Benzos and GABBA

[kharma_bum]

Benzos and GABA down-regulation!

does anyone know what long term benzo use can lead to down regulation of gabba.. could this problem be fixed with drugs like neurontin?

 

[Morrison's Lament]

Long term benzo abuse is strongly linked to down regulation of GABA.

Check out this thread, although it is rather limited:

http://www.bluelight.ru/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=70275&

I'd recommend looking up info on GABA disorders and benzo abuse with google, or on sites like erowid.

--- G.

 

[kharma_bum]

thanks for the link, I did find a lot of more info by searching google. But one thing they don't really know is if this damage is permenant? Or just the cause of benzo deprivation?

anyone else have first hand expierence with benzo addiction? please add in.

 

[kharma_bum]

ok so this is what I'm planning to do, when I get my benzos. I plan to take 2mg a day for about 2 weeks, and then wait a week for tolorence to go down. And so I won't be addicted to them. how does this plan sound?

I have to find a way so i can hide them from myself becuase if I'll see them I'll just say "one more won't hurt." What I thought was a harmless drug has in turned bite me on my ass. GABA down-regulation should be added to the benzo FAQ, if I were to know about this sooner, I wouldn't have been so hap hazard in popping these ...

 

[negrogesic]

If you take the benzos for sleeping purposes during those 2 weeks, you will definately experience rebound insomnia during the following week of abstinence. To which benzo are you referring? And, hiding drugs from yourself is not a practical way to curb your usage.

 

[kharma_bum]

No, this isn't for insomnia, but just for everyday stress. I'm thinking about taking about 2-6mg a day for about 2 weeks, then not doing them for a week. I shouldn't grow addicted to them that fast.. so I'm guessing no withdrawal, but I might be wrong. For stopping benzos, what do you suggest, I know hiding them from myself wasn't a real answer..

oh yea im referring to klonopin, and ativan. I will be useing those 2 together.

 

[psychetool]

ok so this is what I'm planning to do, when I get my benzos. I plan to take 2mg a day for about 2 weeks, and then wait a week for tolorence to go down. And so I won't be addicted to them. how does this plan sound?

I have to find a way so i can hide them from myself becuase if I'll see them I'll just say "one more won't hurt." What I thought was a harmless drug has in turned bite me on my ass. GABA down-regulation should be added to the benzo FAQ, if I were to know about this sooner, I wouldn't have been so hap hazard in popping these ...

Not to be an asshole or anything, but maybe you shouldn't be taking these drugs if your self control is that weak...

 

[kharma_bum]

^^^ I'll be the judge of that.. I think I can manage.

 

[Negro-kitty]

I just want to comment on downregulation of neurotransmitter receptors in general.

We really don't know how permanent and severe the downregulation of various receptors due to drugs (SSRIs, benzos, amphetamines/stimulants, etc) is. It's very variable, difficult to test and measure (most research is done on other species, not humans), and the effects of downregulation are not well understood. Downregulation has been hypothesized to be GOOD (therapeutically valuable) as well as BAD (a sign of damage, tolerance). It could be different for different systems, or it could even be both good and bad at the same time.

So yeah, keep all that in mind...

As for your personal situation, kharma, I suggest seeking treatment with a medication that won't change your brain chemistry as much. If anxiety is your problem, perhaps look into Buspar, Serzone and Remeron which have not be shown to cause any sort of downregulation. These drugs are also non-addictive and much less likely to result in tolerance, and can be very effective for anxiety and even depression.

Best of luck to you...