Posted by Anna Laura on June 29, 2001, at 0:55:34
In reply to Benzodiazepine Tolerance, posted by PaulB on June 28, 2001, at 17:26:19
> PaulB wrote:
>
> I wanted to find out about the causes of the tolerance that can occur when exposure to a benzodiazepine is given for longer period of time. Going back to basics, benzodiazepines exert their anxiolytic, amnesic, muscle-relaxant, hypnotic and sedative effects by binding to the omega receptors and thus potentiating the brain natural supply of GABA. Can anyone tell me whether the tolerance that may occur with longer term exposure to these drugs is caused by a decrease in the sesitivity and/or no of bz omega reptors or lowered levels of the brain own supply of natural GABA that the benzodiazepines potentiate.
>
> I would appreciate to hear from all those people who have experience and knowledge of this type of psych-babble and look forward to seeing the responses I get
> Take care
> PaulB
Hi Paul
I developed benzos tolerance very very quickly.
I' m not sure about the chemistry involved in this reaction, even if i actually took an anatomy of the nervous system examination years ago (it was long ago though, i don't remember much). If i remember correctly, benzos function like a kind of "covering" (i.e. : like a blanket if you're cold) the rebound effect thus leaving you "defenceless". I personally felt like my skin was peeled off, oversensitive and kind of vulnerable. I think that the reaction depends on your own personal brain chemistry though: some people get the opposite reaction : they feel undersensitive and kind of anhedonic after benzos usage instead.
poster:Anna Laura
thread:68279
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010625/msgs/68310.html