Posted by Robert Rock Jones on April 3, 2000, at 18:06:04
In reply to Wellbutrin comparison to amphetamines, etc., posted by PattyG on April 3, 2000, at 12:13:48
Patty,
I am but a ignorant high school dropout who doesn't even have the sense to go to "my" psychiatrist and seek help with problems that have plagued homo sapiens sapiens since the time when we lost most of our body hair.
But I can take a stab at your question:> (2) What are adrenergic agents?
Adrenergic agents are anything, ususally drugs, that effect adrenergic receptor sites. Receptor sites are the places on synapses (nerve connections) where chemicals carry a signal from one side to the other. Adrenergic sites respond primarily to noradrenaline (AKA norepinephrine), but are also sensitive to that awesome hormone adrenaline.
Noradrenaline, in our brains, is the chemical most immediately related to stimulation. Sensory stimulation travels first across noradrenalinergic synapses, then, if there is some sort of integrated network ready to a accept the stimulation, reinforcing chemicals, especially dopamine and serotonin, kick in to keep the thought alive. Otherwise, the adrenergic activity might increase into a full blown fight-or-flight reaction, triggering the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone, which in turn releases a shot of full-strenght adrenaline.
This is a crude description that might draw snickers from the real doctor who read this site. The relation of noradrenaline and reinforcing chemicals is a fine balance, effected by many factors researchers are working to define, including genetics and experience.
> And my main question: (3) What, if any, commonality is there between the amphetamines and Wellbutrin? Would they have the most similar "characteristics" (with particular regard to side effects....i.e. - seizures)?
>
> Would someone get right on this, please?:)Well, are you talking about street amphetamines or licensed ones? The street drugs are derived usually from over-the-counter cold medicines using a process that often involves ether, amonium nitrate and lithium (from camera batteries). They are likely to contain impurities and you are not likely to get any advice regarding side effects, or frequency or amount of dosage (except maybe a comment like, "this is some pure s--t, be careful)
The drugs you get from your psychiatrist will come with advice on side effects and the phone number of an answering service where you can call and set up another session if you experience any side effects.
Heck Patty, i am just psycho-babbling here. I am not even sure the chemical name for Wellbutrin, or how it compares to pharmaceutical grade amphetime.
But I can get you some rock. Go down to Fifth and Vine and tell them Bob sent you. Be careful, though, the war on unlicensed medicine is about 1,000 years old now and unlicensed practitioners are quite edgy, and often affiliated in dangerous criminal collectivities. And DDDear EEEdward AAAby, be careful. Their is another large, armed agency afraid of loosing their jobs if the war is somehow settle this war by spreading enough information for the public to intelligently make their own decisions with regard to these medicines.
poster:Robert Rock Jones
thread:28745
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000401/msgs/28771.html