From: bower@pecan.cns.udel.edu (tsb)
Subject: Re: Robo
Organization: none 
Distribution: na 
Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1992 02:31:06 GMT


I felt the same way at one time.  I heard a few scattered stories
about its amusing potential, but no one could tell me if it were
"bad" for you.  To the best of my research efforts (I spent
the better part of a week going through the chemical abstracts
in my Univeristy library), I found no evidence of deleterious
effects.

It's apparently (reasonably) harmless and non-addictive, although
the levo isomer may be habit-forming.  This doesn't mean much, since
you don't drink levomethorphan HBr, you drink dextromethorphan HBr.

Don't try the DM polystirex (Delsym), it's a slow release form.  It
is purported to last 50% longer than the faster absorbing HBr salt.
From my experience, I've found the "drips" (as we call them) to
last just about the right length.  I wouldn't want it to go on
any longer.

Stay away from alcohol, and don't take Happy Harry's cough control.
The one time we tried Happy Harry's with DM, 3 out of 4 of us
became violently ill.  We attribute this to the 1.4% alcohol
in the syrup creating a cross reaction.

Bring a friend or three along with you.  It's more fun in groups, but
avoid large social gatherings.  We found them to be unpleasant.  Try
to have a dark, peaceful setting available, with some cool music that
you like a lot.  Funky techo or smooth vocals pleased us a lot.
(We liked Enya, Cocteau Twins, a little Shamen...)

We preferred dripping at night.  Our pupils tended to dilate a LOT,
so darkness isn't a problem anyway.  I've heard of people doing it
during the day, but we won't drip before 8 pm.  Don't worry about
feeling tired.  You won't, trust me...falling asleep may be a 
problem tho 8-).

Recommend dosage?  I've been told by some women who used to drink it
that all they needed was 2 oz (strength unspecified, it usually comes
in 10mg DM HBr per dose or in extra strength 15mg version) for an
enjoyable time.  I've found that I like to stick around 5-6 oz
of a variety that comes with 10mg per dose.  That works out to
about 300 to 360 mg of DM HBr.  I weigh 150 lbs, so you may wish
to scale accordingly.  I've heard of people drinking whole family
size 12 oz bottles.  Wow.  :-P

Some people don't like the taste.  I think it's mostly psychological.
If you try to down 6 oz of cough syrup with the thoughts like,
"Gee, I'm drinking 6 oz of sickly sweet liquid with the consistancy
of motor oil", of course you'll get ill.  In any event, washing 
it down with warm water will make it go away.  I like to drink 4 oz
all at once, then wait a while, then polish off 2 oz more or so.

Effects take at least an hour to set in.  I find it amusing to sit
down and calmly relax.  Then stand up all of a sudden after the movie
is over.  You'll suddenly realize just how much this stuff is affecting
you.  Many of its effects are subtle.  Work with it.  You'll get out
of it what you put into it.  Some people say they hallucinate and talk
to Jesus.  Others say they can't.  I find I can create visuals, but
it is an active effort.  Things don't just reach out and make 
themselves known.  Another interesting effect we've discovered is
DM's powerful focusing effect.  You can train all your attention
onto a single item, and ignore everything else.  Very amusing
when playing video games.  Also helpful for ignoring things you don't
like, or people who bore you.  If you want, you can cause yourself
to become very "aware."

To date, I've dripped 5 times over the last year.  I've enjoyed every
one (even the time we drank Happy Harry's brand and got ill), and
every one was slightly different.  I think it's something that want's
to be explored to find it's full potential.  We compare it to acid
in that respect, and call it the "little acid" in jest.  That's where
the "dripping" description comes from.  However, it's psychological
effects are nowhere near as forceful as acid's (or so I'm told.  I've
never dropped myself.  Nor have I ever tried ANY other drug, 'cept
maybe alcohol...).  Find a friend or two, go out and buy a bottle
for each of you.  Down it early on a Friday night, and be prepared
to stay up for the next 6-12 hours (depending on your mood.)
Listen to some music, dance, spin, go for a walk out in the woods
or on a college campus or in a safe neighborhood in the middle 
of the night.  Watch a computer screen saver.  Create mental images
on the ceiling.  Lay on your back and imaging YOU are willing the
earth to turn.  Watch the way the light spills in through venetian
blinds.  Go outside and poke your bare toes in a puddle of water,
and tell yourself you are at the beach.  Imagine the world is
moving much more slowly now...

Have fun.  Let me know how it goes.  The only things I can warn
you about are:

1) Remember your thoughts aren't perfectly rational.  Don't try
   to do stupid things, like climb on bridges or play in the
   freeway.  You'll hurt yourself.
2) Some people get queasy from drinking cough syrup.  If you do,
   wash it down with warm water.  Don't be upset if you puke.
   The one time I did, I instantly felt enormously better, and
   went on to have an excellent evening.
3) Don't be disappointed if you don't notice anything right away.
   It takes an hour to first set in, and maybe another hour
   to hit peak.  Besides, a lot of the wonderful things you can
   do with DM have to be brought out from within yourself.
   Philosophize. 

I couldn't even begin to describe all the things I've seen and felt
while on DM.  If you're willing, try it yourself and see what 
happens.  Just remember, as with any drug, go into it with a 
positive mental attitude and you'll have a much more enjoyable
experience.  Try to have fun, and you will.  ;-)

Newsgroups: alt.drugs