Posted by LynnKhat on May 28, 2001, at 4:01:36
In reply to Re: Codeine for Depression Treatment, posted by paulk on May 27, 2001, at 23:33:26
> I have heard of using opiates combined with a narcotic blocker for treatment of depression – kind of a last resort thing – but that may have more to do with drug politics than it should.
Hmmm. I'd hazard the guess that codeine works to alleviate depression because it's a grand high. Which is why a lot of people have trouble with pain medications.
According to Kathleen DesMaisons, opiates raise Beta Endorphin levels quickly--and we are hard-wired to love BEs. Then they crash, then we want more. Evidently, pleasurable activity (exercise, good sex, creativity, mediation, prayer, playing with pets, etc.) is the best way to raise BEs. Foods (like sugar), drugs, deliberately induced stress (like intense conflict or "cutting") also raise BEs, which is why it can be difficult to quit behaviors that look like any sensible person could give them up in a hearbeat.
She is also of the opinion that depression can stem from not getting enough BEs as well as from serotonin problems, which may be why meds are less than optimally effective for some folks.I have to be very careful with pain meds because I like them so much.
I'd be interested in learning more about this--and I'd be wary of trying the codeine approach without scrupulous medical supervision by someone to whom a person could (and would) tell the truth about possible cravings. And most of us are pretty clever about not telling the truth sometimes!
Blessings.
LynnKhat
poster:LynnKhat
thread:64320
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010522/msgs/64475.html