Dextromethorphan
Aliases: Dm, Dxm, Dex, Robo, Syrup, robotussin, robitussin
Categories
Summary
DXM polistirex is an extended-release formulation where dextromethorphan is bound to a sulfonated styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer complex (an edible plastic), resulting in significantly slower absorption and prolonged effects compared to DXM HBr. Duration can extend 12-24 hours with residual effects lasting up to 48 hours. The extended-release mechanism increases the ratio of unconverted DXM to dextrorphan (DXO) in the bloodstream, producing more physical/sedating effects and less intense psychedelic/dissociative effects compared to immediate-release DXM HBr. It is more difficult to reach third plateau with polistirex preparations. Users report that approximately 1.5-2x the dose of DXM HBr may be needed to achieve equivalent effects.
Dose Information
| ROA | Light | Common | Strong | Heavy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral BA ~11% | 100-200mg | 200-400mg | 400-700mg | 700mg+ |
DXM Plateau Calculator
DXM dosing is weight-based — the same dose can produce very different effects depending on your body weight. DXM experiences are categorised into four distinct plateaus, each with progressively more intense dissociative effects.
Mild stimulation, music enhancement, and a light mood lift. Often compared to a mild alcohol buzz with added euphoria. Most social of the plateaus.
Euphoria, closed-eye visuals, and noticeable dissociation. Impaired motor coordination, slurred speech. Similar to being cross-faded. The most commonly explored plateau.
Strong dissociation, altered perception of time and gravity, flanging of vision and sound, intense closed-eye hallucinations. Motor control is significantly impaired — you should remain seated or lying down.
Full dissociation comparable to a high-dose ketamine "hole". Complete out-of-body experiences, loss of contact with external reality. Dangerous — risk of unconsciousness, respiratory depression, and medical emergency.
⚠️ Deaths have been reported at doses above 25 mg/kg. Always start low. Make sure your product contains only DXM as the active ingredient — no acetaminophen, guaifenesin, antihistamines, or pseudoephedrine.
Onset, Duration & After-effects
| ROA | Onset | Comeup | Peak | Offset | After Effects | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral | 19-60 min | 30-90 min | 2.0-3.0 hrs | 2.0-4.0 hrs | 2.0-48.0 hrs | 6.0-8.0 hrs |
Tolerance
Effects
- Physical euphoria
- Cough suppression
- Creativity enhancement
- Nausea
- Increased perspiration
- Impaired motor control
- Sedation
- Out-of-body experiences
- Spontaneous bodily sensations
- Physical disconnection
- Itchiness
- Difficulty urinating
- Tactile disconnection
- Euphoria
- Cognitive euphoria
- Immersion enhancement
- Conceptual thinking
- Unity and interconnectedness
- Confusion
- Cognitive impairment
- Motor control loss
- Memory suppression
- Depersonalization
- Derealization
- Cognitive disconnection
- Dizziness
- Information processing suppression
- Thought deceleration
- Dissociation
- Altered time perception
- Time distortion
- Ego death
- Consciousness disconnection
- Personal bias suppression
- Perspective alterations
- Perspective distortions
- Physical autonomy
- Visual geometry
- Increased music appreciation
- Perception of bodily lightness
- Auditory enhancement
- Spatial disorientation
- Visual acuity suppression
- Double vision
- Frame rate suppression
- Acuity suppression
- Auditory suppression
- Pattern recognition suppression
- Tactile suppression
- Visual and auditory hallucinations
- Internal hallucination
- Visual disconnection
- External hallucination
- Optical sliding
- Auditory distortion
- Auditory hallucinations
- Autonomous entities
- Environmental cubism
- Environmental orbism
- External hallucinations
- Internal hallucinations
- Perception of decreased weight
- Scenery slicing
- Visual sliding