or “Skipped Beats”
- Nausea, vomiting, gas, and diarrhea
- Unconsciousness
- High body temperature / fever
- Shortness of breath
- Sensation of choking one’s tongue
- Nosebleeds
- Feeling “dead” / losing one’s body
- Hangovers (lethargy and feeling “not all there”)
- Prolonged dissociation from the real world
PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF DXM
- How does DXM inhibit the cough reflex?
- How does DXM cause its psychoactive effects?
- General Information
- Contribution of the PCP2 Binding Site
- Contribution of the Sigma Binding Sites
- Contribution of the NMDA Receptor
- Contributions of Indirect Activity
- Flanging
- Hyper-Abstraction
- Delusions and Memory Problems
- Why does DXM exhibit plateaus?
- Plateaus 1-3: Multiple Receptors
- The Fourth Plateau
- Why is this so complicated?
- How does DXM get metabolized? (Pharmacokinetics)
- Factors Affecting DXM’s Metabolism
NEUROPHARMACOLOGY OF DXM
- What is a receptor, anyway? (Basic Neuropharmacology)
- What are Sigma Receptors?
- Sigma 1 Receptors and General Sigma Information
- Sigma 2 Receptors
- Sigma 3 Receptors
- What are NMDA Receptors?
- NMDA and Other Glutamate Receptors
- NMDA Receptor Function and Structure
- NMDA and Excitotoxicity
- What are PCP2 Receptors?
- What are Na+ and Ca2+ channels?
- How does DXM compare to other drugs at these receptors?
- Endopsychosin and the Big Picture
DXM CHEMISTRY AND EXTRACTION
- How can I extract DXM from cough formulae?
- How can I get rid of other drug ingredients?
- How do I use free base DXM?
- How can I synthesize DXM?
- What can I synthesize from DXM?
- Dextrorphan
- Levorphanol / Levomethorphan
- 3-substituted Analogs
MIXING DXM WITH OTHER RECREATIONAL DRUGS
- Alcohol
- Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines
- Amphetamines and Other Psychostimulants
- Cannabis (Marijuana)
- LSD, psilocybin, and other 5HT hallucinogens
- Opiates
- PCP and ketamine
- Nicotine
- Nootropics (Smart Drugs)
- Miscellaneous Other Drugs
DXM DRUG CULTURE
- Is there, or was there, a DXM drug culture?
- Why haven’t I ever heard about it?
- Is there a “drug slang” for DXM?
- Are there any street names for DXM?
- How do I explain to my friends that I’m getting high off cough syrup?
DXM EXPERIENCES AND PERSONAL REPORTS
- First and Second Plateau Experiences
- Positive Experiences
- Negative Experiences
- Third and Fourth Plateau Experiences
- Positive Experiences
- Negative Experiences
- Long-term Use Experiences
- Positive Experiences
- Negative Experiences
- Multiple Drug Experiences
- DXM + Cannabis + Alcohol + Opium
- DXM + Cyclizine
- DXM + Psilocybe mushrooms + LSD + Cannabis + Nitrous Oxide
APPENDICES
- Appendix 1: P450 Inhibiting Drugs
- Appendix 2: Receptor Binding of Recreational Drugs
- Appendix 3: Other Sigma and NMDA Ligands
- REFERENCES
- GLOSSARY
- INDEX
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