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  • Trip Reports Moderator: Cheshire_Kat

Propylhexedrine - First Time - Up, Up, and AWAY!

Lady Codone

Bluelighter
Joined
Mar 6, 2008
Messages
2,134
Just thought I'd post a little sumthin' sumthin' on my first experience with Propylhexedrine, aka the mighty Benzedrex inhaler.

First off just let me say that I spent the entire preceeding night researching this chemical--the pros and cons, dangers, methods of ingestion, trip reports, and anything else I could find. I'm a very cautious person when it comes to trying new drugs as I don't wanna stroke out and DIE or have some other sort of bad trip, so I crawled the web for upwards of 5 hours in search of any info I could find on this substance, and here's what I found:

Erowid's reports were almost universally positive, with only one person experiencing a health problem/hospitalization from Benzedrex (albeit only hours after taking 200mg. or so of pure MDMA, poor bastard), and the rest were pretty positive or at least neutral.
Google led me to a number of other drug forums where people shared their experiences and knowledge on Benzedrex, many of which were extremely mixed. Some loved it, some hated it, some were too scared to try it, and some thought it was just ok. Overall, there were no real health crises encountered by most people who used this drug, which was really what I was after. The only people I saw that had died were those who injected it. There was even one man who claimed to have used propylhexedrine for 30 years! I also spent hours on Bluelight, happily perusing the site's archives on the subject.

First, a little background info on myself and my health history:
I'm 24 years old, Caucasian female, 5'2 and weigh between 125-135 pounds. I have no experience with prescription or street stimulants--all the uppers I've done include ephedra, pseudoephedrine, caffeine, yohimbe, and coca tea. I have no known heart conditions and take only one prescription medication--Prozac 20mg. once a day. I suffer from chronic fatigue of undetermined origin and have since the age of 13. My mental health profile isn't so perfect, as I suffer from Asperger's Syndrome (high-functioning Autism), depression, and mild OCD-like symptoms that worsen with anxiety. I drink poppy pod tea on a regular basis but am currently taking a 4-day break.

***Now for the good parts!***

Today I decided to pick up one of these inhalers and give it a (cautious) shot. I headed to Walgreen's thinking they wouldn't have Benzedrex, as I've never seen it before except online and many people have a hard time finding it. I scanned the aisles for about 3 minutes until, BAM!, I found it on the very bottom shelf, surrounded by other inhalers containing levo"metamfetamine" lol. I begrudgingly paid the $6.75 for one inhaler, picked up some Claritin D for my upcoming poppy tea adventures, and headed out.

Once home, I attempted to break open the inhaler with my bare hands like some sort of musclebound crackhead, with absolutely no luck. Finally, I took a hammer to it on the kitchen floor and extracted the small cotton rod inside. I waved it around in a vain attempt to evaporate off some of the solvents/oils, then cut it into 4 pieces and placed it into a cup with the juice of 3 lemon slices. I swished it around and let it soak for about an hour while watching The Real World (I know, right?), then squeezed the cotton dry and strained it into another cup. The smell was actually VERY pleasant, all lemony fresh with lavender overtones and a hint of menthol. Niiiiiice...

After reading horror stories about the taste, I made sure to have plenty of taste-masking substances around, including pomegranate green tea and a box of Junior Mints. I ate a full meal and became very tired. I decided to stick my tongue in to see what the taste was like and did so. Not bad! I took maybe one more tiny sip before getting REALLY tired and crashing out for 3 hours. It's my first full day without poppy pod tea in about a month, which always makes me extremely tired.

Upon waking, I decided to just go all in (kinda). I ate some more and started sipping the fragrant liquid at the rate of one tiny sip every 30 minutes. After one sip I started to feel SOMETHING about 10 minutes in, mainly a vision change and fidgety hands. I put on some music and started surfing the web.

Another sip and the effects became more apparent--mild euphoria, more fidgety-ness, increased energy, and a sense of general well-being and purpose. Another sip 30 or so minutes later brings me to where I am now, typing this report at an extremely increased rate of speed. The veins in my hands are somewhat raised and my blood flow feels improved, like after a nice cup of ginger root tea. I'm kinda nervous to take my pulse or think about my blood pressure, so I decide against it. But it is in the back of my mind. My vision is strangely altered, with mild tracers and some dimness, but it's not too bad. I have had no headaches yet and am generally enjoying the increased energy and clarity I'm experiencing. Music sounds slightly better, my mood is improved, and I have the motivation to do more mental work (like thinking, typing this report, reading, etc.) than usual, but abstain from any physical exertion in order to avoid overloading my heart. My appetite is not as reduced as it would be on something like ephedra, but I have no real desire to eat. I have no indigestion or heartburt from the lavender/menthol, either, which I'm very grateful for, as I've heard it can be anywhere from mildly annoying to extremely nauseating. I feel alert, energized, and focused but not jittery or moody like with large doses of caffeine.

This drug would be good for studying, sitting through a boring class, or enduring a long day at the office...anything that requires focus and lacks lightheartedness or fun. I can see it being used for ADD in some cases, too, though I don't really believe children should use stimulants for any reason. The energy is more mental than physical, as my veins feel more open and relaxed (despite it being a vasoCONSTRICTOR) while my mind craves action. Though I've never tried prescription or black market stimulants, this drug definitely embodies all the positives I'd expect from them, and maybe a little more. While methylphenidate and amphetamine can make some people jittery and depressed, propylhexedrine does none of this, at least not for me. I feel like the perfect student, the most enthusiastic employee, the most efficient thinker. In fact, I think I'll submit this trip report to Erowid and see if they accept it, as there aren't many trip reports on Benzedrex there. They published one of my other reports on hydrocodone and Asperger's Syndrome, so it's worth a shot.

Being a former ephedra user (addict?) for 2+ years in my teens/early 20s and wanting to try something like Adderall or Ritalin for awhile, I think propylhexedrine is pretty nice overall. I really abused those Mini-Thins, taking 4-5 at a time and then dancing my little heart out everyday, luckily with no serious health effects that I know of. I have chased that feeling constantly since quitting in 2004 when ephedra was yanked from the market, as I deal with chronic fatigue on a daily basis and have since I was about 13. I'm 24 now and opiates are my drug of choice, but I still have an affinity for things that speed me up.

Having never tried Adderall, Ritalin, or any other stimulant besides yerba mate, caffeine, and coca tea, I can't really compare Benzedrex to anything, but I can say that it's an interesting little OTC drug. I long to have the energy, stamina, and enthusiasm that "normal" people have, and this chemical has provided me with a nice temporary escape from my constant lethargy. Being that I'm experiencing these significant effects from such a minute dose, I'm very glad I didn't take the whole dose and spaced out my dosing over a long period. And why not be cautious? There's nothing to lose by taking it slow and allowing your body to adjust to a new substance and, honestly, I'm having a great time. This drug definitely warrants further investigation :)

Well, I guess that about covers it as far as my experience goes. In the spirit of harm reduction (and because I'm still quite tweaked), here are some things you can do to reduce the risks associated with taking Benzedrex:

*Benzedrex inhalers contain a mixture of propylhexedrine, menthol and lavender oil. This solution is said to have a very basic ph, or as one person put it, "the ph of bleach". To counteract this and aid with digestion, I added lemon juice and took 500mg. of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) with my dose. This is by no means scientific and was more of a mental reassurance for me than anything. Such a strong solution CAN have bad effects on the digestive system though, so having some sort of stomach-calming agent on hand, like ginger tea or an antacid, is not a bad idea.

*While some people consume the cotton that contains the drug, doing so can cause all sorts of problems including severe nausea, vomiting, and intestinal blockage. This is not advised. Instead, the goodies can be extracted or dissolved in hot water, lemon juice, soda, coffee, or some other acidic liquid. You can soak it overnight, for 24 hours, or for no less than 1 hour if you're pressed for time. Make sure to squeeze the cotton periodically to ring out more of the good stuff. This method works, and I totally vouch for it. Why risk your health any more than you have to?

*Because Benzedrex can raise blood pressure and pulse, it's a good idea to have some sort of downer on hand, especially if it's your first time. Benzos like Xanax and Valium are best, but Valerian root or other herbal depressants are probably effective and are better than nothing.

*Don't use Benzedrex with other stimulants or vasoconstrictors like nicotine, amphetamine, or even caffeine, as this adds to the dangers of the drug. If you're worried about increased blood pressure, having some bp meds like atenolol around doesn't hurt. To avoid increased strain on the cardiovascular system, avoid exercise or strenuous activity while on Benzedrex, and stay hydrated at all costs. THAT MEANS DRINKING WATER, not something like pop or tea, which can further dehydrate you.

*Benzedrex can cause fluctuations in blood sugar/glucose levels, so eating or drinking something sweet during your high can decrease the harshness of the post-Benzedrex "crash", which is really like a huge sugar crash in many respects. Taking this drug on a full stomach also lessens the crash and helps prevent nausea for most people.

*If you have high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, narrow-angle glaucoma or any serious health condition, avoid taking Benzedrex in a manner inconsistent with the labeling. Doing so could kill you and is not worth it.

*Those with a low or nonexistent tolerance for stimulants should start off with a very small dose to avoid a bad experience. One inhaler contains roughly 250mg. of the active ingredient, but this could be much too high a dose for a first-timer despite a lot of the advice I've seen on dosing. Use the extraction method I described, take tiny sips periodically, and wait to see how it affects you and you should be fine.

*Keep your use of Benzedrex to no more than 2-4 times a month to avoid psychological addiction and the negative health effects of stimulants.

...and that's all I can think of for the time being. If anyone can think of any other precautions regarding this drug, please add them to this thread. Smart drug users will thank you.


8(:D=D;)<38o%):)

substancecode_propylhexedrine
 
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Here's my "still kinda tweakin' but not as bad as before" follow up:

It's been about 7 hours since I took my first sip of Benzedrex/lemon sludge, and I'm still feeling pretty good. My stomach is growling a bit, but nothing too severe. I still feel like compulsively reading and typing, and my mind is very excited at discovering this easy-to-obtain substance. There's no headache, nausea, or intestinal pain to speak of, and my appetite is subdued but not totally dead. I decided to save the rest for later, take half a Xanax, and try to get some rest before dosing again this afternoon.

Although it might take some willpower and self-control to avoid dosing too frequently, I do think this substance has its place in my life, like helping to take my mind off opiates after a month-long bender. I would usually be feeling really tired and craving some poppy tea long before now, but the thought hasn't even entered my head. I don't intend to use it as a crutch or substitute for another drug, but sometimes you just need a break from whatever rut you're in, and this is it. Happy dosing.
 
i've only used propylhexedrine once and i dosed a full inhalers worth at once. for the next 7-8 hrs whenever i stood up to fast or even leaned forward to fast my blood pressure would drop so bad that i would start passing out and i just had to sit still until someone got me a few klonopins pretty much. this is the only stimulant thats made me feel that way and i've tried all the classics. thought i would share
 
Thanks for the warning! I recently read that propylhexedrine was once prescribed for obesity, but in MUCH smaller doses than what's in one inhaler--25 mg. I'm so glad I took it slow.
 
I had a really bad experience with propylhexedrine. I definitely experienced the head rush feeling of lowered blood pressure, but for 2 days. I felt overall very bad physically after the initial decent high. I had terrible peripheral stimulation and constricted blood vessels. After about 6 hours I began to hallucinate moving textures on smooth surfaces, and I kept seeing dark figures out of the corner of my eyes, that would loom towards me. I was driving at one point, and started becoming delerious... I kept turning to the passenger seat, which was empty, thinking it was my wife, and I would say something completely random but as if responding to her, like we were having a conversation, but we of course were not, since she was not there. I was aware that it wasn't real but kept doing it... it was weird and unsettling.

I took 2 days to feel normal again. I don't ever want to touch it again, and the smell of lavender now makes me feel sick.

I did have 2 inhalers within 2 hours. I had read the few reports that had been on Erowid at the time and half suggested 2 inhalers, saying 1 wasn't enough. It's possible I could find it nice with just 1 inhaler, but I'm not risking it. Plus I think I would throw it up because of the association. It honestly ruined the smell of lavender for me forever... I find it nauseating.
 
I really wish there was more info on the safety of Benzedrex compared to that of other stimulants. Is it worse than meth? As bad as coke? Less dangerous than ephedrine? I just can't seem to get any straight answers.

It would also be nice to see how it affects healthy people who use 1-3 times a month in small doses over several years. Most of the reports I see involve people who either took way too much or who experienced negative effects of eating the cotton, not from people who started small (250 mg. is NOT small!), didn't eat the cotton or mix with other drugs, and who basically followed all possible safety precautions. It would be great to know exactly HOW dangerous this drug is in very low doses over long periods of time in a healthy person.

Thanks for the input, and stay safe...
 
I lol'd at the smiley's after the original post. Great read, man. Comprehensive and detailed; very informative.

8o8)<3=D:D:!%) lmfao
 
Epic report man, really enjoyed it
Thinking i might give this a try soon, if i can find it... fingers crossed
 
Thanks! To avoid a bad/dangerous experience, don't take the whole thing at once, and don't swallow the cotton. These 2 variables seem to account for most of the negative reports on Benzedrex.
 
I tried this once, I did the most basic extraction ever and soaked the cotton rod in water and squeezed it out. The resulting liquid didn't taste good, but the flavor didn't bother me at this point. I drank probably 2/3 of the liquid, maybe a bit more.

I remember feeling extremely alert and excited (it was my first and only experience with uppers) and just feeling euphoric in a way that I had never felt before. I also noted what seemed to be extreme dilation of my airways, I felt like I had never been able to breath easier!

Unfortunately, I found that it completely destroyed my appettite and after about 7 or 8 hours I started getting symptoms of extremely high blood pressure (feeling light headed and just overall terrible) and developed the worst headache of my entire life!! I was really worried about it. I also developed the absolute hands down worst acid reflux of my life, it was like my stomach acid had free roam of my esophagus and it hurt terribly!

I had the cup in my room where I had left a little bit of my extraction and the smell of it started grossing me out I had to move the cup away from my bed so I wouldn't get sick. The other day (probably like 8 months later) I bought one of these inhalers again and was considering giving it another go, but after opening it and giving it a whiff I remembered my instant dislike and discomfort with using it and remembered what happened last time.

I guess I could always try a lower dose, but I honestly don't know if I could stomach it again. That menthol.... ugh. Makes me sick just thinking about it.

Glad you had a good time Lady Codone. Did you get that wierd prickly feeling in your hair? It's like your hairs on your body stand up on end and sort of go up and down your arms and stuff, it was a really wierd sensation and probably one of the things I found most intersting (before I got sick).
 
I did have 2 inhalers within 2 hours. I had read the few reports that had been on Erowid at the time and half suggested 2 inhalers, saying 1 wasn't enough. It's possible I could find it nice with just 1 inhaler, but I'm not risking it. Plus I think I would throw it up because of the association. It honestly ruined the smell of lavender for me forever... I find it nauseating.

I only took 1 inhaler but still found the effects overwhelming. I would also consider a smaller dose except for that god awful smell! I don't think I could ever ingest it again.
 
Once home, I attempted to break open the inhaler with my bare hands like some sort of musclebound crackhead, with absolutely no luck. Finally, I took a hammer to it on the kitchen floor and extracted the small cotton rod inside.

the cap piece w inhalation hole can be pulled out of the tube with pliers. it's not glued or anything, just a snug fit. grip it at the widest part (ie not by the hole) and twist it out of the tube.
 
Hmmm...I didn't get any sensations with my hair, but I did get a "goosebump rush" once that lasted like 3 seconds. And no headaches or indigestion, but my appetite was gone for a couple of days (not such a bad thing lol). I am very glad I took such a small dose, especially after hearing so many negative stories and seeing how potent the stuff is for myself. One inhaler's worth of liquid lasted me 4 days! I even took part of a Xanax at one point just to take the edge off a bit.

And I'll have to try the plier thing next time. I'm thinking of picking up another inhaler around the 5th (PAYDAY!!!)
 
for what it's worth.. i tried propylhexedrine once , maybe about a year ago. i took 1/2-2/3 of the whole thing (cut up the cotton into small peices so i wouldnt have a chunk of cotton in my digestive tract) . i ended up going to a shooting range for the first time and had some fun..but i crashed pretty hard. i took the stuff at 1-2 pm, and the stuff started wearing off in maybe 3-4 hours. i also recall feeling really really bodily loaded..like my body was much more stimulated than i was feeling mentally..it was a scary feeling . that's why i never tried it again..the body load is just really strong and tiring
 
^^^
Honestly reading about your experience is making me strongly consider giving this another go, just at much lower doses. I have no experience with uppers so I probably took a little bit too high of a dosage (almost the whole thing).

Probably what happened is I experienced too much vasoconstriction from taking a large dose, I was feeling euphoric too until I started to feel ill so I see no reason why a smaller dose might not affect me more positively.

Hmmm...I didn't get any sensations with my hair, but I did get a "goosebump rush" once that lasted like 3 seconds

I had those goose bump sensations going on everywhere, it was like my scalp would start to prickle and then I would sense them moving down my body and onto my arms, it was really strange. It actually reminds me a bit of the goosebumps that I was getting when I would withdrawal from Poppy Pod Tea, although it was more pleasant.
 
Yeah, I can't imagine taking even 1/3 of the whole 250 mg. at once...it was just so strong! And I was really sped up for like a day and a half off of that first dose, which is weird considering so many people say it wears off in a few hours.

If you do try it again, I'd suggest cutting the cotton up into like 4 pieces and soaking it in lemon juice for a little while, then taking tiny, miniscule sips over the course of a few hours. I stretched that one inhaler out for about 4-5 days and managed to get buzzed each time. I think the problems come from the high dose that people mistakenly take all at once because it's all in one inhaler, but 1 inhaler does NOT = one dose, at least not for me. From what I read, propylhexedrine was used as a weight loss pill at one time, but only at 25mg., so anything approaching 250 mg. could definitely be dangerous.

Good luck!
 
Well today I went out and bought some lemon juice to soak the cotton in again... I had almost given up on trying it and finally said fuck it and dumped some lemon juice in a cup and started soaking the cotton.

Now, I haven't tried it yet, still needs to soak for at least another 30 minutes, but the smell became much more tolerable once I put it in the lemon juice. I would even go as far as to say it smelled good! You were absolutely right about the lemony fresh with lavender overtones smell, haha. I am going to keep the dosage down this time and see what happens...
 
I know, right? How adding lemon juice to it takes away that "rotten fish" smell is beyond me, but it sure does help!

I picked up my second inhaler the other day and did it a little different--adding a little bit of hot water to the lemon juice/propyl mix to dilute it a bit. I found this helped make it easier to control the dose, i.e. no having to pop Xanax to bring down a racing heart or anything. And that hair-tingling thing? I finally felt it, and it's pretty nice hehe.

Good luck with your experiment!
 
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