Posted by Else on July 22, 2001, at 9:17:38
In reply to Re: Dopamine function in Social Phobia, posted by JackD on July 22, 2001, at 5:49:38
Yeah I agree Jack. I once seriously comsidered forcing myself into alcoholism but I don't tolerate alcohol very well. And alcohol on your breath is not good for socializing outside of bars and parties. People tend not to take you seriously at best, and for a boozer at worst.
I know all about dopamine. I've done cocaine more than a few times (it's a heck of a lot stronger than Ritalin, I think). Anyway, it made me feel normal (when I took it with alcohol), but after a while it only made me angry and hostile towards everyone(especially when I skipped the booze which I had to because I was on Depakote,long story). Of course, cocaine is not the ideal psychiatric drug, even Freud figured out that much. But I think I would do ok on a mild , long-acting stimulant, combined with the Klonopin I already take to decrease anxiety. It would be perfect. Of course, my pharmacist would give me one of those looks, but fuck her. I am pretty sure of this because I have never FUNCTIONNED better then when I was on that Parnate/Valium combo last year and Parnate acts a bit like an amphetamine at first.Serotonin is weird. I have a theory about it, maybe I'm completely wrong but it's based on my own personnal experience. It basically goes: Pot is the opposite of Prozac. It induces in me all the syndromes SSRIs are supposed to cure (OCD, Bulimia, Panic Attacks, Extreme Anxiety...). But since pot stimulates serotonin release (or so it would appear), then SSRIs must decrease serotonin levels to lower anxiety-related symptoms somehow. It does so by obsure means but I've read that high serotonin levels were associated with high anxiety, not well-being. I've read this essay by a doctor who thinks SSRIs are "mood-buffers", not ADs and that they mostly prevent depressed patients with an "emotional safety net", assures them things will be OK (read the essay, I'm explaining it badly). It may be more complicated than that but it would explain why melancholics don't do so well on these and do better on TCAs. Does Prozac wear out serotoninergic neurons? Am I completely wrong? Am I ten years late? I need to look this up but thank you for "piquing" my curiosity. (french word, never mind).
Here is the URL, and BTW, everything else written by this doctor is fascinating.
http://www.hedweb.com/bgcharlton/psychhuman.html
> I haven't read any of the responses to your post, so forgive me if I'm being repetitive (I'm too tired now to read through them all). I too have found significant dopamine function in SP related problems; especially from tinkering with my own brain. Now, I have ADD, and that is usually from a lack of Dopamine among other things, and that basically makes your brain constantly seek stimuli, such as from day-dreaming or hyperactivity (which can manifest itself as introversion). When I take (abuse... sigh...) Ritalin, it makes me MUCH more confident and social.
>
> Here's my very superficial narrow rundown:
>
> Serotonin: Affects other neurotransmitter systems by sending "chill out!" messages, err..., disinhibiting messages. Makes me feel fearless and less emotional. Also increases desire to be sociable; I call it the "touchy-feely" neurotransmitter.
>
> Dopamine: Enhances/Magnifies behavior; ticks, habits, etc are worsened. General behavior and behavioral traits magnified. Affects drive, work capacity, and DEFINITELY confidence. In high doses in itself, leads to separation from friends (no need for them!, or so you feel), selfishness, and anger (as I said it magnifies behavior); I call it the "selfish" neurotransmitter.
>
> Norepinepherine: Hmmmmm....... haven't been able to discriminate it's unique effects. Supposedly affects ability to handle stress, motivation, and generally affecsts (enhances?) all the other neurotransmitters.
>
> GABA: Numbs the mind. Dims the lights. Takes the edge off. Disinhibiting. Similar to being in a slightly dumbed down alcoholic stupor. Great for anxiety. With me, the poor memory and any negative cognitive side effects were soon overcome or I learned to handle them accordingly (Like an alcoholic, they still feel drunk and nice for the most part when they're drunk, yet many learn how to think "sober" while drunk... some to the point you won't even know when they're intoxicated).
>
> Well, hope that helps. Remember, this is just from my experience. Oh, so back to the point... I think the reason many people that are SP drink, such as myself, is that it not only affects GABA and Seratonin, (as well as Opiods but just forget that for arguments sake) it also raises dopamine levels significantly. That's a perfect combo for SP's; disinhibition, less fear, more social desire, confidence!
poster:Else
thread:71110
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010720/msgs/71327.html