DXM'S EFFECTS ON THE KIDNEYS.
ION EXCHANGE, WASTE REMOVAL AND SERUM PH
You might recall an ongoing argument about
GHB. Should you make it with KOH (potassium) or NaOH (sodium)? If you make it w/potassium, then you can actually ‘overdose’ on the potassium and… well, look it up yourself if you’re interested.
If you make it w/sodium, then you can ‘overdose’ on sodium, causing a serious depletion in the essential—and short-supplied potassium. This is because the body’s watery environment exists in homeostasis—in other words, your body uses MANY mechanisms to keep its pH normal (~7.2), in other words, your organs make sure that there aren’t too many negative charges (“basic” or “alkaline”) and to make sure there aren’t too many positive charges (“acidic” or “acidosis”). Some positive ions: H+, Na+, Ca++, Mg+. Some negative ions: OH-, Cl-, K-, and more.
“Anion Gap” is simply a measure of your blood pH minus the concentration of “normal” ions—mostly sodium and chloride.
Equation for A.G. = Serum Sodium - Chloride - Bicarbonate
HIGH ANION GAP: Most types of acidosis that are UNNATURAL are a result of strange positive ions (or “acids”) not normally found in the blood.
Causes include: Metabolic acidosis (lactic acid), Methanol poisoning, Uremia (uric acid from kidney failure), Diabetes (ketones), paraldehyde poisoning, Iron, INH (a medicine), Ethylene Glycol, Salicilates (aspirin=”salicylic acid”).
LOW ANION GAP**:**THIS is what you get from DXM!!!
Causes include: Paraproteinemia (too many weird, charged un-natural proteins, e.g. Multiple Myeloma), Hyponatremia (low sodium), Hypermagnesemia (high Mag level), Hypoalbuminemia (too LITTLE albumin—a fancy word for normal blood protein), and…. Lastly:
Spurious Hyperchloremia (from Bromide toxicity)
So, essentially, DXM toxicity seems to exhibit TWO contradictory adverse effects upon the body's normal serum pH:
1. Low anion Gap, caused by spurious Hyperchloremia from Bromide toxicity and
2. Metabolic acidosis (higher anion gap)
What do these conflicting messages mean?
Well, for starters, they both practically PROVE that DXM is toxic to your body's aqueous serum environment. At the very minimum, DXM causes heavy glucose and abnormal ion loads on fluid homeostatic mechanisms, meaning stress and damage to the kidneys and pancreas.
Rhabdomyolysis.
In addition to these findings, there has been reported several cases of DXM effecting serum protein levels (increased protein from MUSCULAR CELL DEATH AND BREAKDOWN, aka
Rhabdomyolysis). From an unknown mechanism, probably not unlike Dantrolene Poisoning, DXM can apparently cause rhabdomyolysis--a condition that causes permanent, irreversible kidney failure.
Remember, these effects are
in addition to the liver issues.
Just to repeat myself ONE more time, it certainly seems that the effect of DXM poisoning is to shift your body's plasma ion balance in both directions, skewing the normal balancing act we measure by serum pH. DXM causes increased anion gap and metabolic acidosis, and hyperchloremia (low Cl-) and low anion gap.
The biggest danger from this is when your kidneys cannot handle the continuous assault--trying to detoxify the blood and return proper balance to pH and ion concentrations.
ADDICTION.
Experienced DXM users describe a rapidly developing and persistent tolerance to the drug.6 Dependence is
rarely described.24-26 Quote:
| Although DXM is not thought to have addictive properties, susceptible individuals may develop craving and habitual use of the drug.5,27 An abstinence syndrome may be associated with cessation of DXM abuse that is characterized by dysphoria and intense cravings.24,26,28,29 |
Quote:
| The dissociatives can be highly addictive to a minority of users. In comparison, the marijuana and the serotonergic psychedelics (LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, peyote, DMT) are many times safer. |
By literature reported in 1994, there were only 2 reported fatalities from DXM overdoses. At this time, the Medical Community was almost completely OBLIVIOUS to the underground abuse of DXM.
Even though there were 2 KNOWN CASES of Death from DXM, there were NO reports and NO RESEARCH describing the effects of chronic abuse. The first report of long-term usage was described in 1994.
It demonstrated significant cognitive deterioration that was associated with prolonged use of DM.
Since 1994, other effects have been described, and most are likely linked to DXM abuse. Toxic psychosis and cognitive deteriorationcan arise from chronic use of the drug.24,28,29
TRANSLATION:
Long Term Use Could Very Likely Cause:
1. Toxic Psychosis: this would be akin to "Tripping All the Time." Paranoia, Fear, Helplessness, Detachment, Dissociation, etc. It is known that psychotic breaks are more common in the upper two plateaus (3&4). (*reference*)
2. Cognitive Degeneration: Put simply, this is when someone becomes "dumb." There are indications from patient cases of declining intelligence, with repeated, toxic exposure to dissociatives such as DXM, PCP, & K. Since this effect is difficult to directly measure, the effects have been demonstrated through indirect measurement and observation. I have a few reports with detailed methodology with possible logical flaws if anyone is interested. One would be foolish not to heed this warning, because no one knows for certain if a 'small' case of psychosis or cognitive decline will be able to 'recover.' In cases of high-dose, repeated assault, damage to cognition appears permanent.
3. Liver Failure--to some degree. Liver disease is not always cut-and-dry, nor is it always characterized by a single, definitive STRIKE to the liver, (followed by hepatic shut-down and death). Instead, & more frequently, liver failure is a progressive disease that begins with a series of permanent toxic events... and it is often slow and insidious in progression.
4. Kidney Failure--again, like the liver, the kidneys will sustain a heavy amount of abuse (including interruption of blood-supply for several minutes) before they begin to lose their normal functioning ability. Essentially, what we're creating--
with chronic recreational DXM--are
significantly WEAKENED hepatic and renal systems.
Perhaps this can be thought of in terms of 'aging.'
Take for example, a 21 year-old Chronic, High-Dose DXM User. This individual's kidneys and liver could very
likely be compared to those of someone MUCH OLDER than those of your peers. (e.g. a 50 year-old's liver &/or kidneys).
This analogy comes from deductive reasoning, based SOLEY on the nature of the drug's pharmacological profile at so-called 'recreational' doses. I do not have
actual proof that a 21 year-old has a 50 year-old man's kidneys &/or liver, but one does not necessarily need proof to support a claim that hepatotoxic substances cause aging of the liver; nor that kidney-toxins will induce renal changes.These are
typical sequelae of people who suffer the type of insults which occur in the setting of recreational-dose DXM.
Cause and Effect Pattern. Just like breathing in flu-virus vapors will OFTEN lead to you catching the flu... or like when you inject your muscle with sulfuric acid, it will hurt like ****.
Long Term Use May Also Cause:
5. True Liver Failure--without a transplant, you will die from this. Remember: slow, agonizing death. Usually takes 2-3 days to die, sometimes weeks.
6. Complete Kidney Failure--these people have arterio-venous shunts surgically placed under the skin, connecting artery-to-vein. They must be dialyzed twice a week. They do not make urine. They will die without constant dialysis or a kidney transplant.
7. Pancreatic Failure--a distant possibility. would be horrible. very painful. causes Type I Diabetes (no more insulin production). Permanent loss of control over blood sugar levels. these people have no more insulin to lower blood sugar, no more glucagon to raise blood sugar.
8. ?Permanent Brain Damage?--Olsney's Lesions? maybe this should be #1 on the list?? who knows...? scientists certainly do not know. Sure, Dr. Olsney's claim from his original research does NOT support the existence of Olsney's Lesions in humans, (and thus, it cannot attribute them to DXM, ketamine, PCP, dog**** or anything else--since we don't know if they exist).
HOWEVER, just because his deductive methodology was flawed certainly does NOT suggest that these lesions do NOT exist! That's like saying that when your local grocery store doesn't have any strawberries in stock for 3 months straight, that there ISN'T a shortage in the local strawberry supply,
just because you don't have any proof that there IS a shortage! It's impossible to prove a negative statement without proper investigation, and this is a serious fallacy in logic that I believe the internet has helped propagate. This is a new sort of "group-think."
In other words: Let's say that I have a belief that is totally WRONG. Like, for example, I believe that it's OK, and even 'good for my health' to drink a little shot of gasoline every single day. Now, with the internet, I can find other 'gasoline-drinkers.' (
not really!
) Just because I can now assemble a group of 14 people, 400 people, or 2,000 people all together from all over the world, into a
chat-room, who
all agree with me on something that is simply
WRONG or UNFOUNDED, that does
NOT mean that I am now
CORRECT.
I'm still WRONG just like the other 19,999 people in the chat-room.
DXM OVERDOSES AND DEATH.
There have been several DXM overdose deaths documented in medical and media reports. Even taken by itself, DXM overdoses have been FATAL. Lethal toxicity starts at around 20mg/kg (about 2,000mg for a 220lb person).
Redosing.
Overdose is possible while redosing; occasionally, an overdose has come from a person who is already under the influence of DXM after attempting to "re-dose." Why does this cause overdose? Several possible reasons, but the main cause is because of a cumulative effect on dosing, starting from the original dose. Also, it has been speculated that the user may not be able to accurately weigh the next dose, or may forget how much s/he has already taken.
It is suggested that those who plan to redose with pure DXM weigh all doses in advance, then set their supply in a place where it is inconvenient to reach.
Methods of DXM Administration.
Oral: Best, and essentially, the only method of taking.
Injection: almost impossible; doesn't dissolve except in enormous quantities of water & hazardous
*Smoking:
DXM is toxic to smoke. DXM HBr releases
ammonia and
other toxins and
should never be smoked.
OLNEY'S LESIONS, NAN, and HOLES IN YOUR BRAIN.
William White claimed high doses of DXM may cause brain damage in the form of
NMDA antagonist neurotoxicity. Olneys lesions, also known as "NMDA Antagonist Neurotoxicity" or "NAN", are a form of brain damage caused by high doses of NMDA antagonists...
Quote:
| Olney's Lesions (holes in the brain) have been observed in lab mice by giving them lethal doses of DXM. Olney's Lesions have not been observed in primates, or in sub-anaesthetic doses even in mice. |
Quote:
| John Olney demonstrated that high doses of NMDA antagonist (like DXM), caused brain cell DEATH in animal studies. These characteristic brain lesions are thus named Olney's lesions. The doses required to INSTANTLY produce damage are far in excess of human recreational doses, but there have NOT been studies on long-term, lower-dose use. |
ARGUMENT AGAINST OLNEY'S LESIONS.
White's article has been challenged by Cliff Anderson in his paper
The Bad News Isn't In. White has later retracted his original claims in a response to Cliff Anderson's paper though he still warns of possible long term damage from DXM.
--There is much information left to post in this area---
ANTIDEPRESSANTS... SEROTONIN SYNDROME and DEATH!
Before any use of DXM, extra caution should be taken by those taking either prescribed prescription or OTC medications, particularly antidepressants. Why?
1. Serotonin Syndrome. With antidepressants there is risk of developing serotonin syndrome (Serotonin syndrome is a condition caused by an excess of serotonin in the brain. A rare, but serious, potentially life-threatening medical condition. Symptoms may be classed into three groups:
a.
cognitive effects: mental confusion, hypomania, agitation, headache, coma
b.
autonomic effects: shivering, sweating, fever,
hypertension, tachycardia, nausea, diarrhea
c.
somatic effects: myoclonus/clonus (muscle twitching), hyperreflexia, tremor
2. Liver Enzyme Inhibition. MANY meds are substrates or Inhibitors of the SAME liver enzyme used to clean out toxic DXM.
Quote:
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are one such drug that inhibits the P450-2D6 enzyme responsible for breaking DXM down into DXO (Otton & Wu, 1993), This has the effect of minimizing hallucinations but maximizing confusion and can cause the trip to literally last for days.
A first or second plateau trip is probably nothing to worry about, though you may not enjoy all the effects your non-medicated friends might. |
Quote:
DXM should not in any case be used by people who are taking a Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI: Any of a group of antidepressant drugs that inhibit the action of monoamine oxidase in the brain and so allow monoamines to accumulate). MAOI's should be avoided whether they occur in prescription medication or from natural sources, such as harmala. This may cause serotonin syndrome, and has been fatal (Bem & Peck, 1992).
Harmala, also known as telepathine and banisterine, a blanket term for a group of is a blanket term for a group of naturally occurring beta-carbolines including harmine, and others. The harmala alkaloids are tryptamines and monoamine oxidase inhibitors found in Syrian rue seeds and Banisteriopsis caapi.They also act as serotonin antagonists and CNS stimulants. In Caapi, it is used in combination with DMT to form Ayahuasca. |
Harmala alkaloids are also found many other plants, including
tobacco and
passion flower.
Lots to do in Vegas... How long are you staying and where are you planning on staying/going in Vegas?
