Posted by tensor on November 19, 2003, at 3:35:15
A couple of scientists reminded us that cocaine doesn't produce dopamine, it just inhibits its re-absorption in the brain, keeping the "old" dopamine around longer. This increases brain dopamine levels for a while, but it also causes the body's metabolism itself to produce less and less new dopamine. Soon the cocaine user needs ever increasing doses to make the existing dopamine go further and last longer. Ultimately the body seems to stop producing dopamine altogether, so that no amount of cocaine is able to maintain dopamine levels. That's when the cocaine user finally crashes. Remember that low or no dopamine means extreme anxiety, raw fear, compulsive-obsessive behavior, and so on.
The situation may be similar with the serotonin reuptake inhibitors Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Lovan, or Luvox. It would mean that their users will ultimately crash too.
That's one theory. It doesn't fit all cases but it made a lot of sense to us. It would mean that what's precious and should be enhanced is the body's own natural ability to make dopamine and serotonin.
-taken as part from http://www.defend-net.com/mood/DarkSide.html/tensor
poster:tensor
thread:281142
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031116/msgs/281142.html