it does pass the blood brain barrier, but its kicked back out by an enzyme, p-glycoprotien i think? anyways, 99% of lopes effects are peripheral, but some can stay and cause central effects, but im more convinced that most of lopes effects come from down stream changes in ion channels and nerve impulse transmission, but i have no evidence to make a good argument for that. If you taper well, that shouldnt be a problem, as long as you take the propper time to stabilize after every drop you make. Also, even if there was a limit under which lope has no central effects, it would still cause peripheral effects which would reduce the level of withdrawal you'd feel, so you'd still avoid the chills, nausea/diharrea, severe rls, etc............to some extent. If what you said was true, you would still feel depression and anxiety, but the physical w/d would be pretty tame if experienced at all.If you're taking 120mg/day, then dropping, say, 20mgs every week or other week, you would be adjusted to the new dose before you make another drop. so you wouldn't be in withdrawal all of a sudden unless your drop was unreasonably steep.