Context: I’m a musician and I was curious about the reportedly profound music enhancement effects at 2nd plateau. I kept the dose conservative (175mg at 78kg = 2.2mg/kg — low 2nd/high 1st).
The Setup
Made a playlist in advance: Pink Floyd, Tangerine Dream, Brian Eno, some classical. Had everything I needed within arm’s reach. Told a friend what I was doing and asked them to check in by text at T+2.
Music on DXM
I had read descriptions of this but still wasn’t prepared. Around T+1:15 when the effects were building, I put on “Echoes” by Pink Floyd. The spatial quality of the recording became extraordinary — instruments felt like they were physically moving through a three-dimensional space around me. I could hear micro-details in the mix that I’ve never noticed in years of listening to this album professionally.
My perception of rhythm changed. The meter felt elastic, stretching and compressing in ways that were deeply beautiful rather than disorienting.
Composition Insights
I spent a lot of the peak state writing notes (coordination was impaired enough that my handwriting was nearly illegible, but readable later). Several ideas I captured that night became parts of things I’ve actually recorded.
Overall
At this dose, the experience was entirely pleasant. No significant anxiety, mild dissociation that was interesting rather than frightening, profound enhancement of music and sensory detail. This is why the substance has a devoted community. I understand it now.
5+ hour total duration. Clean come-down. Very slight grogginess the next morning, nothing a coffee didn’t fix.