Neurotransmitters

[[wa...]]

Do you think our bodies stop producing certain neurotansmittera during withdrawal.  Not gaba, I know that is the receptor issue.

[[fi...]]

I don't think so, although I have heard that serotonin can be lowered while taking benzos (thus causing depression for many people).

 

fg

[[pr...]]

Actually the problem is that while we are TAKING the drug our bodies alter their neurotransmitter function.

 

Then we stop taking the drug but the neurotransmitters are still screwed up.

 

All neurotransmitters affect other neurotransmitters, hormones, other chemicals, et cetera.  They're all linked together and they all feed back into each other.  So if you alter one, you alter the whole system.

 

So it's not so much that WITHDRAWAL is causing your neurotransmitters to be changed.  They were changed by the way your brain adapted to the drug itself.  They were changed in a way that made them dependent on the drug to function. Then we yank out the drug but the neurotransmitters are still changed.  So now they aren't working right.

[[Ko...]]

I have read that benzo withdrawal causes a whole cascade of effects on regulation of many neurotransmitters. Downregulation of GABA explains a lot of symptoms, but not all of them. Serotonin is being downregulated as well, which would explain depression. Same thing about dopamine - it is accountable for concentration, memory, motivation .... an explanation for the very common symptoms such as brain fog, poor cognitive function, low mental energy, etc. 

[[mt...]]

HI Waterpolo

I am a year off and read the book The Mood Cure by Julia Ross ( I actually ended up speaking to her on the phone).  In the book she talks alot about this very subject and stress of any kind depletes our stores on ALL the neurotransmitters.

 

I am a year benzo free (after a slow 20 months taper) so felt a bit safe to try some supplements.  I have been taking L tryptophan for serotonin and L tyrosine (dopamine) and feel ALOT better.  I will stop in a few weeks as the author recommends.

 

You can google her and read her book and videos if you are interested.

Mimi

 

 

[[...]]

HI Waterpolo

I am a year off and read the book The Mood Cure by Julia Ross ( I actually ended up speaking to her on the phone).  In the book she talks alot about this very subject and stress of any kind depletes our stores on ALL the neurotransmitters.

 

I am a year benzo free (after a slow 20 months taper) so felt a bit safe to try some supplements.  I have been taking L tryptophan for serotonin and L tyrosine (dopamine) and feel ALOT better.  I will stop in a few weeks as the author recommends.

 

You can google her and read her book and videos if you are interested.

Mimi

Interesting. How much of each do you take, and how many weeks total are recommended?

[[mt...]]

HI Trig

I am taking 500mg of L tyrosine in the am and 500mg L tryptophan at night (with magnesium 300mg).  You can take a free preview of the book on Amazon.  Julia Ross runs a recovery clinic in Marin County CA just north of SF (a few miles from where I live).  There are 4 basic Amino Acids she recommends that you try and according to her you will know within 48 hours if it is needed or not. If needed you will some relief from symptoms and if not you will get a response like mild headache or maybe slight nausea. If you get a negative response STOP as you are not low in that neurotransmitter. FYI add each supplement ONE AT A TIME so you can accurately assess how you respond to each one.  The chart she gives in the book have much higher amounts of each supplement but given my sensitive CNS I am moving forward very carefully and don't feel I require any higher doses.  In fact I am feeling so well I think I can stop for awhile

 

Most will not need to take for more than a few months as the "reservoirs" will be filled.  However you can resume taking them if you feel your symptoms return.  I was feeling "down" in general with a lack of joy and profound fatigue with exercise intolerance. 

 

I am now able to exercise everyday and out of bed and back to enjoying my life.  It has been very helpful to me.

I am testing my adrenals and thyroid in a few weeks to take a look and see how things are functioning.  Its a slow journey back but I feel like for me these supplements were of great benefit.

 

Mimi