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115<b>from the DXM FAQ</b>
116<a name="toc.5"><font size="5"><b>5 The DXM Experience</b></font></a><br/><br/>
117used at Erowid with the permission of author William White<br/><br/>
118Last edit: Aug 2002, Erowid.org. Added English Measurement Note to dosage table.<br/><br/>
119</center>
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126<a href="dxm_general_info.shtml">[ Previous Section ]</a>
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130
131
132This section discusses some of the effects you might expect to
133feel if you were to use DXM recreationally (which I recommend
134against, of course). The effects listed are generally positive,
135and reflect the results of people who have positive experiences
136with DXM.<br/><br/>
137
138<b>Some people have negative experiences with DXM!</b> For these
139people, the DXM "trip" may just be several hours of dizziness,
140nausea, hot flashes, and confusion, with several days of hangover.
141This is the main reason why most DXM users suggest starting with a
142first plateau dose.
143
144<hr size="4"/>
145<br/><br/><center><a name="toc.5.1"><h2>5.1 What is the General Character of the DXM Experience?</h2></a></center><br/><br/><br/>
146
147This is a difficult question to answer, because DXM's effects
148tend to vary widely depending on the person, their set and setting,
149other drugs, their physiology, and so on. DXM, probably more
150than most drugs, tends to exert its (recreational) effects in
151separate stages or "plateaus", rather than being linearly
152dose-dependent. Within a given plateau, a given set of effects will
153occur (at a roughly dose-dependent strength). On the other hand,
154once the next plateau is reached, the feeling may change entirely.
155A reasonable analogy is water - it exists in three states (solid,
156liquid, and gas) which all can exist at varying temperatures (e.g.,
157hot water and cold water), but which have different characteristics.
158<br/><br/>
159DXM and its metabolite, dextrorphan (DXO), produce
160different sets of effects. Normally, DXM is converted mostly
161or entirely into DXO, but with recreational doses, the conversion
162enzyme (P450-2D6) may saturate, leaving a mixture of DXM and DXO.
163Furthermore, another of DXM's metabolites - 3-methoxymorphinan
164- can also block this enzyme, so that taking divided doses leads
165to more DXM and less DXO than taking a combined dose of the same
166amount.
167<br/><br/>
168DXM's effects are in some ways much more subtle than DXO's. Whereas
169DXO produces a heavy "stoning" or intoxicating effect, DXM by itself
170is only lightly intoxicating. DXM, however, can alter the thought
171processes, leading to highly abnormal, psychosis-like mental states. It
172is possible that DXM, via sigma activation, may induce a mental
173state similar to that of schizophrenia. Whether or not this is
174fun to you is, of course, up to you.
175<br/><br/>
176DXM seems to exhibit at least four definable plateaus based solely
177on dosage, and an additional plateau is notable from a specific
178dosing regimen (see below, <a href="dxm_experience.shtml#toc.5.9">Section 5.9</a>). I previously
179listed three plateaus; then four; now I'm listing five (although
180"Plateau Sigma" doesn't occur at dosages higher than the fourth
181plateau). Evidently, dosages above the fourth plateau lead to
182full anaesthesia, psychosis, coma, and/or death.
183<br/><br/>
184Not everyone notes distinction between the first and second plateaus,
185or between the third and fourth plateaus. Others suggest that each
186effect of DXM has a dosage level at which it starts, and (in some
187cases) a dosage level at which its effects are no longer noticeable
188(being overpowered by other effects). Some people will
189disagree with this classification method, but I think this is the
190best way to represent DXM's effects. Both the third and fourth
191plateaus have significant dissociative characteristics, much like
192ketamine.
193<br/><br/>
194The most important thing to keep in mind is that the effects in
195different plateaus are often very different. For example, on the
196first plateau, DXM tends to have a stimulant effect. Upon reaching
197the second plateau, however, the stimulant effect may no longer be
198present.
199<br/><br/>
200The beginning of the comedown off of a DXM trip can come abruptly.
201Often, the user will know when it's starting to end by noticing
202the return of normal sensory processing. Coming down from there
203may take a significant amount of time. A second DXM trip too
204soon after coming down is not a good idea due to the potential for
205side effects and psychotic episodes (<a href="dxm_refs.shtml#r227">227</a>). Wait at least three
206days and preferrably two weeks between each DXM trip.
207<br/><br/>
208The following table can be used as a general guideline for the
209plateaus.
210For convenience I give example dosages in gelcaps and 3 mg/ml
211syrup for 75 kg and 150 lb adults; adjust up or down by the amounts
212indicated per 10 kg or 25 lb. Calculating with the mg/kg is more
213accurate, but it's easy to make mistakes when using non-metric
214measures. <b>These dosages are as DXM hydrobromide</b>.
215<br/><br/>
216Dosage will vary considerably from person to person, by as much
217as 5 times! Also, these mg/kg figures should evidently be adjusted
218down for higher mass (e.g., maybe 6 mg/kg to 13 mg/kg third plateau
219for a 150 kg adult). Note that kg = pounds * 0.45.
220<br/><br/>
221I have included a new category in this table: "Usenet Suggestions".
222This is a combination of suggested dosage guidelines from Usenet,
223and may more accurately represent the plateau dosage of DXM in
224regular users (the original plateau levels were based mostly on
225occasional users).
226
227<br/><br/><br/>
228
229<table BORDER>
230 <CAPTION>Table 1: DXM Plateaus and Dosages</CAPTION>
231 <tr><th>Plateau <th>First <th>Second
232 <th>Third <th>Fourth
233 <tr><th>Dosage Range (mg/kg)<td>1.5-2.5 mg/kg <td>2.5-7.5 mg/kg
234 <td>7.5-15 mg/kg <td>>15 mg/kg
235 <tr><th>Usenet Suggestions (mg/kg)<td>2.7 mg/kg <td>6.4 mg/kg
236 <td>9.4 mg/kg <td>18 mg/kg
237 <tr><th>Gelcaps (30 mg) for 75 kg adult
238 <td>4 to 6 gelcaps <td>6 to 18 gelcaps
239 <td>18 to 37 gelcaps<td>>37 gelcaps
240 <tr><th>Adjust per 10 kg <td>1/2 to 1 gelcap <td>1 to 2.5 gelcaps
241 <td>2.5 to 5 gelcaps<td>5 gelcaps
242 <tr><th>Gelcaps (30 mg) for 150 lb adult
243 <td>3 to 5 gelcaps <td>5 to 17 gelcaps
244 <td>17 to 34 gelcaps<td>>34 gelcaps
245 <tr><th>Adjust per 25 lb <td>1/2 to 1 gelcaps<td>1 to 2.5 gelcaps
246 <td>2.5 to 5.5 gelcaps<td>5.5 gelcaps
247 <tr><th>Syrup (3 mg/ml) for 75 kg adult
248 <td>37 to 62 ml <td>62 to 187 ml
249 <td>187 to 375 ml <td>>375 ml
250 <tr><th>Adjust per 10 kg <td>5 to 8 ml <td>8 to 25 ml
251 <td>25 to 50 ml <td>50 ml
252 <tr><th>Syrup (3 mg/ml) for 150 lb adult
253 <td>2 tbsp to 2 oz (1/4 cup)
254 <td>2 oz to 5.5 oz (2/3 cup)
255 <td>5.5 oz to 11 oz (1 1/3 cup)
256 <td>>11oz
257 <tr><th>Adjust per 25 lb <td>1 tsp to 2 tsp
258 <td>2 tsp to 1 oz (1/8 cup)
259 <td>2 tbsp to 2oz (1/4 cup)
260 <td>2 oz
261<tr><th>English Measurement Conversion</th><td d colspan = 5>1 cup = 8 oz = 16 tablepoon (tbsp) = 48 teaspoon (tsp)</td></tr>
262</table>
263
264<br/><br/>
265The specific effects at each plateau will be listed according
266to the following categories: <i>Sensory, Cognitive/Emotional,
267Motor,</i> and <i>Memory.</i> Additionally, the lower two
268plateaus are considered together, as are the upper two plateaus.
269
270
271<br/><br/><br/>
272<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/>
273<hr size="4"/>
274<br/><br/><br/>
275<br/><br/><br/><center><a name="toc.5.2"><h2>5.2 Overview of the Lower Plateaus</h2></a></center><br/><br/><br/>
276
277The four dosage plateaus can be divided into two groups based on a
278certain degree of similarity: the lower plateaus and the upper
279plateaus. The lower two plateaus share many features and some of
280these will be considered here. A generalization would be that the
281lower two plateaus are more "recreational" than the upper plateaus.
282Specifically, they have considerably less hangover, do not generally
283involve serious disruption or breakdown of sensory processing, and
284are more similar to other intoxicants.
285<br/><br/>
286DXM in the lower two plateaus has been compared to a cross between
287MDA and alcohol. It tends to intensify emotional responses and
288feelings of meaning from external events. At the lower plateaus
289there is usually enough motor control to be able to engage
290in physical activites (although, like MDMA and MDA there are reasons
291why you may not want to, including dehydration and overheating).
292<br/><br/>
293Most find sensory input is still understandable, although there
294are peculiar changes which will be discussed below (notably flanging).
295At the lower plateaus it is still possible to interact extensively
296with the outside world, and one can watch and follow reasonably
297complex plots in movies, and have complex conversations.
298<br/><br/>
299Although DXM is in many ways not a good "casual" drug most people have
300used it without adverse effect at the lower plateaus. Interestingly,
301many people who have use DXM at the upper plateaus eventually find
302that the lower plateaus no longer offer much enjoyment. There are a
303lot of potential reasons for this (see <a href="dxm_most.shtml#toc.7.6">Section 7.6</a>); I think
304most of it is simply that DXM at the upper plateaus changes one's
305expectations about its effects and gives one familiarity with its
306memory inhibition.
307
308
309<br/><br/><br/>
310<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/>
311<hr size="4"/>
312<br/><br/><br/>
313<br/><br/><br/><center><a name="toc.5.3"><h2>5.3 The First Plateau</h2></a></center><br/><br/><br/>
314
315The first plateau generally occurs around 1.5 to 2.5 mg/kg (some
316net users suggest 2.7 mg/kg as ideal for regular users), but this may
317vary enormously depending on metabolism and other factors. The first
318plateau is probably the hardest to hit; many people "overshoot" it.
319Please keep in mind that these effects listed are general effects,
320and that individual results may vary considerably.
321<br/><br/>
322A general narrative of the first plateau can be constructed. At
323about 30 minutes to 1 hour after dosing, an "alert" sensation is
324noticeable; this is simply a feeling that is unique for individual
325and signals the begin of altered consciousness. The experience has only
326a vaguely "drug-like" character for about 10 minutes, after which
327restlessness
328and slight stimulant effect are noticeable. After another 10 minutes
329or so, movement and position sense are altered; those with motion sickness
330begin to notice nausea. Gravity starts to feel weird, and one may
331bounce around a lot. Emotions may start to become intensified. There
332is a slight feeling of dissociation from reality, but overall the
333experience is slightly intoxicating, with intensified emotions and sense
334of importance from everyday events. This effect peaks and then slowly
335subsides until it is unnoticeable.
336<br/><br/>
337A first plateau trip usually
338takes between 20 and 40 minutes to start (on an empty stomach),
339peaks about 1.5 to 2 hours later, and lasts between 4 and 6 hours.
340 Gel capsules take up to 1 hour additional to dissolve. Hangovers
341are very rare from this plateau, but if they do occur, they tend
342to consist mainly of lethargy.
343<br/><br/>
344The primary effects of the first plateau are general euphoria,
345euphoria specifically linked to music and motion, slight disturbances
346in balance, moderate stimulation, and very slight intoxication.
347The intoxication and balance disturbances are similar to that
348induced by alcohol, but much weaker and without the mental confusion;
349there is little if any mental sluggishness or confusion with a
350first plateau trip.
351<br/><br/>
352Some people have difficulty
353hitting the first plateau. It can take several trials; as a general
354guideline, if you notice double vision, you've gone way too far.
355A lot of the more pleasurable first plateau effects, in particular
356the music euphoria, are set and setting dependent. Being in good
357physical condition, avoiding excessive caffeine, and being in
358a good mood are all important factors in achieving a good first
359plateau dose.
360<br/><br/>
361Positive first plateau experiences are one of the first to go with
362regular use. Part of this seems to be tolerance (which builds
363quickly and lasts for considerable time). Another part seems to be
364a familiarity with the first plateau experience; after awhile it no longer
365seems quite so profound or interesting. Some have suggested changing
366set and setting as a way of regaining the more interesting aspects of
367the first plateau.
368
369
370<br/><br/><br/>
371<br/><br/><br/>
372<hr size="2"/>
373<br/><br/><br/>
374<br/><br/><br/><center><a name="toc.5.3.1"><h3>5.3.1 Sensory Effects</h3></a></center><br/><br/><br/>
375
376Most of the effects of the first plateau relate to the senses.
377The best known, and probably the most responsible for first plateau
378use of DXM, is the effect upon hearing (specifically upon music).
379Sounds may seem "richer" or "deeper", and music in particular
380is affected (the difference between listening to music on DXM
381versus sober has been compared to the difference between music
382in a concert hall versus on a cheap radio). In addition to the
383change in the nature of hearing itself, music can bring a sense
384of euphoria, often quite intense. In comparison to the positive
385effects on music reported by some users of cannabis, the DXM music
386effect is usually characterized as much "speedier".
387<br/><br/>
388The type of music with which this effect most strongly occurs
389will tend to vary from person to person. Rave music is one of
390the most commonly affected, possibly due to the regular beat (at
391higher plateaus especially, much of DXM's sensory effects seem
392beat or rhythm related). Classical and Celtic/folk also seems
393to be popular. Really, though, the strongest indicator of personal
394response to a given piece of music seems to be 1) that the user
395enjoys it, and 2) that it has an "intense" or thematic
396quality.
397<br/><br/>
398Not everyone notices this effect. Some notice the opposite --
399DXM makes music seem less impacting, and bass tends to be attenuated,
400leaving everything sounding "tinny" and distant. There does not
401seem to be any factor predicting whether DXM will improve or degrade
402the musical experience.
403<br/><br/>
404Visual effects are not particularly strong at this plateau. If
405present, they usually consist of motion trails
406(as if afterimages of each "frame" of vision were not
407clearing quickly enough). There may be some deterioration of
408stereoscopic vision (and thus depth perception). Colors may seem
409slightly more vivid. Some have remarked that peripheral vision
410seems to be degraded.
411<br/><br/>
412Taste and touch do not seem to be appreciably affected, although some
413users have reported that taste is enhanced and mildly euphoria-linked.
414Others have reported the same effect for touch. The sense of smell,
415on the other hand, is improved for some; in fact, some find scents so
416overpowering that they cannot remain around scented items.
417<br/><br/>
418Balance and body position sense can be significantly affected,
419ranging from a mild disturbance (some call it "sea legs")
420to a near total loss of position and balance sense (generally
421this only happens on upper plateaus). The changes seem to relate
422to an anesthesia of the body senses in particular. The effect
423(like the other sensory DXM effects) can be euphoric; some users
424like to roll around, do cartwheels, dance, march, whatever. People who
425are very susceptible to motion sickness seem to report nausea, but most
426do not. Overall some have described these effects as like free-fall.
427
428
429<br/><br/><br/>
430<br/><br/><br/>
431<hr size="2"/>
432<br/><br/><br/>
433<br/><br/><br/><center><a name="toc.5.3.2"><h3>5.3.2 Cognitive/Emotional Effects</h3></a></center><br/><br/><br/>
434
435Even though DXM has a slight "stoning" or intoxicating
436effect on the first plateau, there are surprisingly few deficits
437of cognitive function. Language
438is the most strongly affected, although these effects are usually
439limited to occasional word and syllable repetition (especially
440in already-repeated syllables, e.g., "banana" to "banananana"),
441spoonerism (e.g., "share boulders" instead of "bare
442shoulders"), and difficulty coming up with specific words (the
443"Tip of the Tongue" phenomenon).
444<br/><br/>
445Some users report that they feel more creative
446and capable of non-linear thought on DXM, and this seems to be
447maximized on the first and second plateaus. Whether this is,
448in fact, true, or just seems true because of the drug, I have
449no idea; to my knowledge there are no studies on this. Another
450cognitive characteristic that occasionally occurs at the first
451plateau (but more commonly at the second) is that things can seem
452much more interesting, or at least much less dull and boring,
453than they usually are. There may be an overall increase in approach-related
454behavior.
455<br/><br/>
456Many DXM users report a moderate to strong stimulant
457effect at the first plateau, which disappears at higher dosages.
458 This seems to be enhanced by caffeine.
459 One user reported being able to stay up for 48 hours by maintaining
460a first plateau level. (Note that I don't recommend this).
461<br/><br/>
462Another characteristic of first (and second) plateau trips is
463a lowering of inhibitions related to conversation (and to a lesser
464degree to behaviour). Many people find they can discuss painful or
465embarrassing topics without difficulty. This is usually described
466as a very positive effect, and those who have experienced it often
467state that they feel more comfortable with themselves after the
468trip. Some have reported a strengthening of friendships due to
469this effect. It's interesting that as the third plateau is approached,
470recall and discussion of such topics seems to become more and
471more "mandatory".
472<br/><br/>
473A few people seem to have problems identifying abnormal behaviour,
474and some have gotten themselves into awkward social situations by
475saying (or, rarely, doing) exactly what they mean. Dissociatives
476do seem to inhibit the ability to unconsciously recognize and act
477based upon social constructs. My personal feeling based on some
478observation is that if you are consciously aware of your
479behaviour you are not likely to have problems; it is those who act
480primarily out of instinctual adherence to social rules that tend to
481behave somewhat bizarrely.
482<br/><br/>
483Mood enhancement is the most regular emotional effect of the first
484plateau; many people find themselves fairly bouncy and happy,
485occasionally euphoric. Unlike many drugs, there is not usually
486much "let-down" when the trip ends. Fear
487is rare at the first plateau. There may be a sense of energy
488or drive.
489<br/><br/>
490The effects upon libido
491evidently tend to vary from person to person. Some people report
492an increase in sex drive; others find that playing, physical contact,
493music, etc., seem much more interesting and enjoyable than sex.
494 The effects on sexual performance itself are not very strong
495at the first plateau, though males may have some difficulty in
496achieving orgasm. When orgasm does occur, it is often accompanied
497by extreme muscle tension and profuse sweating. <b>Note that
498there may be problems with hypertension from sex on DXM</b>.
499
500
501<br/><br/><br/>
502<br/><br/><br/>
503<hr size="2"/>
504<br/><br/><br/>
505<br/><br/><br/><center><a name="toc.5.3.3"><h3>5.3.3 Motor Effects</h3></a></center><br/><br/><br/>
506
507Another identifying characteristic of a first plateau DXM trip is its
508effect upon motion and motor skills. Users tend to walk and move
509in specific ways (varying somewhat from person to person) characterized
510by large, fluid movements. In
511fact, it may be difficult to perform small or abrupt motion.
512Motor tasks initiated may continue beyond their targets (this
513can range from fun to distracting). To an outside observer, this
514can seem quite strange, especially the changes in gait. It is
515possible, however, to move normally.
516<br/><br/>
517These changes may be related to euphoria-
518linking of body kinetic sense (see Sensory Effects, above) which
519would make large and sweeping motions more enjoyable. It is also
520possible that something more directly involved in the planning
521and carrying out of complex motor tasks may be at work, and that
522the euphoria is simply a general phenomenon which is not directly
523connected to the alterations in motor skills. Some have suggested
524that impaired processing of vestibular signals (i.e., those from
525the middle ear which relay position and motion information) may
526be involved. Activity of DXM in the cerebellum may also contribute.
527
528
529<br/><br/><br/>
530<br/><br/><br/>
531<hr size="2"/>
532<br/><br/><br/>
533<br/><br/><br/><center><a name="toc.5.3.4"><h3>5.3.4 Memory Effects</h3></a></center><br/><br/><br/>
534
535The memory effects of a first plateau trip are slight but usually
536noticeable. Most of the effects probably come from a general
537deterioration of short-term memory. Working memory (the "train of thought")
538can become stuck in repetitive thoughts; other times it can be
539very easy to become distracted. Recall of events prior to the
540trip does not seem to be degraded. Encoding (i.e., making new
541memories) may be worsened, so that after the trip there is some
542difficulty in recalling events during the trip. Also probably
543because of the deterioration of short-term memory, it may be easy
544to lose track of time.<br/><br/>
545
546[erowid note: The sections on memory discuss only memory effects during
547the acute effects of DXM ingestion and are not describing any
548lasting aftereffects.]<br/>
549
550
551<br/><br/>
552<hr size="4"/>
553<br/><br/>
554<br/><br/><br/><center><a name="toc.5.4"><h2>5.4 The Second Plateau</h2></a></center><br/><br/><br/>
555
556With the second plateau (around 2.5-7.5 mg/kg, 6.4 mg/kg suggested
557from regular users)
558several new effects become evident. The most profound is that
559DXM begins to take on a heavier "stoning" characteristic,
560and senses and cognitive function are affected accordingly. Closed-eye
561hallucinations start for some people on the second plateau. Some of the
562first plateau effects, e.g., the music and motion
563linked euphoria, may diminish or stop entirely.
564<br/><br/>
565Second plateau trips usually
566take between 30 and 60 minutes to start (on an empty stomach),
567peak about 2 to 3 hours later, and last about 6 hours. Again,
568gel capsules take up to 1 hour additional to dissolve. Hangovers
569are not common with lower second plateau trips, but some people
570experience them.
571<br/><br/>
572A general narrative of the second plateau: The trip beings identically
573to the first plateau trip, although the alert and early effects may
574be noticed earlier. After passing to the music and motion euphoria
575stage, the first plateau sensations begin to be overshadowed by
576disruptions in sensory processing, as sensory input begins to get
577"choppy". Both sight and sound take on a dreamlike characteristic
578and one begins to feel increasingly detatched from the outside world.
579There may be bursts of sensory deprivation where the outside world
580seems to go away, but overall one maintains contact (somewhat
581incoherent) with the outside world. After a few hours of an overall
582"stoned" feeling, the sensations begin to subside. A slight hangover
583consisting of lethargy may be noted the next day.
584
585
586<br/><br/><br/>
587<br/><br/><br/>
588<hr size="2"/>
589<br/><br/><br/>
590<br/><br/><br/><center><a name="toc.5.4.1"><h3>5.4.1 Sensory Effects</h3></a></center><br/><br/><br/>
591
592The most general sensory effect of the second plateau is "flanging".
593Flanging, also called phlanging,
594phasing, stop-action, framing, strobing, etc., is the sensation
595that continuous sensory input has been chopped up into frames
596(as if you were watching a badly animated cartoon), often with
597some echo effect of each frame. There does not seem to be any
598loss of sensory content; instead, it is as if the ability to keep
599sensory input time-continuous were disturbed. The best analogy
600from other drugs may be the effects of nitrous oxide
601upon sound. The best analogy from non-drug experiences is listening
602to a voice through an echo/delay effects box (which is where the
603term "flanging" comes from).
604<br/><br/>
605An interesting and probably associated sensory phenomenon is that
606it seems as if one is aware of several temporal stages of sensory
607processing all at once. In other words, a sentence may be heard
608not sound for sound or word for word, but all at once (this is
609difficult to describe). Similarly, visual images may be jumbled
610together with previous images. This may be due to an excessive
611persistence of sensory buffering.
612<br/><br/>
613Vision in particular is changed on this plateau. Depth perception
614is often lost, and the ability to keep both eyes focused on the
615same thing is diminished (leading to slight double vision). This
616is most noticeable in people without a dominant eye.
617<br/><br/>
618Sound, as already mentioned, tends to be flanged. With the sense
619of touch, there is not necessarily flanging so much as a noticeable
620delay between the stimulus and recognition of it. Pain especially
621tends to be somewhat dissociated. Taste is usually simply dulled.
622Many people report a vastly improved sense of smell though some
623report that it is dulled as well.
624<br/><br/>
625The sense of balance is severely disrupted, as is body
626position and kinetic sense. Keep in mind that dissociation of
627pain and the disruption of body sense together make physical exertion
628somewhat risky, as it is possible to over-exert and not notice.
629<br/><br/>
630Closed-eye hallucinations tend to begin at the second
631plateau (and in fact are the reason I distinguish this from the
632first plateau). Usually these are not "true" hallucinations,
633but instead are considerable enhancement of imagination, up to
634fully eidetic imagery (i.e., you experience
635lucidly what you imagine). This is especially powerful with memories;
636some users are able to re-experience past events, or "simulate"
637future events, as if actually there, interacting with the environment
638(I call this the "Holodeck Effect").
639Many users report this to be quite useful for introspection.
640<br/><br/>
641Actual hallucinations, if they do exist, tend to be abstract and
642cartoon-like. There seems to be an emphasis on linear structures
643- long, thin lines, or long queues of simple objects. There may
644also be Lilliputian hallucinations
645(everything seems either way too big or way too small, or both).
646Some people find considerable similarity with fever hallucinations;
647this can be unpleasant.
648<br/><br/>
649Your experiences throughout the day will influence the hallucinations
650you see and the imagery you can create. For example, if you have
651spent the day playing DOOM<SUP><font size="-2">TM</font></SUP>, your hallucinations are likely
652to involve scenes and elements from the game. Eidetic imagery
653works a little different - you can conjure up images, but they
654are likely to have a "DOOM<SUP><font size="-2">TM</font></SUP>-esque" feel to them
655(bitmapped textures, ugly walls, etc.). This is an interesting
656effect, and my hunch is that DXM hallucinations and imagery may
657be very dependent upon what's already stored in intermediate term memory.
658So it might be worth planning the events of the day with your
659trip objectives in mind. This may also be possible to some extent
660during the trip itself; e.g., if you want to imagine yourself
661in space, go to a planetarium.
662
663
664<br/><br/><br/>
665<br/><br/><br/>
666<hr size="2"/>
667<br/><br/><br/>
668<br/><br/><br/><center><a name="toc.5.4.2"><h3>5.4.2 Cognitive/Emotional Effects</h3></a></center><br/><br/><br/>
669
670Higher reasoning is still not appreciably affected at the second
671plateau; in fact one of the more interesting aspects of DXM at
672the first and second plateau may be its ability to disturb one
673function of the mind while leaving another almost untouched. On
674the other hand the content of one's thoughts may become increasingly
675abstract as the outside world is ignored.
676<br/><br/>
677An interesting cognitive effect that is pronounced at the upper
678second through the third plateau is a change in self-referential
679thinking. Self-referential thoughts or ideas (e.g., "this statement
680is false") may seem both more understandable and more profound, both
681in the abstract and on a "gut level". Thoughts can,
682in fact, get quite abstract, sometimes to the point of seeming
683meaningless to other observers. Quite a few people have reported
684some sort of self-referential or abstracting aspect to thoughts,
685such as a "self-creating and self-invoking meme" that
686consists of the concept of itself. Another example is abstracting
687the concept of abstraction (and abstracting that, and so on and
688so on). There may be an overall blurring together of cause and
689effect, and causality may become an alien concept (I've spoken to
690more than one quantum physics student who enjoyed DXM).
691<br/><br/>
692Language becomes difficult, partly due to cognitive changes (as
693in the first plateau), and partly due to difficulty in coordinating
694the mouth and tongue motions. There may also be a direct effect
695on the language-producing centers of the brain. Interpreting spoken
696language is difficult due to sensory flanging. However, thinking
697in language is still fairly easy.
698<br/><br/>
699The curious detachment
700from painful or embarrassing topics of conversation that occurs
701at the first plateau continues and is much stronger at this plateau.
702 Again, this is generally viewed as a positive event, although
703if you're not prepared to encounter and possibly discuss your
704deepest, darkest secrets, you might want to avoid higher doses
705until you're comfortable with DXM.
706<br/><br/>
707Another major defining characteristic of the second plateau (as well as
708closed-eye hallucinations and flanging) may be the motivational
709aspect. Repetitive, mundane, boring tasks suddenly become doable,
710and (if one can avoid distraction) may be easily accomplished,
711even if they take hours. There may be a considerable behavioural
712stimulant effect remaining at the second plateau without other
713feelings characteristic of stimulants. The euphoria
714from the first plateau continues but diminishes as dosage across
715the second plateau increases.
716
717
718<br/><br/><br/>
719<br/><br/><br/>
720<hr size="2"/>
721<br/><br/><br/>
722<br/><br/><br/><center><a name="toc.5.4.3"><h3>5.4.3 Motor Effects</h3></a></center><br/><br/><br/>
723
724The first-plateau effects on motor skills continue to exist, and
725may be considerably stronger. Some users find themselves contorting
726their limbs into rigid positions (and in some cases with general
727muscle rigidity), others
728may extend and stretch themselves. These effects are not always
729immediately apparent; when they are, the user usually reports
730that it just "feels right" to be in that position. It
731is still possible to override this.
732<br/><br/>
733Another accentuation of first-plateau motion effects that sometimes
734occurs is that the large, sweeping motions, once initiated, may
735continue for considerable time (looking somewhat like a cross
736between modern dance and Huntington's disease). Again, it just
737"feels right" to do.
738
739
740<br/><br/><br/>
741<br/><br/><br/>
742<hr size="2"/>
743<br/><br/><br/>
744<br/><br/><br/><center><a name="toc.5.4.4"><h3>5.4.4 Memory Effects</h3></a></center><br/><br/><br/>
745
746Intermediate-term memory and working
747memory may be severely disturbed, although experience with DXM
748seems to help people compensate. Possibly because of the changes
749in memory, it may be very difficult to get bored, even with repetitive
750tasks. At this plateau, a lot of time may get lost, and the more
751mundane aspects of the trip are easily forgotten after it is over.
752
753
754<br/><br/><br/>
755<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/>
756<hr size="4"/>
757<br/><br/><br/>
758<br/><br/><br/><center><a name="toc.5.5"><h2>5.5 The Transitional Phase</h2></a></center><br/><br/><br/>
759
760Between the second and third plateaus lies a transitional phase. Not
761everyone experiences it; it seems that about 70% of DXM users have
762reported at least one aspect of it. In some senses it seems to be
763"programmed", in that the content of the experience, although varying
764from individual to individual, does not change much from one trip to
765another.
766<br/><br/>
767Overall these experiences are probably the crossing of a
768threshold in dissociation. The hypothesis is this (although it is by
769no means proven). Generally speaking, sensory input competes with
770"feedback" input from the brain (you've probably noticed this from
771being deep in thought and not noticing what is going on around you).
772As sensory input becomes sufficiently inhibited, networks where
773sensory and feedback information are combined and reconciled begin to
774gain a larger and larger proportion of their input from internal
775feedback sources. Eventually, there is enough attenuation of
776sensory input (and probably intermediate-term memory as well) that the
777feedback loop becomes "free-running", leading to internal states
778(or models, if you prefer) that are increasingly detatched from the
779outside world.
780<br/><br/>
781During this time, people generally report that they can experience
782the process or they can discuss, relate, write about it; it does
783not seem possible to experience it while attempting to maintain
784contact with the body in any way. Unfortunately, memory of the
785experience is often impaired, so one gets the feeling of having
786taken an incredible ride without remembering it. Fortunately,
787the threshold experience may repeat itself throughout upper plateau
788trips (see <a href="dxm_paranormal.shtml#toc.8.2.1">Section 8.2.1</a>).
789<br/><br/>
790If you want a very rough model for the threshold experience, get
791a video camera and a television, and feed the output of the camera
792into the TV. Point the video camera at the TV, turn on the date
793display on the camera (to provide some sort of "sensory input"),
794and turn the brightness down on the TV. Adjust the zoom on the camera
795to roughly include the entire TV screen. You will notice one or two
796copies of the date/time digits appearing, but overall the picture still
797looks like a video of a TV screen inside a screen (or two).
798<br/><br/>
799As you increase the brightness on the TV, however, something interesting
800begins to happen. Eventually, the feedback becomes self-sustaining,
801and you can get extremely complex, self-reinforcing patterns which
802take hold and maintain themselves. The entire picture begins to turn
803into abstract blobs and colors. As you adjust the zoom, you will find
804a stable point where you can wave your hand in front of the screen and
805the effects of this "sensory input" will ripple through the system,
806mutating constantly but never really leaving. This also makes a
807fascinating trip toy, by the way.
808<br/><br/>
809Overall there are some common features to most people's threshold
810experiences. The first is a sensation that has been described as
811the opening of nasal passages, being full of helium, losing one's body,
812or having one's heart stop beating. The actual effect is most likely
813a sudden cutoff of sensory input from
814within the body - everything from all the little aches and pains
815to the awareness of one's own heartbeat go away. This can be
816very disturbing if a naive user interprets it as heart failure!
817<br/><br/>
818The second transitional effect is a temporary loss of all sensory
819input (this does not always occur), as if one were in a sensory
820deprivation tank. This is often accompanied by severe Lilliputian
821hallucinations, probably because
822there is no internal size reference (since the rest of the universe
823has just gone away). One person reported feeling as if he shrunk
824down to the size of a proton, and the rest of the world were light-years
825away.
826<br/><br/>
827This transitional phase often repeats itself between the third and
828the fourth plateaus.
829
830
831<br/><br/><br/>
832<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/>
833<hr size="4"/>
834<br/><br/><br/>
835<br/><br/><br/><center><a name="toc.5.6"><h2>5.6 The Upper Plateaus</h2></a></center><br/><br/><br/>
836
837The upper plateaus are considerably less "recreational" than the
838lower plateaus, and are more introspective, spiritual, and shamanic.
839Most people who use DXM for psychonautical exploration or spiritual
840work do so at the upper plateaus. The upper plateaus generally take
841more out of the user, with more frequent hangovers and moments of
842dysphoria.
843<br/><br/>
844Unlike the lower plateaus, most upper plateau experiences do not
845lend themselves to moving around much. Most people find it better to
846find someplace comfortable and stay there. Trying to move too much
847can induce nausea in some people.
848
849
850<br/><br/><br/>
851<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/>
852<hr size="4"/>
853<br/><br/><br/>
854<br/><br/><br/><center><a name="toc.5.7"><h2>5.7 The Third Plateau</h2></a></center><br/><br/><br/>
855
856The effects at the third plateau itself tend to be very intense,
857and often very different from earlier plateaus.
858Keep in mind that a third plateau trip can be terrifying to people
859who are not psychologically comfortable and prepared. Because the
860third plateau is so individually variant, I don't feel comfortable
861in trying to come up with a narrative.
862
863
864<br/><br/><br/>
865<br/><br/><br/>
866<hr size="2"/>
867<br/><br/><br/>
868<br/><br/><br/><center><a name="toc.5.7.1"><h3>5.7.1 Sensory Effects</h3></a></center><br/><br/><br/>
869
870The flanging of visual effects, coupled with the loss of stereoscopic vision,
871becomes so strong that the brain seems to completely give up trying
872to process vision, leading to a sort of "chaotic blindness".
873 Simple images (e.g., a candle flame) are still recognizable,
874although given the loss of stereoscopic vision one tends to see
875two of everything. More complex images, especially images that
876are not sharply defined, are difficult if not impossible to recognize.
877 Vision, when possible, has a very dream-like quality to it.
878<br/><br/>
879Simple sounds are still understandable, and one can usually comprehend
880language, although it may be necessary for the speaker to phrase it in a
881complex rhythm (see <a href="dxm_experience.shtml#toc.5.7.2">Section 5.7.2</a>). Music
882euphoria is rare. Touch and taste are subject to considerable
883anesthesia, and pain especially may be completely
884dissociated (it's still there, it just doesn't seem to apply).
885Body position, kinetic, and balance senses are similarly disrupted.
886<br/><br/>
887Some people continue to report an enhanced sense of smell on
888the third plateau; in a few people almost all smells are overpowering,
889and subtle elements of scents may be recognizable. This can affect
890taste, and ordinary foods or drinks can take on peculiar tastes as
891previously unknown odors are noticed. Even the type of container can
892affect the smell, with faint scents from paper cups, plastic, and even
893metal noticeable.
894<br/><br/>
895Hallucinations
896may continue, although they tend to be more abstract and "pre-sensory"
897rather than being predominantly visual. Oftentimes there is an
898overall sensation of being surrounded by "grey-ness",
899which brightens to white light as the dosage increases. There do seem
900to be more frequent moments of "virtual world" experiences, where one
901can construct an imaginary sensorium with the eyes closed.
902<br/><br/>
903At the third plateau, the flanging of sensory input occurs both
904on a raw level (sounds, images) and on higher levels (words, phrases,
905faces, etc.) This is, to my knowledge, unique to DXM. Flanging
906may slow down and speed up, leading to periods of lucidity alternating
907with periods of semi-consciousness.
908
909
910<br/><br/><br/>
911<br/><br/><br/>
912<hr size="2"/>
913<br/><br/><br/>
914<br/><br/><br/><center><a name="toc.5.7.2"><h3>5.7.2 Cognitive/Emotional Effects</h3></a></center><br/><br/><br/>
915
916Cognitive function becomes severely disrupted at the third plateau.
917Complex tasks, such as arithmetic, may be very difficult (though
918some report little or no difficulty with simple skills). Reaction
919time is significantly delayed. Decision-making is somewhat degraded,
920although conceptual thought is less affected than concrete thought.
921Generally speaking, mental tasks which do not require changing context
922are far less impaired than tasks which require one to change one's
923decision-making approach.
924<br/><br/>
925Those who study this sort of thing will be
926interested to know that I have done some preliminary tests which show
927impaired results on the "Brain Warp" toy in "combo" mode (which is a
928basically a simplified Wisconsin Card Sort for kids). This probably
929indicates impaired prefrontal lobe function, a hypothesis supported
930by some research (<a href="dxm_refs.shtml#r226">226</a>,<a href="dxm_refs.shtml#r326">326</a>).
931<br/><br/>
932Language changes can be quite
933significant. Sentences may stretch on and on, or alternately be
934very terse (I call this the "Hemingway Effect").
935 Words, syllables, and phrases are commonly repeated. This may
936be related to problems with working and short-term memory. Speech
937may occur in a very rigid (but not necessarily simple) rhythm,
938and the user may not respond to speech unless it is in a similar
939rhythm.
940<br/><br/>
941The normal "chatter" that goes on inside everyone's
942brain tends to slow down or stop at this plateau, leaving a feeling
943of mental peace and quiet. One person reported this as "it
944felt like the top of my skull was opened into a clear blue sky".
945<br/><br/>
946Mood can range from absolute mania to panic. Many
947people have independently reported feeling as if they were dying,
948with some sense of fear, although some people do not seem to associate
949fear with this. Some people report a great increase in approach
950behavior, as if every event and object were a new experience;
951others find irrational fears occurring (possibly due to body load).
952<br/><br/>
953Panic attacks have occurred at the third plateau.
954This can be a scary experience, especially if one finds one's
955heart rate skyrocketing due to the panic attack and doesn't know
956why. The best way to cope with this is to try and calm down,
957much the same as one would with a bad trip on any other hallucinogen.
958<br/><br/>
959DXM on the third plateau has a very "shamanic" feel
960to it. Part of this is due to the sense of rebirth, part from
961the recall of suppressed and/or partially forgotten memories (some
962similar effects which I formerly placed on the third plateau (e.g.,
963feelings of contact with other beings) I now place on the fourth
964plateau as they tend to occur at substantially different dosage
965levels). Complete annihilation of self
966can occasionally occur (rarely up to the point of forgetting one's
967identity, but more commonly just psychedelic ego-annihilation).
968<br/><br/>
969Note that, to sober observers, the effects of a third plateau
970trip can seem very unusual and unpleasant (often much more than
971to the person tripping).
972
973
974<br/><br/><br/>
975<br/><br/><br/>
976<hr size="2"/>
977<br/><br/><br/>
978<br/><br/><br/><center><a name="toc.5.7.3"><h3>5.7.3 Motor Effects</h3></a></center><br/><br/><br/>
979
980At the third plateau it may be impossible to perform coordinated
981movements. The large, sweeping motions of the first and second
982plateau are no longer present. Instead, many users lack both
983the desire and ability to move at this plateau.
984<br/><br/>
985Well-learned motor tasks (e.g., speaking and typing) are still
986possible at this plateau, provided the user doesn't attempt to
987think about them. In particular, some users have reported that
988they were able to express their thoughts via typing, without even
989thinking about it or realizing they were doing so; however, when
990they looked at the screen or keyboard, they were no longer able
991to type. This is evidently a phenomenon unique to dissociative
992anesthetics.
993
994
995<br/><br/><br/>
996<br/><br/><br/>
997<hr size="2"/>
998<br/><br/><br/>
999<br/><br/><br/><center><a name="toc.5.7.4"><h3>5.7.4 Memory Effects</h3></a></center><br/><br/><br/>
1000
1001Short-term memory is seriously impaired; working memory is less
1002impaired. Thoughts may get stuck in a loop. Memory encoding
1003of the more mundane experiences of the trip tends to be very bad;
1004expect to forget a lot of the trip itself (a few people report
1005that they begin to recall events from the trip a few days after
1006it has ended; I know of no mechanism for this). The sense of
1007time can be quite distorted, both in terms of chronological placement
1008of events and in the sense of the passage of time.
1009<br/><br/>
1010The day after a third plateau DXM trip, some users feel as if
1011there were a break in the continuity of their memory,
1012almost like the close of one chapter and the beginning of another.
1013Some find this a very positive feeling, like a rebirth or rite
1014of passage. It can be disconcerting if experienced without adequate
1015foreknowledge and preparation.
1016<br/><br/>
1017One of the most significant memory effects that can occur at the
1018third plateau is the spontaneous recall
1019of memories, often memories which were hidden (consciously or
1020not). This can be a positive experience if one is prepared to
1021review the darkest secrets of one's past; otherwise it range from
1022somewhat embarrassing to very unpleasant and disturbing. The
1023user may also feel compelled to tell her or his companions about
1024these memories (not always a good idea).
1025
1026
1027<br/><br/><br/>
1028<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/>
1029<hr size="4"/>
1030<br/><br/><br/>
1031<br/><br/><br/><center><a name="toc.5.8"><h2>5.8 The Fourth Plateau</h2></a></center><br/><br/><br/>
1032
1033Information pertaining to the fourth plateau (roughly,
1034above 15 mg/kg) is limited, and what I have gathered will be presented
1035as a general overview. Fourth plateau doses are similar to fully
1036dissociative (but pre-anaesthetic) doses of ketamine.
1037<br/><br/>
1038Please note that dosages in these ranges are approaching the danger
1039zone, and <EM>under no circumstances should anyone take this
1040much DXM without a sober assistant who can take you to the hospital
1041if the need arises!</EM> Many people neglect "trip sitters" with
1042psychedelics. While you can probably get away with this with LSD
1043(provided you remain in control enough not to do something stupid), with
1044DXM there may be moments of such total confusion that you can wander
1045into trouble without knowing what's going on. Additionally, the
1046danger of adverse physiological effects, although not great, is
1047worth paying attention to. Finally, psychotic breaks are most
1048frequent at fourth plateau doses (and of course increase as the
1049dosage increases).
1050<br/><br/>
1051Generally, people entering the fourth plateau
1052report that they lose all contact with their bodies, often suddenly.
1053This can be somewhat frightening. In particular, the sense of
1054breathing is one of those missing, and people have occasionally
1055interpreted this as evidence that they were dead. The surrounding
1056environment may be evenly colored (usually grey or white), or
1057it may appear vividly realistic, or cartoon-like, or anywhere
1058in between these.
1059<br/><br/>
1060Many users have reported experiences very similar to "out
1061of body" and "near death"
1062experiences. In such cases, many report that they have contacted
1063other beings, whose reaction to the user is usually somewhere
1064between curiosity and amusement.
1065Contact with "superior being(s)" has also been reported,
1066sometimes as a raw force, sometimes personified in some way.
1067In the reports given to me, the "superior being" image
1068is more often female than male.
1069<br/><br/>
1070Delusions can become fairly
1071involved at this plateau; the crucial factor seems to be whether
1072or not the individual realizes that the belief or thought is drug-induced.
1073Some people, especially those more experienced at this level,
1074have reported that although they were aware that their thoughts
1075were delusional, they didn't really care at the time. In general
1076these delusions are fairly harmless (e.g., "I am a flower
1077in the middle of a field").
1078<br/><br/>
1079Typically an individual in this plateau won't be moving at all,
1080which can be frightening to observers. In many ways this state
1081resembles dreaming. If someone in this plateau does attempt to
1082move, his or her attendants should be very sure that he or she
1083is conscious of these actions, and not responding to a delusional
1084environment.
1085<br/><br/>
1086Somewhat surprisingly, many cognitive abilities
1087are still intact. Basic computational skills and long-term memory
1088recall do not seem to be particularly affected. It is also possible
1089for the "body" (actually body and some parts of the
1090mind) to undergo fairly complex tasks while the conscious mind
1091is dissociated.
1092<br/><br/>
1093One individual wrote the following of the fourth plateau trip,
1094and I think it is a good explanation both of the trip and of its
1095possible origins:<br/>
1096<blockquote>
1097I've come to the conclusion that DXM is almost unique in it's
1098ability to create a truly "alien" experience - one in
1099which major aspects of one's humanity can become entirely irrelevant.
1100 Most obviously, one's body can be left behind; even forgotten.
1101 The experience of becoming or encountering bizarre life-forms
1102seems at least somewhat common, as are weird, horizonless landscapes
1103or space-scapes. I think alot of this "alieness" comes
1104from having so many of one's ties to the familiar severed. When
1105your body is gone, your mind loses its sense of how "big"
1106or how "small" you are in relation to your surroundings.
1107 Hence hallucinations of huge things like galaxies, or of being
1108as large as a mountain, as small as an atom, etc. I think the
1109brain also misses subtle clues like the sensation of breathing,
1110blood flowing through the veins, etc. - things which help remind
1111you that you're human. And at some point, even your memories
1112of the familiar may be suppressed.
1113</blockquote>
1114
1115
1116<br/><br/><br/>
1117<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/>
1118<hr size="4"/>
1119<br/><br/><br/>
1120<br/><br/><br/><center><a name="toc.5.9"><h2>5.9 Plateau Sigma</h2></a></center><br/><br/><br/>
1121
1122A few people have independently contacted me about an additional
1123plateau -- one reached not by increasing the dosage but by prolonging
1124the experience. I searched for some time for a name before settling
1125on "Plateau Sigma", both because it seems to be related to sigma activity
1126(see <a href="dxm_neuropharm.shtml#toc.10.2">Section 10.2</a>) and because it occurs as one sums up small
1127doses (sigma being the mathematical symbol for summation). This
1128summation may lead to a strong potentiation of the psychotomimetic
1129effects of DXM (<a href="dxm_refs.shtml#r227">227</a>). <b>Over half the people who had a Plateau Sigma
1130experience have said it was extremely unpleasant and that they would
1131never repeat it</b>.
1132<br/><br/>
1133The most commonly reported dosage regimen for Plateau Sigma is given
1134below. However, before giving it, I warn you strongly against making
1135this sort of attempt. DXM at high dosages is probably hard both on the
1136brain and the body, and extending the experience is likely to increase the
1137chance for dangerous side effects. Furthermore, one must be experienced
1138enough with DXM, with the psychedelic experience in general, and with
1139one's own mind, to be able to understand the experience. Everyone who
1140has reported a successful experience with this dosage regimen has been
1141at least 23 years of age. While I do not doubt that some younger
1142people may be capable of having a good experience at this plateau, most
1143seem to be unable to understand it and unable to control it, and there
1144may be a real danger of psychotic breaks. Finally, the experience is in
1145some ways acutely uncomfortable, as one's contact with inner and outer
1146reality seems to break down entirely.
1147<br/><br/>
1148Combining suggestions from others I have come up with the following dosage
1149regimen. Start relatively early in the day (the experience degrades if
1150one is too fatigued), at about 6 to 10 hours after awakening. It helps
1151tremendously if one is in good physical shape and not under emotional
1152stress. Take a low second plateau dose. In three hours (or about 1 hour
1153after the peak), take a second low plateau dose. At three more hours
1154(or, again, 1 hour after second peak) take a high second plateau or low
1155third plateau dose. After coming down from the third plateau, instead
1156of going back to the second plateau and down to baseline, you may be left
1157in Plateau Sigma. Drugs which inhibit cytochrome P450-2D6 seem to
1158enhance the duration and intensity of the experience. Nicotine
1159is reported to inhibit it, and may even prevent it entirely.
1160<br/><br/>
1161At Plateau Sigma interesting things happen to reality. Some have reported
1162vivid, entirely realistic contacts with alien entities, spirits, gods and
1163goddesses. Unlike the fourth plateau, these contacts often take place
1164with eyes open, immersed in everyday reality. Although none of the people who
1165reported these experiences to me had bad trips, most related that the
1166experiences were so real that they felt they easily could have.
1167<br/><br/>
1168Vision suffers a curious change, seeming to consist of well-processed but
1169highly strobed images; so strong is the effect that it seems as if one is
1170looking at the world under a fast strobe light. The eyes don't seem to
1171track in synch with the inner 3D model of the world, so that when one looks
1172to one side or another, the world lurches back and forth for a moment.
1173Interestingly, it almost seems as if one is looking at the world from an
1174inner vision with the eyes closed (see <a href="dxm_experience.shtml#toc.5.11">Section 5.11</a>).
1175<br/><br/>
1176Finally, thoughts can be totally deranged. Connections between entirely
1177unrelated ideas form, causality goes out to lunch, and one's personality
1178seems pretty much dissolved into the universe. Expect to hear a lot of
1179voices; some people find themselves totally obedient to them. There seems
1180to be a "tireless" quality to the experience, as if one does not feel
1181either fatigue or emotion directly, but only receives information from
1182the inner voices ("sit down now, you're tired"). There are interesting
1183comparisons both to accounts of acute schizophrenia and to Jaynes'
1184postulated bicameral mind (<a href="dxm_refs.shtml#r350">350</a>).
1185<br/><br/>
1186Again, let me warn you of the dangers here. You are probably stepping
1187head first into psychosis, and unless you've got a very good trip sitter,
1188you might end up coming back to reality in a padded room. Or, if you're
1189really unlucky, you might freak out, have a hypertensive crisis, and end
1190up in the hospital. Chronic high-dose use of PCP has been implicated both
1191in deterioration of some brain areas and in cerebral hemorrhages. While
1192PCP stands somewhat alone among dissociatives due to its additional and
1193peculiar pharmacology, one should always be cautious when blazing trails
1194in uncharted territory.
1195<br/><br/>
1196<font size="+2">One last time: Be Careful!</font>
1197
1198
1199
1200<br/><br/><br/>
1201<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/>
1202<hr size="4"/>
1203<br/><br/><br/>
1204<br/><br/><br/><center><a name="toc.5.10"><h2>5.10 Is There Anything Beyond the Fourth Plateau?</h2></a></center><br/><br/><br/>
1205
1206There may be yet another plateau beyond the fourth. One individual
1207took 3000 mg (I don't know his weight) and survived, although he
1208regained consciousness in a strange location and remembered nothing
1209of the trip. Beyond the fourth plateau probably lies full anaesthesia,
1210then respiratory collapse, coma, hypoxic brain damage, and death. Given
1211the toxicity of DXM at doses much higher than the fourth plateau, I don't
1212think anyone should try and go there. You might not be able to come back.
1213<br/><br/>
1214More recently, one user accidentally went beyond the fourth plateau and
1215had a rather unpleasant (to say the least) experience:
1216<i>
1217 <br/><br/>
1218 Now, and interesting experience to relate. several months ago, I
1219 accidentally took 3060 mg of dxm, which at my weight then of 150 lbs,
1220 translated to about a 46.6 mg/Kg 9I believe) dose.
1221 <br/><br/>
1222 Now, I won't go into the details of how I managed to take this much,
1223 but in a nutshell, I took 1100 mg and three hours later felt nothing,
1224 so I took another 900 mg. Then, once it hit me, I somehow cleaned out
1225 the rest of my stash, for what reason, I don't know.
1226 <br/><br/>
1227 Anyway- for the first 6 hours following my first dose, I felt normal.
1228 Then, I experienced a normal high 2nd trip until the point when I took
1229 the remaining 1060 mg. After that point, i recall the following things:
1230 <br/><br/><OL>
1231 <li>falling face down on the floor in my room.
1232 <li>wondering why my rug tasted like burned nylon, when
1233 it was cotton.
1234 <li>feeling myself <b>float</b> past the 3rd and even 4th plateaus,
1235 they were clearly defined for me, with differing emotions and
1236 feelings for each one. The last thing I remember before passing
1237 out was looking up and seeing a 5th plateau, which was very dark
1238 and most definitely not happy looking. :) Then darknss.
1239 <li>dropping in and out of consciousness for a period of 15 hours,
1240 while hearing the voice of what I thought to be some higher
1241 being telling me repeatedly "do not do this to me again"
1242 </ol>
1243 <br/><br/>
1244 Approximately 25 hours after the first ingestion, I woke up, for the
1245 first time realizing where I was and what I'd done. I crawled to the
1246 bathroom, and found I'd lost about 4 lbs due to sweating, and was
1247 severely pale and shaky. I crawled back to my room, and found the
1248 floor absolutely soaked with sweat, which smelled like coricidin. I
1249 then passed out again, and woke up 6 hours later completely refreshed,
1250 but with a slight stomachache. I grabbed come chocolate milk and
1251 that gave me some energy back. Enough to reflect, at least. It was then
1252 that I counted the empty foil wrappers and learned what I'd done. I
1253 laid back and thought about this, and couldn't remember much, but did
1254 come to believe that the 'divine voice' I'd heard was nothing more than
1255 my brain screaming at me.
1256 <br/><br/>
1257 Since then, the trip has faded from my mind, but every time I look at
1258 coridicin, be it in a friend's hand, or in the store, I hear that voice
1259 again, and almost always puke instantly. As such, this dose is NOT
1260 recommended,and will probably prove fatal to someone not as lucky as
1261 I.
1262</i>
1263
1264
1265<br/><br/><br/>
1266<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/>
1267<hr size="4"/>
1268<br/><br/><br/>
1269<br/><br/><br/><center><a name="toc.5.11"><h2>5.11 What is the "DXM Third Eye Camera"?</h2></a></center><br/><br/><br/>
1270
1271The "Third Eye Camera" (or "DXM Wacky-Cam" as one person called it) is
1272a strange sense of vision that occurs sometimes after vision re-integrates
1273in upper plateau trips. It is most prominent in Plateau Sigma experiences.
1274There is a very pronounced strobing of vision without afterimages. As one
1275moves one's eyes, the world seems to zoom back and forth (it seems that
1276the inner model of the world isn't staying in synch with the outside;
1277it may be that the brain has lost track of where the eyes are pointing).
1278Vision is heavily dream-like and almost seems to persist with the eyes
1279closed.
1280<br/><br/>
1281Somewhat more specific is one person's explanation that the "strobe light"
1282seems to consist of regular pulses at roughly 8Hz, with small duty
1283cycle (i.e., the "pulse" phase of the strobe is considerably shorter
1284than the "non-pulse" phase). The frequency suggests theta rhythm, and
1285there is research to back this up and potentially explain it (see
1286<a href="dxm_physiological.shtml#toc.9.2.7">Section 9.2.7</a>). One person suggested that the strobe pulses
1287seemed to be a negative image of the world, or perhaps an alternative
1288view of it. It may be a strobing between an inner model of the visual
1289space and sensory input. It might also be a flashing between the left
1290eye's view and the right eye's view (another person suggested this). In
1291any case, it seems to persist only until one goes to sleep, regardless of
1292how much DXM is still hanging around in your body when you wake up.
1293
1294
1295<br/><br/><br/>
1296<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/>
1297<hr size="4"/>
1298<br/><br/><br/>
1299<br/><br/><br/><center><a name="toc.5.12"><h2>5.12 Tussin Space, Tussin Consciousness</h2></a></center><br/><br/><br/>
1300
1301One of the more interesting phenomena that occur after one has gained
1302experience with DXM is the development of a state-dependent memory.
1303As the DXM experience starts, one finds onesself in comfortable,
1304familiar territory, a space and consciousness unique to the DXM
1305experience. Memories of former DXM trips can become easier to recall
1306and more vivid. To many, this phenomenon is associated with a physical
1307construct, a "Tussin Space," as more than one person has called it.
1308<br/><br/>
1309The exact nature of this space varies from person to person. Many
1310find it to be a vast, open space, full of exotic and alien constructs,
1311buildings and shapes. Some see crystalline towers and cloud-like
1312lifeforms; others see the Tussin Space as a forest, desert, or other
1313natural setting. Your Mileage May Vary. Many if not most don't really
1314see it as a physical space at all.
1315<br/><br/>
1316Along with this space comes the unique but consistent changes in
1317consciousness that lead to the state-dependent memory of the DXM
1318experience. Called Tussin Consciousness by some, it becomes more and
1319more familiar as one learns familiarity with DXM and becomes able
1320to compensate for the memory inhibition.
1321
1322
1323<br/><br/><br/>
1324<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/>
1325<hr size="4"/>
1326<br/><br/><br/>
1327<br/><br/><br/><center><a name="toc.5.13"><h2>5.13 What is the "Tussin Euphoria" and What Makes it Unique?</h2></a></center><br/><br/><br/>
1328
1329People do psychoactive drugs because in some sense they are pleasurable or
1330beneficial. In some cases, such as cocaine and opiates, this takes the
1331form of a "body high" or general euphoria resulting from stimulation of
1332the brain's reward centers (the pathways of the ventral tegmental area,
1333to be more specific). In other cases, like marijauna and LSD, the
1334benefits are more emotional and intellectual. Many lab animals do not
1335self-administer marijuana, and to my knowledge none self-administer LSD or
1336related psychedelics.
1337<br/><br/>
1338DXM seems to lie somewhere in between; exactly where seems to depend
1339on the individual. There is a definite DXM euphoria (called the
1340"Tussin Euphoria" by the same people who refer to Tussin Space and
1341Tussin Consciousness), but not everyone experiences it. Some in fact
1342find DXM so profoundly disturbing that they never repeat the experience.
1343A very few seem to find such incredible meaning and profundity to the
1344DXM experience that it becomes psychologically addictive.
1345<br/><br/>
1346The Tussin Euphoria is totally unlike the euphoria from "body drugs"
1347such as cocaine or heroin, and equally unlike the euphoria from MDMA
1348(ecstasy). Instead, it is a sensation of being totally at peace with
1349onesself, the universe, and other people. Ordinary cares and concerns
1350seem to vanish as one enters a world where anything is possible, and
1351the body becomes increasingly irrelevant. "Meat pleasures" such as
1352food and sex are no longer relevant.
1353<br/><br/>
1354For those susceptible to it, the lure of the Tussin Euphoria can be
1355significant. One person compared it to "The Nexus" from <i>Star
1356Trek: Generations</i>; when in the Tussin Space, time has no meaning,
1357and anything is possible. Basically it comes down to whether or not
1358you enjoy being a discarnate entity, roaming around in a mental/spiritual
1359world without physical interaction. Conversations are, of course,
1360still a part of one's interactions, and many find great comfort and
1361pleasure in group tripping. However, don't expect physical contact
1362to be particularly profound; DXM is not a substitute for MDMA.
1363<br/><br/>
1364If you find yourself particularly susceptible to Tussin Euphoria,
1365keep in mind that with frequent use of DXM it goes away and leaves
1366one only with a sense of discomfort and dysphoria. In a very few
1367individuals, this can continue into full-blown depression. Like
1368all other drugs, you never get something for nothing.
1369
1370
1371<br/><br/><br/>
1372<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/>
1373<hr size="4"/>
1374<br/><br/><br/>
1375<br/><br/><br/><center><a name="toc.5.14"><h2>5.14 What Can Happen with Long-term or Regular Use?</h2></a></center><br/><br/><br/>
1376
1377Long-term or regular use, especially in amounts above 6 mg/kg daily,
1378tends to produce several undesirable effects, some of which may
1379be dangerous. Although these are discussed in detail in
1380<a href="dxm_side_effects.shtml#toc.6.3">Section 6.3</a>, I will go over them briefly here.
1381<br/><br/>
1382The most significant risk of regular use of DXM is mental impairment
1383(deterioration of language, motor skills, memory; loss of emotion;
1384antisocial behaviour; violent ideation; etc.). Obviously there is
1385mental impairment while intoxicated. However, some regular users
1386have reported a temporary but long-term impairment (up to three months)
1387after discontinuing regular use of DXM. The mechanism for this is
1388unknown, but it has been reported with other dissociatives (<a href="dxm_refs.shtml#r355">355</a>).
1389<br/><br/>
1390Permanent impairment is a more significant problem. There are
1391two separate mechanisms for this: Olney's lesions (see
1392<a href="dxm_side_effects.shtml#toc.6.3.1">Section 6.3.1</a>) and hypertension-induced CVAs (stroke and
1393cerebral hemorrhage). Olney's lesions are a particular type
1394of dissociative-induced brain damage that occur in experimental
1395animals at between 5 and 10 times anaesthetic doses, but may
1396also occur with long-term use (though this is unproven).
1397Hypertensive CVAs have been demonstrated with PCP (<a href="dxm_refs.shtml#r355">355</a>) but
1398not with DXM.
1399<br/><br/>
1400At least one study has shown permanent cognitive impairment from
1401DXM (<a href="dxm_refs.shtml#r136">136</a>), and I have received three additional reports of it
1402(out of about 500). Generally speaking it doesn't seem to occur
1403except with regular use of high dosages, and there may be
1404underlying disorders (temporal lobe epilepsy, susceptibility to
1405CVAs, etc) involved.
1406<br/><br/>
1407To make matters even worse, long-term
1408sigma activity may cause permanent changes in neurons (<a href="dxm_refs.shtml#r101">101</a>),
1409although evidently this is predominantly a problem with other
1410sigma ligands like haloperidol (it took 3 days for DXM to produce
1411the changes haloperidol produced in a few hours).
1412<br/><br/>
1413A second risk concerns addiction (see <a href="dxm_side_effects.shtml#toc.6.6">Section 6.6</a>).
1414There doesn't seem
1415to be much risk of physical addiction; while some have suggested
1416that NMDA receptors upregulate with blockade (<a href="dxm_refs.shtml#r114">114</a>), other studies
1417dispute this. On the other hand, psychological addiction
1418from dissociatives is well documented (<a href="dxm_refs.shtml#r194">194</a>,<a href="dxm_refs.shtml#r202">202</a>,<a href="dxm_refs.shtml#r203">203</a>). Not everyone seems
1419to be susceptible to this; genetic factors may be involved. For
1420further information see <a href="dxm_experience.shtml#toc.5.13">Section 5.13</a> and
1421<a href="dxm_side_effects.shtml#toc.6.3.11">Section 6.3.11</a>).
1422<br/><br/>
1423One person related a story of DXM addiction which may give some
1424perspective on the problem. The individual was roughly 60 kg,
1425and took a dose of 480 mg, three or four times a day. The total
1426dosage was thus 1440 mg to 1920 mg, i.e., 24 to 32 mg/kg. This individual
1427took the dosage regularly to maintain a constant state of profound
1428intoxication with a great deal of opiate-like effects; neglecting
1429the dose led to withdrawal symptoms consistent with opiate withdrawal,
1430and possibly also withdrawal from a depressant. The individual
1431had no history of psychological problems. The individual developed
1432severe depression, leading to a suicide attempt and several months
1433in drug rehabilitation.
1434<br/><br/>
1435Exactly why some individuals seem to have drug dependence problems
1436with DXM is unknown; it may be a function of chronic high-level
1437use, or it may be a function of individual physiology. PLEASE
1438NOTE that this user built up to this dose over a considerable
1439time; a similar dose in a drug-naive individual could well be fatal.
1440<br/><br/>
1441Dissociative-induced depression is another concern with DXM, and
1442has been documented (<a href="dxm_refs.shtml#r4">4</a>,<a href="dxm_refs.shtml#r6">6</a>,<a href="dxm_refs.shtml#r139">139-141</a>,<a href="dxm_refs.shtml#r355">355</a>). There may be biological
1443factors involved. According to the data I have
1444gathered, the incidence rate may be as low as 5% or as high as 40%,
1445depending on how you look at things (I haven't done any formal
1446studies yet, and in particular I have not used any established
1447depression inventories, so my guesstimates must be taken with
1448due skepticism). Paradoxically, some researchers suggest that
1449dissociatives are actually antidepressants, but that, unlike those
1450used in clinical practice, tolerance can build rapidly, leaving one
1451with a rebound effect.
1452<br/><br/>
1453Other things to worry about are hypertensive
1454crises, serotonin syndrome, damage to the kidneys, liver, and
1455pancreas, heart arrhythmias, antisocial behaviour, psychotic
1456breaks, muscle degeneration, etc. For the full story, see
1457<a href="dxm_side_effects.shtml#toc.6.3">Section 6.3</a>).
1458<br/><br/>
1459For better or for worse, most of the pleasurable effects of
1460DXM tend to go away with regular use. Tolerance can build rapidly,
1461leaving one only with a general sensation of being high and
1462stupid.
1463<br/><br/>
1464A very few users report beneficial effects of chronic high-level use.
1465The effects usually include some antidepressant
1466activity (entirely reasonable given the possible significance
1467of PCP<SUB>2</SUB> receptors), stimulant activity, long-term motivational
1468effect, and cognitive and creative enhancement (this has not been
1469quantified and may be entirely subjective). It is arguable that
1470chronic DXM use may actually be self-medication for depression
1471in some people.
1472<br/><br/>
1473Overall, however, most people report that DXM loses its interesting
1474characteristics when used regularly, leaving the more mundane
1475and unpleasant aspects. One former user summed it up well by
1476stating that "being addicted to DXM was like being addicted
1477to heroin. Except not as fun."
1478So <b>please</b> be careful and avoid regular use.
1479
1480
1481<br/><br/><br/>
1482<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/>
1483<hr size="4"/>
1484<br/><br/><br/>
1485<br/><br/><br/><center><a name="toc.5.15"><h2>5.15 Why does DXM Affect Different People So Differently?</h2></a></center><br/><br/><br/>
1486
1487Several reasons. First off, there is a liver enzyme known as cytochrome
1488P450-2D6 (also CYP2D6, or debrisoquine 4-hydroxylase),
1489which metabolizes DXM. Some people lack this enzyme, and of those
1490who have it, subtle genetic variations can result in different activity
1491(<a href="dxm_refs.shtml#r10">10-18</a>). Thus, while one person
1492may metabolize DXM quickly, another may not (there are other pathways
1493which are much slower). Certain drugs - such as fluoxetine
1494(Prozac<SUP><font size="-2">TM</font></SUP>) can inhibit this enzyme (<a href="dxm_refs.shtml#r39">39</a>). A partial list of P450-2D6
1495inhibiting drugs is given in <a href="dxm_appendices.shtml#toc.15.1">Section 15.1</a>.
1496<br/><br/>
1497Second, some of the effects of DXM are due to the DXM itself,
1498and some are due to its metabolite dextrorphan
1499(DXO), which is more similar to PCP and ketamine in its neuroreceptor
1500activity (<a href="dxm_refs.shtml#r43">43</a>).
1501Some individuals may metabolize high doses of dextromethorphan
1502to dextrorphan more quickly than others. Incidentally, my opinion
1503- based on anecdotal evidence of recreational DXM use while on
1504fluoxetine - is that <b>both </b>DXM and dextorphan are responsible
1505for the psychoactive effects (yes, I changed my mind). There
1506is evidence to show that DXM is definitely involved, and may be
1507responsible for most of the lower plateau effects (<a href="dxm_refs.shtml#r32">32</a>).
1508<br/><br/>
1509Third, NMDA receptors
1510are intimately involved in many areas of the brain where a great
1511deal of processing takes place, such as the hippocampus and the
1512cerebellum. In contrast to the biogenic amine neurotransmitters
1513(serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline, histamine, and acetylcholine)
1514which seem to play a modulatory role, excitatory amino acids and
1515NMDA receptors are involved in the "nitty gritty" of
1516brain processes. It is possible that, due to this extensive involvement,
1517many different cortical and limbic circuits may be affected.
1518<br/><br/>
1519In fact, DXM affects at least four different binding sites (see
1520<a href="dxm_physiological.shtml#toc.9.2">Section 9.2</a>), and each of these is
1521subject to subtle variance from person to person (<a href="dxm_refs.shtml#r44">44</a>).
1522<br/><br/>
1523A few people have suggested that temporal lobe epilepsy may greatly
1524change the DXM experience (pers. comm.). If nothing else, it has been
1525implicated in cognitive impairment from DXM use (<a href="dxm_refs.shtml#r136">136</a>). Additionally, some
1526of the more profound dissociative experiences (see
1527<a href="dxm_paranormal.shtml#toc.8.2.1">Section 8.2.1</a>) may be altered, and possibly amplified,
1528by having an underlying susceptibility to seizures.
1529<br/><br/>
1530There are probably a gazillion other reasons why DXM has such
1531a wide range of effects. Subtle differences in brain chemistry,
1532notably in terms of sigma receptors, may also be involved. Psychological
1533set, as well as setting, are undoubtedly also part of the problem.
1534
1535
1536<br/><br/><br/>
1537<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/>
1538<hr size="4"/>
1539<br/><br/><br/>
1540<br/><br/><br/><center><a name="toc.5.16"><h2>5.16 How Does DXM Compare With Other Dissociatives?</h2></a></center><br/><br/><br/>
1541
1542Third and especially fourth plateau DXM experiences seem to resemble
1543ketamine experiences, and based on reports of people who have
1544done both, the similarity is considerable. This is not surprising,
1545since both DXM and ketamine block NMDA receptors. Since v3.0 of the
1546FAQ I have heard from PCP users who have tried DXM; all of them say
1547that the two share little in common except at very high doses of
1548DXM, and that even then the experiences are significantly different.
1549PCP stands somewhat alone among dissociatives due to its unique
1550neuropharmacology.
1551<br/><br/>
1552The lower DXM plateaus seem to show a number of differences
1553from other dissociatives. This is most likely due to DXM's unique
1554potency at the dopamine reuptake site (the PCP<sub>2</sub> receptor) and
1555the sigma receptor. DXM's ability to block dopamine reuptake
1556is probably the biggest factor in its popularity at lower plateaus;
1557neither ketamine nor PCP have substantial ability to do this.
1558<br/><br/>
1559When DXM is taken in divided doses, or when it is taken with an
1560inhibitor of the P450-2D6 enzyme (e.g., fluoxetine), its sigma
1561agonist activity becomes much stronger in comparison to its effect
1562at the NMDA receptor. As expected, DXM taken under these conditions
1563differs from other dissociatives, and is sometimes reported to
1564induce schizophrenic-like thought processes and other unpleasant
1565effects.
1566
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