Before You Dose
Research Phase (Days Before)
- Research all medications you currently take and verify no contraindications with DXM — especially antidepressants, stimulants, opioids, antihistamines
- Use this site’s interaction checker for any substances you plan to combine
- Determine your target plateau and appropriate dose for your body weight
- Read at least 3-5 trip reports from your target plateau level
- Decide: will you have a sitter? At 2nd plateau this is strongly recommended; at 3rd/4th it is essential
Preparation (Day Of)
- Fast for 4-6 hours before dosing (dramatically reduces nausea and can improve absorption consistency)
- Ensure you have no obligations for the entire expected duration plus 4 hours
- Prepare your environment: safe, comfortable, familiar, private
- Have water within easy reach (not alcohol — water)
- Have a sitter’s contact information ready, or have them physically present if 3rd/4th plateau
- Tell at least one trusted person what you’re doing, even if they’re not present
- Verify your DXM product contains only DXM — no acetaminophen, no guaifenesin, no CPM (chlorpheniramine)
- If testing powder: use a substance test kit and fentanyl test strips
- Consider pre-loading cetirizine (Zyrtec, 10mg) or loratadine (Claritin) 30-60 minutes before to reduce robo itch
Calculate Your Dose
- Use the DXM Calculator with your actual body weight
- If this is your first experience: target low 1st plateau or low 2nd plateau maximum
- Account for salt type: polistirex is ~75% as bioavailable as HBr
- Know your CYP2D6 status if possible — poor metabolizers need significantly lower doses
During the Experience
Immediately After Dosing
- Note the time you dosed
- Stay in your prepared environment — do not go outside unless specifically planned
- Do not drive or operate any machinery under any circumstances
- Do not redose. Be patient. DXM onset can take 60-90 minutes.
During Effects
- Sip water regularly — about 500ml per hour if any physical activity; less if sedentary
- Check in with your sitter as planned
- If you experience anxiety: lie down, breathe slowly, remind yourself the effects are temporary
- Do not fight the dissociation — surrender to it
- Absolutely no additional alcohol, pills, or other substances
When to Seek Help
Call emergency services (911 in US) if any of the following occur:
- Seizure
- Loss of consciousness that cannot be roused
- Very slow or labored breathing
- Very high fever (feels extremely hot to touch)
- Severe muscle rigidity
- Rapid, racing heart combined with high fever and agitation (possible serotonin syndrome)
Inform emergency responders what was taken. Good Samaritan laws in many US states protect you from drug charges when calling 911 for a drug emergency.
After the Experience
Immediate Aftercare
- Hydrate and eat when able to (light food is best initially)
- Sleep — most people sleep very well after DXM
- Document your experience while memories are fresh if you want a record
Integration
- Give yourself a full day to return to baseline before making any important decisions
- Minimum 2 weeks before considering use again — preferably longer
- If the experience was therapeutic or produced insights, journal and reflect
- If the experience was traumatic or frightening, consider speaking with a therapist
Long-Term
- Frequency matters significantly for both tolerance and neurotoxicity risk
- If use is becoming habitual or compulsive, please seek support
- SAMHSA Helpline: 1-800-662-4357