Posted by zeugma on May 28, 2004, at 22:11:40
In reply to Re: GHB(xyrem) vs. ALCOHOL » zeugma, posted by Michael Bell on May 28, 2004, at 21:43:09
Sure, I definitely drink alcohol. Not often, but I consume a lot on the occasions that I do drink. It is extremely prosocial for me, especially when taking Picamilon. However, the prosocial effects are short-lived and tolerance does build up quickly.
Regarding GHB, I believe it is a substance already found in the body. So the question is, if it is so effective for social phobia, could there be a GHB receptor/transmitter disfunction that Xyrem "fixes"? I'll probably never know, or at least not until I have a full understanding of all the safety issues.
For me, social phobia = social anxiety + reward deficiency. Acute alcohol intake seems to address both aspects. Benzos take care of the anxiety, but are not prosocial (and even seem to add to anhedonia). >
Anhedonia is a prominent symptom of my depression. Even when not depressed, I feel 'reward deficient' in the sense that it never seems worth my while to initiate social activity: I desire to isolate at all costs, although when I actually spend time with others it is not always with anhedonic results. So maybe the difficulty is with motivation, or with the self confidence necessary to initiate social actions? I already know I have serious dopamine issues- severe ADD and melancholia (reasonably fixed mood, when depressed it stays DOWN no matter what) which responds to NE- active TCA's, but only as far as far as mood and cognition go- they don't touch the desire for isolation/fear of initiating activity.
The GHB dyfunction theory is interesting. I believe a similar theory has been advanced to justify long-term benzodiazepine treatment, namely that some people with chronic anxiety unresponsive to other treatments (like me) have sub-sensitive GABA receptors. I actually believe this theory, since only a benzodiazepine has made it possible to make casual conversation with neighbors, etc. And closer relationships, once I get over the inordinate difficulty of beginning them (I have literally had nervous breakdowns trying to start relationships with people, it is a large reason i have suffered a relapse of depression recently) are only as problematic as might be expected when they involve someone with my ridiculous number of comorbidities. Could social initiative somehow be a function of a 'GHB' receptor/transmitter?
The next item on my list, however, is a stimulant, since my lack of initiative could also be related to chronic fatigue from narcolepsy. It is interesting, and maybe suggestive, that GHB, whick is now approved for narcolepsy, and stimulants (with a similar indication) have both been reported to be highly 'pro-social.'
poster:zeugma
thread:351654
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040527/msgs/351686.html