Posted by Quintal on March 30, 2007, at 16:04:05
In reply to Re: Dopamine Agonists » Quintal, posted by kaleidoscope on March 30, 2007, at 14:44:24
>Direct-acting dopamine agonists do not stimulate dopamine release, nor do they inhibit its reuptake
I said "If so, why aren't they scheduled and controlled like similar drugs that *simulate* dopamine release?"; simulate (not stimulate) - i.e. they mimick the effect of dopamine.
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A dopamine agonist is a compound that activates dopamine receptors, mimicking the effect of the neurotransmitter dopamine.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dopamine_agonist
__________________________________________________So why aren't they energizing and euphoric in the same way as other drugs that either produce or mimic high levels of dopamine?
>Pramipexole inhibits dopamine synthesis.
Where did you find out about this and what are the consequences? For how long after the last dose is dopamine synthesis inhibited?
>Dopamine agonists activate certain dopamine receptors.....but not others.
It seems pramipexole is more selective to the D3 receptors, although I don't understand the consequences of this. Cabergoline is more selective to the D2 receptors and it appears this wiki article is hinting at possible recreational value for its pro-sexual side effects, although even pramipexole seems to be helping in that department.
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Off-Label/Recreational UsesIt has at times been used as an adjunct to SSRI antidepressants as there is some evidence that it counteracts certain side effects of those drugs, such as reduced libido and anorgasmia. It also has been suggested online that it has a possible recreational use in reducing or eliminating the male refractory period. It is also used by bodybuilders to control gynocomastia caused by elevated prolactin levels caused by use of Trenbolone esters.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabergoline
__________________________________________________>The relationship between direct-acting dopamine agonists and CNS stimulants (eg. Adderall, Ritalin) is no closer than the relationship between SSRIs and MDMA ie. very distant! Although they act on some of the same neurotransmitter systems, they affect the function of these systems in very different ways.
I know Ed, that's what this thread is about - how dopamine agonists affect the dopamine system in different ways to drugs of abuse, and the reasons mimicking dopamine in this way seemingly lacks euphoria and abuse potential. Most likely the nucleus accumbens is involved somewhere in this equation?
>As is the case with all CNS drugs, there might be a risk of withdrawal symptoms, but this issue has not received any real study.
I suppose most patients never do withdraw from them in Parkinson's disease, but I read somewhere, maybe on crazymeds (not the most reliable source admittedly) about people suffering projectile vomiting and other lovelies on abrupt withdrawal. They were saying Mirapex was harder to quit than Heroin and Crack, which seemed odd and a little far fetched.
Q
poster:Quintal
thread:745429
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070327/msgs/745510.html