DXM & DPH in combination |
| DXM & DPH in combination | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| The skeletal formula of Dextromethorphan. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| The skeletal formula of Diphenhydramine. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Summary sheet: DXM & DPH |
This article serves as a complete breakdown and categorization for the consistent subjective effects that are induced across all people who undergo the DXM and DPH combination experience. Although there are an infinite amount of possible drug combinations, almost all of them simply induce the effects of the two separate drugs on top of each other in a very predictable manner. However, these two substances do just the opposite of that; they produce a very unique synergy when taken together and potentiate the positive aspects of the other substance whilst simultaneously suppressing its negative side effects. Distinct visual and hallucinatory effects that are found on neither of these substances when taken on their own also occur.
Contents
Chemistry
Diphenhydramine (DPH), or 2-(diphenylmethoxy)-N,N-dimethylethanamine, is a first generation antihistamine originally synthesized in 1943. The chemical structure of DPH contains an ethylamine chain with two methyl groups bonded to the terminal nitrogen group RN. Additionally, this ethylamine chain is substituted at R2 with a diphenylmethoxy group, forming an ether. The diphenylmethoxy group consists of two aromatic phenyl rings bonded the carbon member of a methoxy group CH3O-. DPH is produced as a hydrochloride salt.
Dextromorphan (DXM) is a dextratrorotatory molecule of the morphinan class. It contains a phenanthrene core structure with one aromatic ring (benzene) bound to two saturated rings (cyclohexane). Additionally it contains a nitrogen containing 6-membered saturated ring attached to R9 and R13 of the core structure. DXM is substituted at RN with a methyl group and at R3 with a methoxy group.
Pharmacology
DXM
DXM acts as an NMDA receptor antagonist. NMDA receptors allow for electrical signals to pass between neurones in the brain and spinal column; for the signals to pass, the receptor must be open. Dissociatives close the NMDA receptors by blocking them. This disconnection of neurones leads to loss of feeling, difficulty moving, and eventually the famous “hole.”
The mechanism of action behind DXM is via multiple effects, including actions as a nonselective serotonin reuptake inhibitor[1] and a sigma-1 receptor agonist.[2][3]
DPH
DPH is an inverse agonist of the histamine H1 receptor, and is also a competitive antagonist at mACH receptors. This substance works via its antagonistic action on acetylcholine receptors. It’s this inhibition of acetylcholine which leads to delirium, sedation and intensely realistic hallucinations alongside of some extremely uncomfortable and dysphoric physical side effects.
Subjective effects
The effects listed below are based upon the subjective effects index and personal experiences of PsychonautWiki contributors. The listed effects will rarely (if ever) occur all at once, but heavier dosages will increase the chances and are more likely to induce a full range of effects.
Physical effects
When taken in combination, DXM and DPH both lessen the negative side effects of the other substance. For example, due to DPH’s nausea suppressing abilities, the nausea associated with DXM is almost entirely absent. In return, DXM’s dissociating and anesthetic-like qualities have an extremely positive effect on the unbearably strong physical dysphoria found within DPH. This completely eliminates the muscle cramps, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, restless leg syndrome, and extreme dehydration experienced when DPH is tried by itself. This allows the unique delirium, hallucinations and visual effects of the DPH experience to become much more accessible to your average person.
The subjective physical effects of DXM and DPH can be broken down into several components which progressively intensify proportional to dosage. These components generally include:
- Tactile disconnection
- Spontaneous tactile sensations - The "body high" is a sharp, pleasurable tingling sensation which is location specific to the hands, feet and head. The second is a warm euphoric glow which emanates outwards from the centre of the body's torso.
- Perception of increased weight - A powerful increase in the body's overall weight and sense of gravity is felt.
- Physical autonomy
- Cough suppression
- Physical fatigue
Cognitive effects
The emotional dysphoria, paranoia, anxiety, depression and feelings of impending doom usually found within DPH do not seem to present when taken in combination with DXM. This could be attributed to DXM's euphoric and calming effects. In total, the subjective cognitive effects of DXM and DPH can be broken down into several components which progressively intensify proportional to dosage. These components generally include:
- Consciousness disconnection
- Memory suppression
- Thought deceleration
- Emotion suppression
- Information processing suppression
- Language suppression
- Amnesia
- Simultaneous emotions
Visual effects
Suppression
This combination does not enhance visual stimuli in the way that psychedelics do; instead, they tend to degrade and decrease visual aptitude while increasing hallucinations and degrading vision. These are described below and generally include:
Distortions
As for visual distortions and alterations, the effects experienced are detailed below:
- Drifting (melting, breathing, morphing and flowing) - In comparison to other hallucinogens, this effect can be described as intricate in complexity; jittery, slow, and rigid in motion; static in permanence; blurry in detail; realistic in believability; and interactive in plasticity.
- 3-Dimensional textures - Another distinct visual distortion which is seemingly unique to this very specific combination is a distortion which exclusively effects rough and detailed textures. This causes textures to become 3-dimensional, rising up out of the surface which they reside upon in a strangely intricate and static fashion that looks similar in appearance to condensed, mostly opaque coloured smoke.
- Brightness alteration - It is not uncommon during DPH/DXM experiences for one's vision to become dark and gloomy in its brightness.
Geometry
In terms of the specific style of geometry present within this combination, it can be described as intricate in complexity, slow in movement, dark in colour scheme and ominous in emotional vibe. It manifests itself in a traditional psychedelic manner when the eyes are closed, but appears as static, unmoving shapes and geometry which the external environment morphs into when the eyes are open and looking at any single point, always resetting once the person double takes. This is an unusual visual effect because both dissociative and psychedelic visuals do not do this, preferring to manifest themselves as a fast-moving and flat translucent veil across the visual field which cannot be interacted with.
Hallucinatory states
The effects of this combination are extremely efficient at inducing delirious hallucinations which can be broken into the categories described below:
- External hallucinations (autonomous entities; settings, sceneries, and landscapes; alterations in perspective and scenarios and plots) - In comparison to other classes of hallucinogen, this effect occurs more frequently than that of any other at moderate to heavy doses and is the defining feature of the experience. It can be comprehensively described through its variations as delirious in believability, autonomous in controllability and solid in style. The most common themes for these hallucinations include those of both everyday occurrences such as smoking phantom cigarettes, talking to people who are not there, insects and sinister, nightmarish experiences.
- Internal hallucinations (autonomous entities; settings, sceneries, and landscapes; alterations in perspective and scenarios and plots) - In comparison to other classes of hallucinogens, this effect occurs briefly and spontaneously at moderate doses, but becomes progressively extended in its occurrence and duration proportional to dose before eventually becoming all-encompassing. It can be comprehensively described through its variations as delirious in believability, interactive in style, equal in new experiences and memory replays in content, autonomous in controllability and solid in style.
- Peripheral information misinterpretation
- Unspeakable horrors
- Shadow people
Auditory effects
The auditory effects of this combination are extremely consistent in occurrence in comparison to that of LSD and psilocin and exhibit a range of effects which commonly includes:
Toxicity and harm potential
Legal issues
See also
References
- ↑ Dextromethorphan-induced serotonin syndrome (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19238739
- ↑ Dextromethorphan attenuates trimethyltin-induced neurotoxicity via sigma1 receptor activation in rats | http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0197-0186(07)00038-1
- ↑ Dextromethorphan attenuates trimethyltin-induced neurotoxicity via σ1 receptor activation in rats (ScienceDirect) | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0197018607000381
