Fornax55
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2010
- Messages
- 466
So i've been studying this phenomenon a bit lately. While there isn't a lot of research on the topic, what research there is seems to be consistent. Low, sub-therapeutic doses of amphetamines or dopamine releasing agents seem to create a reverse reaction to tolerance through a process known as hormesis, especially following regular usage in the therapeutic/abuse range. The result in this is the rapid and drastic sensitization of dopamine receptors which, both anecdotally and in studies, seems to last at minimum for 12 days (in rats) and up to a year or more, in people and primates.
My question is this. Given that these results seem to be so consistent among studies, shouldn't these be a regular phenomenon among most, if not all, users (or at least addicts) to stimulants? I'm willing to bed the majority of people who have been in the throes of a serious stimulant addiction have used sub-threshold doses. Whether that means smoking a shard you found on the carpet, licking a baggie, or scarfing down an Adderal you found in an old bottle - most people who have been through a serious stim addiction have done something similar.
And yet if the studies are accurate, the result of this should be the rapid desensitization of dopamine which would then significantly increase the potency of future stimulants. Anecdotally, those who have experienced this found that their normal dosage became so potent as to make them uncomfortable. Both studies and anecdotes also report a baseline state marked by excess dopamine: motor tics, loss of sleep, improved focus, etc.
I was considering experimenting with this but decided against it for two reasons, firstly I get motor tics once or twice a month and the risk of dealing with them permanently would make me blow my head off. Secondly I realized that without a doubt I've done this countless times throughout my years of stimulant abuse and have certainly noticed no such effects. My stimulant tolerance remains where it should be in regards to use, my baseline ADHD remains and I get good sleep.
Curious if anyone has any thoughts on the matter.
My question is this. Given that these results seem to be so consistent among studies, shouldn't these be a regular phenomenon among most, if not all, users (or at least addicts) to stimulants? I'm willing to bed the majority of people who have been in the throes of a serious stimulant addiction have used sub-threshold doses. Whether that means smoking a shard you found on the carpet, licking a baggie, or scarfing down an Adderal you found in an old bottle - most people who have been through a serious stim addiction have done something similar.
And yet if the studies are accurate, the result of this should be the rapid desensitization of dopamine which would then significantly increase the potency of future stimulants. Anecdotally, those who have experienced this found that their normal dosage became so potent as to make them uncomfortable. Both studies and anecdotes also report a baseline state marked by excess dopamine: motor tics, loss of sleep, improved focus, etc.
I was considering experimenting with this but decided against it for two reasons, firstly I get motor tics once or twice a month and the risk of dealing with them permanently would make me blow my head off. Secondly I realized that without a doubt I've done this countless times throughout my years of stimulant abuse and have certainly noticed no such effects. My stimulant tolerance remains where it should be in regards to use, my baseline ADHD remains and I get good sleep.
Curious if anyone has any thoughts on the matter.