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OD Moderators: Keif’ Richards | negrogesic
Stimulants Can seratonin mask dopamine?
- Thread starter soneal97
- Start date
Swimmingdancer
Bluelight Crew
Not trying to rain on your parade, maybe it's fine for you and I don't want to make you worry needlessly, but some animal studies have found sertraline to decrease dopamine and alter dopamine metabolism, and some people have even developed parkinsonian symptoms while on it (which are widely believed to be due to low dopamine). Another study I read said "Neurophysiologic findings indicate an inhibition of dopaminergic neurotransmission by SSRIs".
^ SD, while Serotonin issues are common knowledge, would it be safe to say that dopamine issues might manifest as ADHD type symptoms?
Personally I have abused dopamine for many years actively and found zero issues in terms of depletion or damage. Is it even possible to damage it like with Serotonin and MDMA for example?
Personally I have abused dopamine for many years actively and found zero issues in terms of depletion or damage. Is it even possible to damage it like with Serotonin and MDMA for example?
I used to read loads of scary shit about what long-term SSRIs could do to you but I had such severe depression it was worth the risk. I used to hallucinate and have delusions that lasted years and...I'm not going into it, it's too painful.
But SSRIs are a miracle as far as I'm concerned, they not only saved my life but changed my quality of life more than I ever believed possible.
Plus, I'm 22 years old, been bulimic for 11 years and was an alcoholic for 3 years followed immediately (pancreatitis ended me in hospital where I was simultaneously detoxed from alcohol and pumped full of morphine) and now an oxy addict...I've had 6 seizures, fucked up my back and my pancreas. I have mild liver and brain damage.
Oh and a family history of cancer on both sides.
So I aint gonna worry about things like SSRI effects in the future,
Btw, what happens when one's dopamine is depleated? The inability to experience pleasure?
But SSRIs are a miracle as far as I'm concerned, they not only saved my life but changed my quality of life more than I ever believed possible.
Plus, I'm 22 years old, been bulimic for 11 years and was an alcoholic for 3 years followed immediately (pancreatitis ended me in hospital where I was simultaneously detoxed from alcohol and pumped full of morphine) and now an oxy addict...I've had 6 seizures, fucked up my back and my pancreas. I have mild liver and brain damage.
Oh and a family history of cancer on both sides.
So I aint gonna worry about things like SSRI effects in the future,
Btw, what happens when one's dopamine is depleated? The inability to experience pleasure?
Yeah man they saved my ass as well. Recently came off them with no ill effects after 7 years of use due to the issues recently going away and i feel normal like i did before the issues 8 years back. It has its purposes however i am not sure if there was a better option instead, though I doubt it.
Though i do wonder whats worse. 7 years on SSRI's or 7 years on benzos.... Im sure benzos are worse, or are they?
Though i do wonder whats worse. 7 years on SSRI's or 7 years on benzos.... Im sure benzos are worse, or are they?
Benzos are MUCH worse. In terms of addiction, I mean. Benzo withdrawal can be fatal due to grand mal seizures.
Plus research has shown people can show signs of mild dependency/withdrawal after just a single dose of valium/xanax.
I got detoxed off alcohol on librium and had no ill effects after, though, except severe insomnia and mild anxiety and I had temporary sleeping pills...and even those effects were probably PAW's from the alcohol.
Did you just stop the SSRI or did you taper off slow?
Plus research has shown people can show signs of mild dependency/withdrawal after just a single dose of valium/xanax.
I got detoxed off alcohol on librium and had no ill effects after, though, except severe insomnia and mild anxiety and I had temporary sleeping pills...and even those effects were probably PAW's from the alcohol.
Did you just stop the SSRI or did you taper off slow?
Swimmingdancer
Bluelight Crew
Yes, low dopamine is implicated in ADHD (as well as things like social phobia, anhedonia, depression, and RLS). Drugs that increase dopamine or are dopamine agonists can cause dopamine receptor downregulation/ decreased receptor sensitivity and decreased dopamine levels. What exactly happens depends on the person, the drug and the pattern/dose/length of use, but as an example I remember reading one study that found cocaine addicts to have decreased dopamine receptor availability for around 4 months after quitting. Don't recall how long/how much they were using though.
Yeah sure in terms of withdrawals the benzos are worse, but lets assume you are safely able and willing to go through the withdrawals of each. So then which one would be less damaging to use over that period of time and be the most effective in its benefits as well... Its an interesting question..
Well im quite chuffed about my SSRI discontinuation to be honest. The plan i formulated worked like gangbusters.
I went from 50mg Paxil previously taken over the last 7 years (which is decent dose) tapered to 0 over 1 week, 7 days, when i them stopped completely.
I had absolutely ZERO discontinuation issues or withdrawals. Nothing.
Basically i did this:
1. First 3 days:
a) Dropped to 25mg Paxil from day 1, day 2 and day 3.
b) Started taking 1g Ashwagandha each day for its Adaptogen properties starting on the first day of dropping to 25mg Paxil.
2. Last 4 days
a) Dropped to 12.5mg Paxil for day 4 - 7
b) Started taking 300mg of Kanna powder from day 4 to 7 to make up for reduced Serotonin and reduce the Serotonin withdrawals
Warning Kanna and SSRI's should not be usually combined due to similar effects.
I took the chance assuming that the similar properties in the Kanna would stop the SSRI withdrawals with a careful replacement dosage of the Kanna to make up for the reduced SSRI dosage. Which it did. Individual results may vary however.
3. Stopped the SSRI on day 7 and continued the Kanna until day 10 just to make sure.
4. Stopped the Kanna on day 10 and all was well with zero SSRI discontinuation issues or ill effects.
The Kanna is the secret here via the concept of simple replacement
The Ashwagandha however im sure played a major part as well just less obvious to identify exactly how. I would never remove it from the process. Its an ADAPTogen after all.
Simple, easy, pain free. I even shocked myself to be honest however Kanna is known to be very effective in treating stim addiction and withdrawals or cravings due to its safe replacement capabilities here in South Africa where it originates. Therefore it seemed perfect for this application and performed as I expected it would.
SSRI discontinuation is just another stim addiction but with physical addiction properties as well, after all.
Well im quite chuffed about my SSRI discontinuation to be honest. The plan i formulated worked like gangbusters.
I went from 50mg Paxil previously taken over the last 7 years (which is decent dose) tapered to 0 over 1 week, 7 days, when i them stopped completely.
I had absolutely ZERO discontinuation issues or withdrawals. Nothing.
Basically i did this:
1. First 3 days:
a) Dropped to 25mg Paxil from day 1, day 2 and day 3.
b) Started taking 1g Ashwagandha each day for its Adaptogen properties starting on the first day of dropping to 25mg Paxil.
2. Last 4 days
a) Dropped to 12.5mg Paxil for day 4 - 7
b) Started taking 300mg of Kanna powder from day 4 to 7 to make up for reduced Serotonin and reduce the Serotonin withdrawals
Warning Kanna and SSRI's should not be usually combined due to similar effects.
I took the chance assuming that the similar properties in the Kanna would stop the SSRI withdrawals with a careful replacement dosage of the Kanna to make up for the reduced SSRI dosage. Which it did. Individual results may vary however.
3. Stopped the SSRI on day 7 and continued the Kanna until day 10 just to make sure.
4. Stopped the Kanna on day 10 and all was well with zero SSRI discontinuation issues or ill effects.
The Kanna is the secret here via the concept of simple replacement
The Ashwagandha however im sure played a major part as well just less obvious to identify exactly how. I would never remove it from the process. Its an ADAPTogen after all.
Simple, easy, pain free. I even shocked myself to be honest however Kanna is known to be very effective in treating stim addiction and withdrawals or cravings due to its safe replacement capabilities here in South Africa where it originates. Therefore it seemed perfect for this application and performed as I expected it would.
SSRI discontinuation is just another stim addiction but with physical addiction properties as well, after all.
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