Posted by Larry Hoover on October 14, 2004, at 22:51:34
In reply to Cured my depression and anxiety by mistake??!!, posted by DynaUnity333 on October 13, 2004, at 11:11:42
> Im absolutely shocked at the level of relief of my mental problems that these painkillers have given me which has been totally and utterly unexpected. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Codeine is a pro-drug. Unlike some substances that are deactivated by liver enzymes, this is one case where codeine is activated by the liver, turning it into morphine.
The rate of conversion is rather low in most people, about 4% an hour, but that varies substantially, as the liver enzyme responsible (2D6) has a vast range of activity in different people.
Opiates used to be first-line treatment for depression in the first half of the 20th century, but the obvious problems with tolerance and addiction still remain today. You can extend resistance to tolerance by taking certain other substances along with opiates, but I have never heard of anyone able to make it work long-term (more than a few months).
Codeine is something like timed-release morphine. It just doesn't work long term. Sorry.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:402639
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041012/msgs/403194.html