Some people have trouble achieving hallucinations on DXM. Here are some suggestions that may be helpful, based on reports I have received (note: none of this should be taken as advice in any way; I'm just passing this along): Place yourself in partial or complete darkness. Most NMDA/sigma agents seem to give the best hallucinations when there is little or no visual input. Close your eyes.

DXM is a safe and effective cough suppressant ingredient found in over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines. When used according to directions, products containing DXM produce few side effects and have a long history of safety and effectiveness. Some teens are attempting to get high by taking much larger than recommended doses of DXM in the form of OTC cough syrup, tablets and gel caps. In these high doses, DXM can produce hallucinogenic and dissociative effects.

This is a small list of some of the things which people have reported were particularly unpleasant, boring, or otherwise unenjoyable. Most individuals who have exercised under the influence of DXM have reported negative effects such as nausea, vomiting, cramping, and a general loss of the more enjoyable aspects of the trip. This seems to become more and more significant with higher doses of DXM. The one exception seems to be swimming, which if done on a first plateau DXM dose can be enjoyable.

The effects of DXM abuse vary with the amount taken. Common effects can include confusion, dizziness, double or blurred vision, slurred speech, impaired pysical coordination, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, rapid heart beat, drowsiness, numbness of fingers and toes, and disorientation. DXM abusers describe different "plateaus" ranging from mild distortions of color and sound to visual hallucinations and "out-of-body," dissociative, sensations, and loss of motor control.

There are currently no adequate prevalence measures of DXM abuse, however, use is estimated to be low compared to other drugs. Abuse of cough medicines containing DXM is characterized as sporadic by the Drug Enforcement Administration. There is little in current teen culture - music, movies, fashion and entertainment - that promotes or even mentions cough medicine abuse. The one exception is the Internet.

Yes, especially if you take too much. Some of the more important dangers you might want to know about are: The last -- brain damage -- is fairly rare, occurring in less than 1% of the regular users I've interviewed. They all used DXM very frequently. If you do DXM twice a month or less, you'll probably be OK. But remember there's always the risk of something going wrong.

All chemical processes in this section require pure DXM. If you do not have pure DXM, you must extract from cough formulae as above (and purify it really well). Most of these processes require significant skill, and access to lab equipment and chemicals. To my knowledge none of this is illegal (but don't take my word on it). Don't fret if your yields aren't as good as specified. Most of the procedures are from the same source (96). This is probably the easiest by far.

Some people think so; others point out that while the lower two dosage plateaus are more recreational or fun, the upper two seem to be more suited for self-exploration and shamanic work.

No, it isn't. Sometimes people get confused because DXM's stereoisomer (basically, the mirror image molecule), called levomethorphan, is an opiate. In two dimensions the molecules look identical, but in three dimensions, they are mirror images of each other. DXM no more fits into opiate receptors than a left-hand threaded screw will fit into a right-hand threaded nut.

From one viewpoint, of course, anything can be addictive -- television, chocolate, masturbation, self-mutilation, etc. So in that sense, yes, DXM can be addictive. Somewhat more relevant are the degree to which DXM is addictive, and how such addiction manifests itself. The quick answer is, DXM can be addictive if you use too much, too often. The traditional distinction made with respect to addiction is between physical addiction and psychological addiction.

Possibly. There may be laws making it a crime to use OTC medicines in any way other than directed on the label. Not that this stops people from using ephedrine (a bronchodilator) as a stimulant. Nor are you likely to get caught and/or prosecuted; the authorities are much too busy infringing upon our civil rights looking for the illegal drugs. But, remember - I SPECIFICALLY instruct you NOT to use any medicine in a manner inconsistent with its labeling.

This section lists some things that various people have done on DXM that they have enjoyed. Note that not everyone will agree, and some of these activities may be unpleasant to some. Activities that are pleasant at one dosage may not be so at another. Probably the most common fun thing to do on DXM, especially at lower doses, is listen to music. Even at higher doses, music can be quite enjoyable, and will often induce fantastic closed-eye visions and hallucinations.

Since DXM becomes increasingly hard on the body and brain as the dosage increases, it is generally a good idea to make as much as you can out of a given dose. Here I offer the suggestions of various DXM users on tools to enhance the depth or intensity of the trip. These are especially useful at obtaining upper plateau effects from lower plateau dosages.

A number of web sites promote the abuse of DXM. The information on these sites ranges from recommending how much to take, suggesting other drugs to combine with DXM, instructing how to extract DXM from cough medicines, and even selling a powder form of DXM for snorting. Other sites display art, movies and music produced by people promoting DXM and other forms of drug abuse.

There are over 100 different products that contain DXM (not including generic brands). Most cough remedies contain DXM since the ingredient dextromethorphan safely and effectively suppresses coughs brought on by the common cold or flu. DXM works by raising the coughing threshold in the brain. Products that contain DXM come in several forms -- liquid, tablets, and gelcaps.

This is a difficult question to answer, because DXM's effects tend to vary widely depending on the person, their set and setting, other drugs, their physiology, and so on. DXM, probably more than most drugs, tends to exert its (recreational) effects on plateaus, rather than being linearly dose-dependent. Within a given plateau, a given set of effects will occur (at a roughly dose-dependent strength). On the other hand, once the next plateau is reached, the feeling may change entirely.

Third and especially fourth plateau DXM experiences seem to resemble ketamine experiences, and based on reports of people who have done both, the similarity is considerable. This is not surprising, since both DXM and ketamine block NMDA receptors. Although I have yet to receive any reports comparing DXM to PCP, I would imagine that, since PCP and ketamine are similar, upper DXM plateaus should resemble PCP as well.

Dextromethorphan hydrobromide is the water-soluble salt of dextromethorphan (DXM) and hydrobromic acid (that is, DXM hydrobromide is what you get when you react pure DXM with hydrobromic acid). DXM is a synthetic morphine analog, similar to levorphanol, but does not have any opiate-like effects. DXM has been in use in the USA for approximately 30 years, and has replaced codeine as an OTC cough suppressant (1-3).

The DXM you extracted is in free base form, so it is theoretically possible to smoke it using a vaporization pipe. This is, however, a difficult task; if you overheat it, it starts to smell like burning plastic, and in any case it's very harsh.

Well, maybe 'cause we're not on the air any more. Most likely, though, you live outside the viewing area, or are having strange cable problems. No, I can't fix your cable. Please don't ask.

Antidepressants of any kind. MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) are the worst; DXM + a MAOI will kill you. DXM with other antidepressants can cause serotonin syndrome, an unpleasant and occasionally fatal condition.

Well, that depends on how much you take. There are four different kinds of experiences, based on the dosage; these are called plateaus. The first plateau is a mild stimulant effect with a little bit of a buzz, and has been compared to MDA. The second plateau is more intoxicating and has been compared to being drunk and stoned at the same time. The third plateau is dissociative, like a lower dose of ketamine. The fourth plateau is fully dissociative like a higher dose of ketamine.