Posted by Questionmark on August 7, 2008, at 0:47:04
In reply to Re: salvia and kappa receptors, posted by linkadge on June 11, 2008, at 9:00:34
Darn it, I just posted something in the kappa opioid thread above this one, but then saw that this thread would be more appropriate and relevant for it. So i'm posting it here too/instead. I hope that is alright.
...
Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kappa_opioid_receptor) states that the belief that kappa opioid receptor agonists are dysphoric is a misconception. I'm not sure. But if salvinorin A is the potent [and selective(?)] kappa opioid agonist it is accepted as being, then I am a bit skeptical that agonists of these receptors are exclusively dysphoric-- unless maybe you/they're referring to chronic activation over some extended periods (and not just acute activation). Because I know that while salvinorin A isn't by any means the most euphoric substance, and it seems like many people aren't particularly fond of its effects, there are many people (myself included) who do also enjoy its effects to some extent or another. And personally, although the very high dose, melt-into-the-world to become a cog-in-a-rapidly-spinning-mega-wheel can in certain ways be quite unpleasant, I have quite often been capable of enjoying lower doses. Anyway, the point of that rambling is that I think it may depend on... I don't know, other factors-- such as possibly, selectivity of the drug, potency and/or degree of kappa opioid receptor activation, etc.-- whether or not kappa receptor agonists are dysphoriogenic (sp.?). But again maybe it may simply be when receptor activation is sustained fairly frequently over a period of time (e.g., multiple days), and not just acute activation like I was talking about.
But in regard what Linkadge/you had to say...>
> Usually people report experiencing a mood depressing (or anxiety provoking effect) while smoking, but that the pleasuarable effect usually happens after this wears off.Yeah, I remember reading this too (though I don't think heard about it personally). Strange. And interesting.
> I am thinking that the potent short acting kappa agonism of salvia may desensize the receptor in some way.
You know I remember wondering about this same idea before, but I had forgotten about it. Yeah, that could totally be what's going on here with salvia. But then that doesn't explain why it is capable of producing immediate pleasant effects. Unless they're just unpleasant for many or with a high enough dose/activation. Eh, i dunno.
poster:Questionmark
thread:831631
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/neuro/20080706/msgs/844735.html