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Drugs and low carb diets

J

joe456

Bluelighter
Joined
Nov 24, 2010
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127
How would different drugs be affected by a low carb diet and how would the diets results be affected by drugs? Thinking mainly about stimulants, psychedelics and weed on a diet that has carb ups that prevent ketosis but any knowledge would be appreciated :)
 
If you're trying lose weight fast or get "cut", then a low-carb diet is useful. Other than that, they really aren't very healthy because you're body needs whole grains, fruit sugars, and other forms of carbs. I don't know how it would affect your drug use but when I went on a very low carb diet to loose body fat, I felt like shit (irritable, no energy, etc.).

Are you trying to loose excess body fat?
 
I'm on an extremely low carb diet for health reasons (but NOT to "loose" [sic] weight).

I've found that my mind is clearer and emotions stabler while going low-carb, and this has definitely translated over into my psychedelic trips in a positive manner. I feel like I'm more behind the steering wheel. YMMV, though.

When going low-carb it's important to remember to eat enough fat and protein for energy.
 
Interesting you found your mind clearer Rhythumspring, I notice that a large carb meal can make me drousy. I'm surprised people don't think about that when they need to be alert. I'm on a low carb diet as I'm trying to lose a bit of fat to get all my abs showing (got 4 out of 6 showing when I tense them so not too far off lol). Have heard many people feeling like shit on low carb diets (unless they are in ketosis) but luckily I'm not one of them, didn't even lose any water weight a few years ago when eating carbs once a week (which was unnecessarily strict in hindsight) and lifting weights regularly, so I must be designed to suit low carb diets. Still always keep protein, fat and veg levels very high which would have also helped a lot, and doesn't stop me from being able to lose fat really quickly :)
 
Hi RhythmSpring,
I'd like to add a small discovery about extreme low carbing. I insufflate Oxymorphone, and whenever I've been strictly adhering to Atkins induction phase (under 20 grams), I have noticed that my drugs are rendered completely ineffective by the diet. I will actually go into withdrawal by the second day of induction. As soon as I ingest some carbs - like a candy bar or a bagel - the drugs will kick back in and I'll be okay. I'm glad somebody finally asked about this. I've always found it interesting that Oxymorphone is potentiated by a high fat meal, but once the carbs are removed, its effects are completely nonexistent.
 
To my knowledge, a low carb diet shouldn't change the effects of most recreational drugs, unless the diet significantly changes how you feel sober.

A low carb diet could definitely impact recovery from stimulants and stimulating psychedelics, however. Stims burn through carb reserves so you may need to increase your carb intake on recovery days, if you're on a very low carb diet.

Btw, I take hydromorphone orally every day, 24 hours a day, with occasional nasal use in addition, and I also eat every other day. I have a fairly high carb intake on my eating days, but on my fasting days I consume virtually none (a teaspoon of honey for allergies, 5 almonds with my nightly vitamins). I don't notice any difference in the efficacy of my hydromorphone on my fasting days. However, I'm not on a recreational dose and my use is purely for legitimate pain, so I don't ever get high nor would I want to. At least not on opiates. ;)
 
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I also feel more behind the wheel when low carb. My diet because of allergies is mainly seeds. There is a period where I feel sick when transitioning.

I feel its possible some drugs may be effected. I instinctively don't feel comfortable with anything stimulating... or stimulant. But my body isn't a great example for others I doubt. My reasons may be different.
 
Permanent Jones said:
Hi RhythmSpring,
I'd like to add a small discovery about extreme low carbing. I insufflate Oxymorphone, and whenever I've been strictly adhering to Atkins induction phase (under 20 grams), I have noticed that my drugs are rendered completely ineffective by the diet. I will actually go into withdrawal by the second day of induction. As soon as I ingest some carbs - like a candy bar or a bagel - the drugs will kick back in and I'll be okay. I'm glad somebody finally asked about this. I've always found it interesting that Oxymorphone is potentiated by a high fat meal, but once the carbs are removed, its effects are completely nonexistent.
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Well that's strange, because I have kind of the opposite effect. I don't do opioids recreationally, but when I have to take things like percocet for surgery or something like that, it effects me a LOT. My tolerance is extremely low. I'll take one perc. and feel high for literally a few days.
 
Permanent Jones said:
Hi RhythmSpring,
I'd like to add a small discovery about extreme low carbing. I insufflate Oxymorphone, and whenever I've been strictly adhering to Atkins induction phase (under 20 grams), I have noticed that my drugs are rendered completely ineffective by the diet. I will actually go into withdrawal by the second day of induction. As soon as I ingest some carbs - like a candy bar or a bagel - the drugs will kick back in and I'll be okay. I'm glad somebody finally asked about this. I've always found it interesting that Oxymorphone is potentiated by a high fat meal, but once the carbs are removed, its effects are completely nonexistent.
Click to expand...

thats strange... i never had that issue at all.. if anything it had the opposit effect and felt higher
 
RhythmSpring said:
I've found that my mind is clearer and emotions stabler while going low-carb, and this has definitely translated over into my psychedelic trips in a positive manner. I feel like I'm more behind the steering wheel. YMMV, though.

When going low-carb it's important to remember to eat enough fat and protein for energy.
Click to expand...

I've had similar experiences with my low-carb diet I've been maintaining for about 6 months. My main rule is no bread, pasta or rice products, but I eat 1-2 servings of fruit and 3-4 servings of veggies a day minimum so I still get 75-80% of my daily carb requirement. Even so, I've noticed increased energy, clearer thinking in daily life, a stronger tendency for reflective, introspective or "cosmic/big picture" trains of thought. This mind state definitely translates into more positive drug-induced states, especially with certain substances and especially when I haven't eaten at all for 4+ hours.

For example, I start most days with a healthy, light breakfast & lunch and then "fasting" for about 8-10 hours before dinner. Prior to eating, however, I almost always partake in my evening smoke session while taking a leisurely walk around my neighborhood, and this ritual always puts me in a great headspace.
 
I know some people who prefer to fast and do "purity diets" in the week leading up to a major psychedelic trip. They report that it makes them feel lighter and more spiritually connected to the process. I've never done it personally because I get hypoglycemic easily in the total absence of carbs, but what people are saying in this thread really reminds me of what my friends have told me.

If you look at the paleo diet - that is, the diet that humans mostly eat under indigenous conditions - carbs and sugars are relatively rare. The focus is more on protein and fat. Carbs and sweets are an uncommon treat. In the modern world our exposure to sugars is completely unnatural. Maybe too many carbs are somehow negatively affecting the body/consciousness?
 
Carbs aren't necessarily bad, but the sources we get carbs from can be. In most of the western world, carbs come from simple sugars and grains like wheat. Grains contain a variety of toxins and antinutrients that can cause inflammation and reduce the absorption of nutrients. They also have a high glycemic index and meals high in grains give a high glycemic load, which can send blood glucose and insulin levels on a wild ride. Nuts, veggies, and roots are much better sources of carbs than grains.
 
^ Not in my experience.

Have you noticed that the "better" sources of carbs tend to be foods that either have actually less carbs, or their carbs are less bioavailable?

Plus, in my own personal experience, carbs from any source negatively impact my consciousness.
 
I've been looking into a low carb diet in the last few days, but I have a few issues with it myself. Firstly, I'm a type 1 diabetic on an insulin pump, so a certain amount of carbs are necessary for my body. We tried eliminating carbs from my diet and the effects were disastrous.

On the other end of the spectrum, though, eating a carb heavy diet makes me - as someone above mentioned - extremely tired and lethargic. Zero energy. And I have a similar experience to someone above, being low carb made my pain meds (both oxymorphone and oxycodone) nearly ineffective. They are actually noticeably more effective when I take them and then eat something with at least 1-2 servings (15-30 grams) of carbs.

It's odd, since my mother has the opposite experience: when she takes pain meds on a completely empty stomach, they are much more effective, and if she eats with them, not nearly so.

Very interesting to see how mileage varies.
 
Williams2 said:
Low carbs diet plans are one of the most questionable topics relating to diabetes diet. Low carbs diet plans can help to maintain low and stable glucose levels. Many people with diabetic issues find that eating a low-carbohydrate diet helps them to control blood sugar..
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This is very true for those with Type 2 diabetes, and even some with Type 1. For me, though, my body makes nearly no insulin of its own (this further complicated by my chronic pancreatitis, as when my pancreas is inflamed, it produces even less insulin than normal, which has sent me into DKA five times now). However, for me, this means that I MUST keep a constant influx of insulin in my body, to prevent my blood from going acidotic - a very dangerous thing. Without taking in enough carbs to offset the amount of insulin that I require, I have absolutely no energy whatsoever, and get sickly and tired besides.

I have to eat a certain amount of carbs to make sure I balance the insulin from my pump. We can only take the insulin pump so low, so a no-carb diet, or one too low in carbs, leads to more lows than I can handle, which in themselves are dangerous.
 
fairnymph said:
To my knowledge, a low carb diet shouldn't change the effects of most recreational drugs, unless the diet significantly changes how you feel sober.

A low carb diet could definitely impact recovery from stimulants and stimulating psychedelics, however. Stims burn through carb reserves so you may need to increase your carb intake on recovery days, if you're on a very low carb diet.

Btw, I take hydromorphone orally every day, 24 hours a day, with occasional nasal use in addition, and I also eat every other day. I have a fairly high carb intake on my eating days, but on my fasting days I consume virtually none (a teaspoon of honey for allergies, 5 almonds with my nightly vitamins). I don't notice any difference in the efficacy of my hydromorphone on my fasting days. However, I'm not on a recreational dose and my use is purely for legitimate pain, so I don't ever get high nor would I want to. At least not on opiates. ;)
Click to expand...

Please eat every day. Its not healthy to fast like that.

I'm no Mr health, though. I'm addicted....addicted to COOKIE DOUGH, and I usually don't eat a full meal until dinner. But Christ, I eat every day, at least three times, snacks included. I'm a big guy so I need my protein/carbs.

Stack up on fruit/water/whole grain noodles for stimulants, with a tablespoon of butter and serving of meat. Finally, pile on the greens.
 
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