Once day I do hope to be free of Benzodiazepine - it will take years for my GABA receptors to normalize - if ever
Once day I do hope to be free of Benzodiazepine - it will take years for my GABA receptors to normalize - if ever
There is a lot of misinformation online about GABA receptors, particularly around 'healing' including on detox centre websites. They aren't permanent structures that get damaged by BZDs (or alcohol), but simple molecules with half-lives of around 6-13 hours depending on which type, where they are in the brain and how often they are activated. Your brain will have few of the GABA receptors it had last Sunday.
The problem isn't the receptors, but the BZD sub units, aka binding sites, on them which are activated by BZDs. Those of us with anxiety disorders (also depression & epilepsy) have fewer [1] BZD binding sites than 'normal' and they diminish further when BZDs are taken regularly. It takes a while for BZD binding site densities to rebound after dose reductions, or discontinuation which is why a slow taper over several months with long half-life BZDs is the best quitting option and going cold-turkey is the very worst. A small number of people may develop a chronic neuroadaption with long term BZD use which limits binding site rebound producing longer term withdrawal symptoms, but they are rare. In most cases the problem is people are back to where they started with the same issues and same binding site deficits so weaning off BZDs should wait until an alternative anxiety treatments, med, or therapy, is working well. The right frame of mind is also important. Become convinced that stopping BZDs will be a nightmare and an anxious mind is quite capable of delivering our worst nightmare to us.
References:
[1]
Hasler G, Nugent AC, Carlson PJ, et al. (2008)
Altered cerebral gamma-aminobutyric acid type A-benzodiazepine receptor binding in panic disorder determined by [11C]flumazenil positron emission tomography.
Arch Gen Psychiatry. Oct;65(10):1166-75 (Abstract)
Geuze E, van Berckel BN, Lammertsma AA, et al. (2007)
Reduced GABAA benzodiazepine receptor binding in veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Mol Psychiatry. 2008 Jan;13(1):74-83 (Abstract)
Morimoto K. 1999
Benzodiazepine receptor imaging in the brain: recent developments and clinical validity
Kaku Igaku. May;36(4):307-13. (Abstract)
Savic I, Pauli S, Thorell JO, Blomqvist G. (1994)
"In vivo demonstration of altered benzodiazepine receptor density in patients with generalised epilepsy."
J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. Jul;57(7):797-804. [Abstract]
The opinions expressed above are based on my observations and, where applicable, interpretation of cited data and are general in nature. Consult your physician before acting on anything stated.
You're welcome; and hopefully things will improve for you. Thank you, that is very reassuring to know. I read those articles today and I think I have a better understanding now. Yes, there is a lot of misinformation out there and they say it takes years (if ever) to recover. I know I'm nowhere near ready to stop Clonazepam, but I"m down to a lower dosage than I used to be and I did it on my own when I realized I could 'get by' with less (from 1.5 MG daily down to .75). I just wish there was a natural way to increase GABA - I know that isn't helpful as consuming it orally doesn't get to the brain anyway ... which I why I was thinking Theanine would helpful, but unfortunately it doesn't .. besides I already drink enough green tea because I enjoy it
I think you're right though, that worry alone re discontinuation of a benoz scares the bejesus out of me. Again, thank you.
Your brain doesn't lack GABA. As per a previous post, the brain makes so much GABA as part of its energy production that there are billions of 'pumps' in the blood-brain-barrier to suck it out for disposal. What your brain lacks is BZD binding sites which increase the effectiveness of GABA receptors. Trying to rectify this by getting more GABA into the brain is akin to attempting to fix faulty spark plugs by filling the gas/petrol tank to overflowing. It ain't going to work (there are also other reasons why is won't). OTOH, ADs can increase BZD binding site density. The problem is BZDs inhibit their effectiveness which puts you into a vicious circle that can only be broken by eliminating one of the segments, ideally stopping the BZD.
The anticipation is often far worse than the reality.I think you're right though, that worry alone re discontinuation of a benoz scares the bejesus out of me.
Last edited by panic_down_under; 12-03-21 at 05:43.__________________
The opinions expressed above are based on my observations and, where applicable, interpretation of cited data and are general in nature. Consult your physician before acting on anything stated.
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