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Valproic acid/depakene and GABA upregulation?

rakketakke

rakketakke

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So I just got this anti-seizure medication prescribed for a sleep disorder8( . Anyhow after some searching on pubmed I found that it is said to upregulate GABA. Once in a while I definetly like to dose a bit of GHB so in theory this could be seen as a preemptive supplement before dosing? Or would this be perfect for GHB withdrawals?

Thanks in advance

http://www.medicinenet.com/valproic_acid/page2.htm
The most popular theory is that valproic acid exerts its effects by increasing the concentration of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12830502
[Influence of ivadal and depakene chrono on sleep structure in patients with epilepsy].

The mechanism of action of valproic acid is unknown. Effects of the drug may be related, at least in part, to increased brain concentrations of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. Animal studies have shown that valproic acid inhibits GABA transferase and succinic aldehyde dehydrogenase, enzymes which are important for GABA catabolism. Results of one studY indicate the drug inhibits neuronal activity by increasing potassium conductance. In animals, valproic acid protects against seizure induced by electrical stimulation, as well as those induced by pentylenetetrazol (McEvoy, 1991).

Can anyone with more experience chime in on this?
 
GHB has more action than just elevating GABA levels. Valproate might be useful to make w/d more mild but other than that I would not mess around with it.
 
Yes I know it targets a plethora of receptors but I thought it could be helpful anyhow; i'll be on 500mg daily, I have it as a prescription for a sleep disorder; let's hope that turns out to be positive for once.

Thanks
 
Yep, given its promiscuous nature, it also can have a lot of side effects. It's interesting you were prescribed it for a sleep disorder. Is that the first thing tried? Did you take GHB (Xyrem) to self-medicate the sleep disorder?

rakketakke said:
Yes I know it targets a plethora of receptors but I thought it could be helpful anyhow; i'll be on 500mg daily, I have it as a prescription for a sleep disorder; let's hope that turns out to be positive for once.

Thanks
Click to expand...
 
Yes, doctors prescribed me loprazolam, trazolam, alprazolam for sleep but I didn't like any of those; they did not work; atleast now I understand my doctor now with the GABA-upregulation part but i'm a bit afraid of the side-effects.

I self-medicated myself with GHB, indeed. Nothing can beat it, wake up refreshed, fall asleep easily and stay asleep (as long as you aren't dosing too frequently and too high)

Mostly I thought this could be helpful is because n general, the neurotransmitter GABA acts to reduce the firing of the dopaminergic neurons in the tegmentum and substantia nigra. The sedative/hypnotic effect of GHB is mediated by its stimulation of GABA(B) receptors, though GHB also modulates the GABA(A) receptor complex too. The main effect of GABA(B) agonism is normally muscle relaxation. Whatever the exact GABA(A), GABA(B), and GHB-specific mechanisms by which GHB works when taken at a right dose this is the exact sleep aid I am looking for if valproic acid can even improve this i'd be ever so happy.
 
I don't know man. I think there is as good a chance that it will make your sleep disorder worse. The side effects profile of VPA is immense. I have epilepsy and I went through nine drug regimens until the right one was found and my doctors and I avoided VPA and put it as a last option (which I fortunately didn't need).

If GHB really was good for you, then you should get Xyrem prescribed with the right dose you need to sleep and use it as prescribed for sleep.

It is possible that VPA will help if your sleep disorder is related to muscle movement and relaxation. But it has many nasty side effects potentially: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valproic_acid#Adverse_effects

Just thinking randomly, there's a muscle relaxer called tizanidine (unscheduled, unlike GHB which is schedule I and Xyrem which is schedule 2) which I find is really great for getting me to sleep. I find that taking 4mg is enough to knock me out in like 20 minutes particularly if I've had a long day. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tizanidine You can get this prescribed easily I think and some countries just sell it OTC.


rakketakke said:
Yes, doctors prescribed me loprazolam, trazolam, alprazolam for sleep but I didn't like any of those; they did not work; atleast now I understand my doctor now with the GABA-upregulation part but i'm a bit afraid of the side-effects.

I self-medicated myself with GHB, indeed. Nothing can beat it, wake up refreshed, fall asleep easily and stay asleep (as long as you aren't dosing too frequently and too high)

Mostly I thought this could be helpful is because n general, the neurotransmitter GABA acts to reduce the firing of the dopaminergic neurons in the tegmentum and substantia nigra. The sedative/hypnotic effect of GHB is mediated by its stimulation of GABA(B) receptors, though GHB also modulates the GABA(A) receptor complex too. The main effect of GABA(B) agonism is normally muscle relaxation. Whatever the exact GABA(A), GABA(B), and GHB-specific mechanisms by which GHB works when taken at a right dose this is the exact sleep aid I am looking for if valproic acid can even improve this i'd be ever so happy.
Click to expand...
 
Unfortunately i'm in a psychiatric ward for now and they stuff me with whatever they like, I can't get anything prescribed legally because they classified me as an addict.

Guess i'll take it for a week, see if I notice any improvement, if not it's one to flush down.

It's going to sleep (I always have energy), falling asleep (which takes hours), and staying asleep (waking up multiple times per night)
 
Ask for 4m of tizanidine since your muscle feel really stiff and you want to relax it; it's unscheduled for a reason. It will at least get you to sleep. It is exactly the kind of drug that an addict would be given.


rakketakke said:
Unfortunately i'm in a psychiatric ward for now and they stuff me with whatever they like, I can't get anything prescribed legally because they classified me as an addict.

Guess i'll take it for a week, see if I notice any improvement, if not it's one to flush down.

It's going to sleep (I always have energy), falling asleep (which takes hours), and staying asleep (waking up multiple times per night)
Click to expand...
 
tizanidine is awesome for a 4 hour nap! works wonders. used it to sleep coming off of heroin and xanax. 26 days no sleep.
 
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