What is Dextrorphan (DXO)?
Dextrorphan is a metabolite of DXM (i.e., the body converts DXM to dextrorphan). The conversion from DXM to DXO occurs via removal of the methyl group at position 6, a process called “O-demethylation”. DXO is very similar chemically to DXM, and reacts with the same receptors in the body, but with a very different spectrum. Whereas DXM is strongest at the PCP2 and sigma receptors, DXO primarily targets the NMDA receptor (see Section 10). The practical upshot is that the dissociative and intoxicating or “stoning” effects are stronger with DXO, whereas the stimulation, cognitive alterations, delusions, and psychotomimetic (literally, “psychosis-like”) effects are stronger with DXM. Most DXM users find some balance between the two to be the most pleasurable. Too much sigma activity is usually regarded as dysphoric (strongly unpleasant) and disturbing, and if prolonged, may be dangerous (101,135). Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about converting DXM to DXO; the body does it for you via
