Safer/healthier, Ritalin (methylphenidate) or Valium?

[JohnBoy2000]

I just need to edge my dopamine up a little.

Valium is sedative but gives you incredibly sweet dreams and the awakening is normally a smile filled one.

Methylphenidate being a stimulant though considered mild, is still a stimulant.

I limited my dose to 10 mg today, and I think split into two 5 mg doses afternoon and evening, could work.

20 mg feels like it goes too high, then dips too low and makes me to on edge.

Amphetamines to me are poison, and though meth is utter bliss, the six weeks after coming down are emotional hell.

Before this I had been using three cups of coffee before 2 pm to get my stimulation/dopamine to a bearable level, but I need something a little stronger so I can have a "time out" from "the grind" for a week or two.

 

[paranoid android]

Neither one is inherently dangerous. I take benzos almost everyday (with breaks) and am fine. My bro takes ritalin for adhd with no problems. It's when you abuse either that they become a problem. But ya take breaks with valium for sure although valium doesent work on dopamine anyway

 

[JohnBoy2000]

Neither one is inherently dangerous. I take benzos almost everyday (with breaks) and am fine. My bro takes ritalin for adhd with no problems. It's when you abuse either that they become a problem. But ya take breaks with valium for sure although valium doesent work on dopamine anyway

GABA, right?

Certainly feels like some secondary dopamine effects.

Definitely has that "happy pill" type of feel to it.

The "happy" or euphoric feeling (often described as a mild sense of well-being, relief, or pleasure) arises indirectly through effects on the brain's reward system, particularly involving dopamine in the mesolimbic pathway (ventral tegmental area → nucleus accumbens).

Benzodiazepines like Valium can disinhibit dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Here's how:

• Dopamine neurons in the VTA are normally under tonic inhibition by nearby GABAergic interneurons.
• Valium enhances GABA activity on those inhibitory interneurons → reducing their ability to suppress the dopamine neurons (disinhibition).
• This leads to increased firing rates of dopamine neurons → more frequent dopamine release events in reward-related areas like the nucleus accumbens.

 

[paranoid android]

GABA, right?

Certainly feels like some secondary dopamine effects.

Definitely has that "happy pill" type of feel to it.

Ya gaba a specifically. Maybe you have anxiety and thats why valium makes you feel good? Benzos make me feel somewhat euphoric to but i have anxietu

 

[JohnBoy2000]

I skipped the valium.

And here's an unusual outcome.

Less is more, with methylphenidate.

I tried 10 mg and felt overly stimmed, but I needed a dopamine boost.

So went to to 5 mg and felt lovely and functional, without that "stimmed up" feeling.

Waited 6 hours and re-dosed as the affect was wearing off.

Is that an unusual ritalin dosing protocol?

So many reports say ritalin is "weak" as a stim, nothing compared to amphetamines or meth (both of which come right from hell, for me).

To me it's great, provided the dose isn't excessive.

 

[paranoid android]

I skipped the valium.

And here's an unusual outcome.

Less is more, with methylphenidate.

I tried 10 mg and felt overly stimmed, but I needed a dopamine boost.

So went to to 5 mg and felt lovely and functional, without that "stimmed up" feeling.

Waited 6 hours and re-dosed as the affect was wearing off.

Is that an unusual ritalin dosing protocol?

So many reports say ritalin is "weak" as a stim, nothing compared to amphetamines or meth (both of which come right from hell, for me).

To me it's great, provided the dose isn't excessive.

I took a 36mg extended release pill around 3 hours ago and i quite like it. Not quite as likable as dexedrine though

 

[TheLightBringer]

Methylphenidate is not physically addictive so I would always pick that over diazepam for long term use.

Although if you want a slight push over caffeine then nicotine pouches would do you good

 

[JohnBoy2000]

I took a 36mg extended release pill around 3 hours ago and i quite like it. Not quite as likable as dexedrine though

The mention of above of the "rushing" sensation from valium being its affect on anxiety, might have been accurate.

On dosing it now, it makes me drowsy.

Before during anxiety episodes, it was euphoric.

I would have no impulse to use it now, does nothing for me at all.

I've settled on 5 mg methylphenidate for now, anything higher and the drawbacks outweigh the benefits.

5 mg seems to "take the edge off", and lasts from about 4 pm until late evening.

Unusual as during phases I've been prescribed it in the past, 20 mg twice a day was the required dose.

 

[JohnBoy2000]

Methylphenidate is not physically addictive so I would always pick that over diazepam for long term use.

Although if you want a slight push over caffeine then nicotine pouches would do you good

"Patches"?

Are they over the counter in pharmacies or where can I get them?

Is the dose consistent or can you get different patch strengths?

 

[BadBoy377]

I think @TheLightBringer means pouches as they say. Little fibre rectangles containing synthetic nicotine not derived from tobacco. Put one under your top lip sit back and enjoy smoking without the hassle of going outside in the cold or making your lungs full of shite.

They're pretty good but also very addictive. I fucking love the the fuckers.

 

[MedicinalUser247]

These are some pretty low doses compared to what I use to do. The highest dose of Methylphenidate I ever took was 150mg.

 

[JohnBoy2000]

I think @TheLightBringer means pouches as they say. Little fibre rectangles containing synthetic nicotine not derived from tobacco. Put one under your top lip sit back and enjoy smoking without the hassle of going outside in the cold or making your lungs full of shite.

They're pretty good but also very addictive. I fucking love the the fuckers.

Used for smoking cessation?

 

[TheLightBringer]

Used for smoking cessation?

Nicotine pouches or ”snus” as we call it in Sweden. Generally not marketed for smoking cessation (at least here), although the claim gets thrown around by some producers as to not make it seem like another addictive product.

But a lot of snus is much stronger than smoking a cigarette, for ”all-white” snus (no tobacco) I like velo currently.

If I had to compare it to smoking id say:
Snus: ~30 - 45 minute nicotine high (depends how long you keep the pouch in) but no rush once you build tolerance

Cigarette: ~10 minute nicotine high + the initial ”rush” one gets from smoking

Snus is a lot safer and doesnt have all the carcinogens that tobacco has, but one can argue that the strong alkaline they put in snus damages the gums overtime and can cause changes on the cells of your gums making you more prone to oral cancer, and nicotine increasing angiogenesis through NAchr-a-7 potentially promoting existing tumour growth…

Still tobacco free pouches are vastly safer long term compared to cigarettes

 

[lost weekend]

The mention of above of the "rushing" sensation from valium being its affect on anxiety, might have been accurate.

On dosing it now, it makes me drowsy.

Before during anxiety episodes, it was euphoric.

I would have no impulse to use it now, does nothing for me at all.

I've settled on 5 mg methylphenidate for now, anything higher and the drawbacks outweigh the benefits.

5 mg seems to "take the edge off", and lasts from about 4 pm until late evening.

Unusual as during phases I've been prescribed it in the past, 20 mg twice a day was the required dose.

The honeymoon with diazapam doesn't last long
Clonazepam is far better for anxiety, lasts longer ,less abuse potential
But they are all best avoided

 

[BadBoy377]

Used for smoking cessation?

Could be. Or maybe just to get a hit when smoking not possible.

I think most people just enjoy as is.

Some just end up with two addictions...

 

[BadBoy377]

Nicotine pouches or ”snus” as we call it in Sweden. Generally not marketed for smoking cessation (at least here), although the claim gets thrown around by some producers as to not make it seem like another addictive product.

But a lot of snus is much stronger than smoking a cigarette, for ”all-white” snus (no tobacco) I like velo currently.

If I had to compare it to smoking id say:
Snus: ~30 - 45 minute nicotine high (depends how long you keep the pouch in) but no rush once you build tolerance

Cigarette: ~10 minute nicotine high + the initial ”rush” one gets from smoking

Snus is a lot safer and doesnt have all the carcinogens that tobacco has, but one can argue that the strong alkaline they put in snus damages the gums overtime and can cause changes on the cells of your gums making you more prone to oral cancer, and nicotine increasing angiogenesis through NAchr-a-7 potentially promoting existing tumour growth…

Still tobacco free pouches are vastly safer long term compared to cigarettes

You from Sweden, aye? I want to go sometime would love to see it.

Yeah, I like the Velo best too Freezing Peppermint. Double drop them for a good buzz. Especially when combined with... Everything

 

[TheLightBringer]

You from Sweden, aye? I want to go sometime would love to see it.

You should definetly visit, beautiful country, cold people, but friendly once you talk to them lol

Yeah, I like the Velo best too Freezing Peppermint. Double drop them for a good buzz. Especially when combined with... Everything

Oh hell yeah if you take a ”dubbelmacka” as we say (double sandwich) of the 6-dot 17mg max strength Velos you get quite the buzz. Being sober from everything the past 5 years I must say thats probably the closest sensation to actual drugs, especially if laying in bed with music playing and closing your eyes…

I try not to chase it too much though but damn it slaps once in a while

 

[N0ph0n0]

Methylphenidate, that should help you live your life better (in non-recreational doses), sure it's not good for your health but it aint that bad. Valium will make you mildly retarded and it's one of the substances that can kill you through withdrawal.

 

[BadBoy377]

Yeah that's the one! I've not tried lying in bed with music and eyes closed but I will.

I try not to chase it too much though but damn it slaps once in a while

That sounds sensible though. Less is indeed more sometimes.

I look forward to visiting. I'll let you know when I'm heading over

 

[Cheradenine]

Then there is the combination of methylphenidate (or amphetamine) and nicotine. I used to feel the temptation to smoke when drinking. After quitting everyday smoking many years ago that combo just puts me off now. But a true stimulant and nicotine is amazing. Actuslly I can only tolerate nicotine if I already have methylphenidate or amphetamine in the blood. And then i discovered that nicotine chewing gum works just as well as cigarettes. Probably not very good for blood pressure though. I have measured values everywhere from 130 to 180. At least the added high from nicotine doesn’t last very long.