DXM DONE RIGHT...
My friends and I have conducted an extremely wide range of experiments (several hundred - at least - over the past two years, among a group of approximately fifty individuals) with dextromethorphan hydrobromide powder, and have found several details which seem to be ever-present with this chemical:
1) THIS IS **NOT** A SUBSTANCE FOR THE IMPATIENT! It typically takes several complete, individual experiments with DXM before a person will find their "perfect dose." Due to the wide-ranging effects with the four plateaus, and extreme variance in tolerance due to body chemistry and weight, it's very difficult (even with DXM dosage calculators that are available) to figure out the exact appropriate dose for any one person. Thus, being patient, giving it a fair shake, is essential. Anyone who just tries it once, or only a couple of times, will almost invariably shrug their shoulders and say "I'm unimpressed." Conversely, anyone who sticks around, plays with the dosage and thus is able to narrow down their "perfect dose" will almost INVARIABLY say that DXM is among their alltime favorite substances. As with any other chemical out there, start low, and work your way up. Once you've found a dose you're happy with, try a couple more doses at even higher ranges, just to try it out. That's generally the best way to go.
2) The itching sensation seems to indicate that DXM is about to cross plateaus, especially when going from baseline to a plateau one experience. Taking higher doses (again, not recommended until you're familiar with the substance) will often bypass the itching sensation, but just as likely will still encounter this unpleasant sensation. More experienced DXM trippers have found numerous ways of either ignoring or bypassing the itching sensation, rendering it virtually an irrelevant detail. Taking a cool, then warm shower will help. Taking Benedryl often helps. Doing anything to take your mind off the itching - watching a movie, listening to some music, or having a deep conversation - will often work wonders. As with most trips, your mind is easily able to turn off this sensation with a little concentration. Ignoring the itching altogether will usually make it disappear rather quickly.
3) Dosing with cough syrup containing DXM is vastly different, and considerably less enjoyable, than experimenting with pure DXM powder. This is probably due to the other chemicals and ingredients which have been added to the cough syrup, while the powder contains pure dextomethorphan. Personally, I've never tried the cough syrup route, as I'm not willing to trust such a large dose to the larger pharmaceutical companies. You never REALLY know what other ingredients they've added... It's much safer, in my opinion, to stick with pure powder from a reliable source.
4) There seems to be nausea present in roughly 20% of the people trying this substance out. This may very well be due to the gelcaps that we use, and not the substance itself. Tripping with cough syrup or pills/tablets is almost a guaranteed means of bringing on nausea. Further testing will bear this out. Regardless, as with the itching in #2, this nausea can very easily be combatted. Dosing on an empty stomach helps. Doing any of the exercises listed in #2 to combat the itches can also be used to eliminate your nausea. Concentrating on the nausea will do nothing but make you feel miserable. Some people swear on using Dramamine (motion sickness pill) to help eliminate the nausea.
As for my personal experiences on DXM... I feel it's by far the best substance I've ever come across. I've had some of the greatest experiences of my life on this one, and have found it to be excellent for inducing a light trance state for aided concentration, or for heavier trip states to check into the perceived progress of my life, and where things are heading. I've experienced absolutely no negatives (from my perspective), and feel the range of feelings possible to elicit from a DXM trip make it one of the more rewarding chemicals out there. Aftereffects are universally pleasant, never any bad come downs or other unwanted mental effects. (I've found that most people who experience negative side effects from DXM either A) haven't bothered finding their proper dose through repeat experimentation, or B) are chugging the cough syrup. Just my two cents...)
lateron