Posted by mistermindmasta on April 19, 2004, at 23:07:39
I've pondered this for a while and am just curious to gain some feedback...
Some people who are bipolar or cyclothymic cycle between depression and hypomanic very very quickly, sometimes only in hours.
Then there are people who, genetically, have extra sensitive adenosine receptors.
Might certain forms (a small minority of people i would guess) of rapid cycling bipolar be caused by caffeine in individuals that are very sensitive?
Imagine this: Every day, at random periods in the day, someone spikes your bottle of water with a decent dose of ... methampthetamine, street dosage, plenty enough to make you hypomanic. Clearly this person would feel periods of elation followed by periods of letdowns, and wouldn't even know what caused it. Therefore, diagnosis: bipolar II, ultra rapid cycling, whatever... doesn't matter.
Do you think there are people that don't even know they're drinking caffeine (root beer? tea? other random drinks?) who experience ultra rapid cycles? Just wondering because I am so sensitive to caffeine, and I am aware of this. However, if I had no idea how strong i react to caffeine, I might consider myself bipolar II rapid cycler, based on how i get hypomanic and then experience letdown.
Interestingly, kava, which is thought by some to act as a calcium ion flux inhibitor (similar to anticonvulsants like lamactil, used for BP II), works incredibly well in eliminating my ultra strong sensitive to caffeine. I don't get the post caffeine let-down. Even not on caffeine, my mood is far more stable. Possibly the inhibition of calcium flux inhibits excitotoxicity and allows nerve growth, thus allowing me consistant moods and cognition?
I don't know... just some thoughts. Any comments?
poster:mistermindmasta
thread:337950
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040417/msgs/337950.html