Dextromethorphan basics
By Dr. George.
Dextromethorphan (AKA "DM" AKA "DXM") is a disassociative anesthetic (same
family as Ketamine and PCP) found in over-the-counter cough syrups, like
Robitussin DM. ("Dr. Mom" my ass...)
Yes, you can get high from just chugging syrup, but (A) that's revolting
and (B) you need to make sure you get the right kind of syrup.
Before doing anything, check the medicinal ingredients. If the syrup
contains anything except Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide, don't get
it. This includes Dextromethorphan Polistirex - this slow-released
compound may be a lot worse for your brain and body. The non-medicinal
ingredients can be ignored as far as this goes.
You can also find cough candies, called Sucrets, that contain DXM. But
there are other types of Sucrets, so check the ingredients. Also, make
sure to buy the extra strength sucrets, the normal are a wimpy 5 mg per
candy, less than a third of what is in a small syrup bottle.
As far as the effects go, the way DXM metabolizes gives it different
levels with unique effects, called "plateaus."
At the first plateau music is affected, there is euphoria, enhanced
empathy, and a mild stimulant effect. At the second plateau you tend to
get into the world of motor control alteration, and minor perceptual
distortions.
At the third plateau, you'll have major perceptual distortions, and a
severe lack of motor control. It's something like a 100 beers, but more
psychedelic, less of a downer. At the fourth plateau, you may lose your
perceptions, or else you will have something similar to the third plateau,
but much more powerful.
If you care, the reason for the plateaus goes something like this:
In the body, DXM is metabolized into DXO. At the first plateau, almost
all of the DXM is converted, and the effects are those of the
DXO. However, your body can only convert a certain amount of DXM. The
higher the plateau, the more DXM in your body and the less DXO. The upper
plateaus are the result of DXM's effects, whereas the lower are DXO's.
If you want to investigate DXO further, the full name is dextrorphan.
Expect a minor hangover the next day (for me, the next day yawning feels
weird, and my balance is a bit off.)