Dextromethorphan (DXM)
Dextromethorphan (DXM) is a cough suppressant in more than 100 Over-the-Counter medications. Some of the popular medications containing DXM are Nyquil, Coricidin, and Robitussin. When taken in large doses DXM creates feelings of euphoria and hallucinations, similar to the drugs PCP and Ketamine. The hallucinations are caused because DXM blocks a type of neuro-receptor called N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), which in turn shuts down certain pathways in the brain and prevents the brain from communicating with itself. The result is that the consciousness, memory, perception, and motor activity are all disconnected from each other. The euphoric feeling is a result of increased release of a neurotransmitter (brain chemical) that is associated with pleasant feelings, called dopamine.
NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF DXM:
Effects on the brain
Excessive
amounts of DXM is believed to cause damage to very specific areas of the
brain called the postcingulate cortex and the retrosplenial cortex. The
damage is
called “Olney’s lesions.” This type of damage is caused by the
formation of tiny little holes in the brain. Damage to this area of the
brain would affect certain aspects of memory (language), the ability to
understand metaphors, evaluating your own behavior, multi-sensory
thinking and learning in new situations. In addition, most medications
that contain DXM also contain other drugs that could damage other areas
of the brain if taken in large doses. The combination of high doses of
these drugs, or high doses of any one of them by themselves, can result
in death.
Doctors don’t know everything about DXM’s effects on the brain. The brain is extremely difficult to study and there could still be a lot more they don’t know. With every chemical put into the body in excess or for prolonged periods of time a person is taking the risk of doing damage to his or her brain.
A change in brain development occurs in the teenage years, which is partly the reason for why they seem to change as they become teenagers. Some of the changes occurring first are ones that will increase motivation, emotions, and risk taking. But it’s important for healthy brain development that when teenagers take medication they are taking them according to the recommendations of a doctor or the pharmaceutical’s recommendations with the permission of a parent.
Note: Healthy brain development also means that teenagers should not use alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs
Other effects of DXM:
Confusion, dizziness, double or blurred vision, slurred speech, impaired physical coordination, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, rapid heart beat, drowsiness, numbness of fingers and toes, disorientation, seizures, panic attacks, and addiction.
ADDICTION:
All medications or street drugs that are abused have the potential to lead to addiction. There is sometimes the misperception that addiction is a matter of will power. However, addiction involves a change in brain chemistry, which can result in a change of thinking, personality, and perception of his or her own behavior. The sooner a person receives help for addiction or abuse of drugs the more likely they will begin to live a drug free life.
HOW TO IDENTIFY SOMEONE HIGH ON DXM:
Some DXM users describe different "plateaus" ranging from mild distortions of color and sound to visual hallucinations, "out-of-body" desiccative sensations, and loss of motor control, depending on the amount of DXM taken. At the first plateau the person appears to be restless and energetic. There is an increase in body temperature and heart rate. There is a slight loss of coordination and the person is slightly intoxicated. With the second plateau the person begins to feel heavier with an increased feeling of peace and quiet. The person may seem to be having difficulty understanding what you’re saying because their sensory input becomes choppy. The third plateau will involve a delayed reaction time, some difficulty-recognizing people or understanding language, short-term memory impairment, abstract hallucinations, decision-making impairment, and a significant loss in motor coordination. In the fourth plateau, the person will have increased third plateau effects, and sometimes hallucinations involving contact with superior beings such as vampires, aliens or gods.
See for yourself: CLICK HERE and view two teens "Trippen", this could be your teens.
WHY ARE SOME HAVANA TEENS ABUSING DXM?
The
subcommittee from HAPT that has been assigned to deal with DXM abuse has
considered this same question. First of all, it’s important to know that
most teens in Havana are NOT abusing DXM. But, this trend is
occurring throughout the country. We don’t know for sure why DXM abuse
has become more of a problem in Havana than elsewhere, but we have
determined several factors that increase the c
hances teens in Havana
will abuse DXM. First, they have a low risk of experiencing negative
consequences from authority figures. Since parents haven’t known about
it the teens have been more likely to get away with it. The police can’t
do much about it since the substance is legal. And also, some probation
clients have used it because DXM is not tested in standard drug tests.
Second, Havana teens have easy access to DXM. Many of them take it from
their home medicine cabinets, steal it from others’ home medicine
cabinets, and shoplift and/or buy it from the area establishments. The
third factor that increases the risk Havana teens will use DXM is that
many teens think DXM is a safe and non-addictive way to get high. This
is a common misperception. Some people believe that medications are safe
since they are made from pharmaceutical companies and are used for
health reasons. However, if taken in ways other than recommended doses,
there is always the chance of short-term health risks, long-term health
risks, and death, as well as addiction.
By informing the community we are hoping teens will be more likely to experience negative consequences from parents. We are also now aware that for an extra fee people can be tested for DXM. It is unknown whether probation clients will begin to be tested for DXM but there is discussion about that possibility, and about whether there are consequences that can be enforced despite DXM’s legal status. There are two ways we’re dealing with DXM’s easy availability. We’re encouraging local businesses to take their DXM off the shelves and keep it behind the counters, and to require their customers be at least 18 years old to purchase these products. We are also asking parents and other adults to either keep track of their products containing DXM or to lock them up. There are two ways we’re dealing with the misperception of DXM’s health risks. We are informing parents of the dangers so they can inform their teens. And, we will begin educating teens in the fall about the dangers. Sometimes, it is possible to increase drug use if we don’t do anything except educate the teens about it. Teens are notorious for taking risks with the belief that everything will be fine. However, educating the teens about the dangers is an important piece in preventing many of them from using it. To decrease DXM abuse we need to increase their likelihood of getting in trouble for it, significantly decrease the availability of DXM, encourage parents to talk to their teens about DXM abuse, and then educate them about the dangers of DXM abuse.
STREET NAMES:
Dex, DXM, CCC, Triple C, Skittles, Robo, Robo trippin’, Robo-dosing, Poor Man’s PCP, Orange crush, Red Devils, Vitamin D.
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