Low dose diazepam causes sensitization?

[WilliamSSS]

Hi all,
According to the following study, there's a threshold below which diazepam causes sensitization rather than tolerance. The mechanism is not explained. If this were the case, this would be incredible useful for those trying to taper of benzodiazepines, no? Does anyone have any idea how this works?

The following study explores the dose related effects of diazepam (sensitization or tolerance)..
http://if-pan.krakow.pl/pjp/pdf/2012/5_1116.pdf
" Treatment with the lowest dose (0.5 mg/kg) of diazepam resulted in potentiation of the sedative effect of acute challenge with 2 mg/kg diazepam thus confounding the detection of the anxiolytic effect of diazepam."

I'm aware of claims that low doses of amphetamines might reset tolerance and cause hypersensitivity to amphetamines later on (this is mediated through de dopaminergic system). Could this be the case for benzos as well?
(Diazepam and dopamine).
http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/364/1/145
Evidence for a role for dopamine in the diazepam locomotor stimulating effect. - PubMed - NCBI

Why (not)?

 

[pally pete]

Hi all,
According to the following study, there's a threshold below which diazepam causes sensitization rather than tolerance. The mechanism is not explained. If this were the case, this would be incredible useful for those trying to taper of benzodiazepines, no? Does anyone have any idea how this works?

The following study explores the dose related effects of diazepam (sensitization or tolerance)..
http://if-pan.krakow.pl/pjp/pdf/2012/5_1116.pdf
" Treatment with the lowest dose (0.5 mg/kg) of diazepam resulted in potentiation of the sedative effect of acute challenge with 2 mg/kg diazepam thus confounding the detection of the anxiolytic effect of diazepam."

I'm aware of claims that low doses of amphetamines might reset tolerance and cause hypersensitivity to amphetamines later on (this is mediated through de dopaminergic system). Could this be the case for benzos as well?
(Diazepam and dopamine).
http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/364/1/145
Evidence for a role for dopamine in the diazepam locomotor stimulating effect. - PubMed - NCBI

Why (not)?

I generally seem to notice whether I'm tapering (Which I'm pretty much almost always trying to do with very little success) or using a maintenaince dose.. that around 20 mg is my optimum dose (I weigh around 85 kg) I find at/around that dose, that I feel my most stable, in relation to my anxiety, sleep and other psychiatric indicators. So that research would sort of make sense..??

I'm currently on 40 mg per day, down from using 50 mg for 6 days.. Hoping to get to that magic 20 mg dose as soon as possible. Albeit in as smooth and sensible way as possible. I'm not advising anybody else to cut their dose at the rate I cut mine... It's just that I find I can cut quite easy in at least 5-10 mg incriments when I'm above 30 mg.