What about Methadone and Buprenorphine

[psylence]

I was just wondering what your feelings are concerning these methods? Isn’t this just swapping one opiate for another?

Please read this post of mine and tell me what you think.

http://www.cyberrecovery.net/forums/...ad.php?t=22418

Thanks!

[Tom1]

Interesting article Psylence. First, I think the article may be a bit misleading with respect to morhines endogenous production. I do not thnk anyone would argue that it is endogenous even if we do not know exactly where as we have with the other neurotransmitters. As you know being a biochem major, your body ony responds to what it has receptors for, and you only have receptors for what the body makes, so obviously there are receptors that recognize morphines structure or morhine- like structures (my bio chem is 20 years old but I am very active in health care). Why not more research? Good question, maybe it is being done.The cynic in me thinks it likely has nothing to do with if it will work. More likely either funding not available, difficult molecule to make/ patent, or difficulty putting together the phase 2 and 3 trials that would be required before this hit the market. Anyway, keep posting, it is good to learn all the new thought that are out there. Tom

[psylence]

Originally Posted by Tom1

Interesting article Psylence. First, I think the article may be a bit misleading with respect to morhines endogenous production. I do not thnk anyone would argue that it is endogenous even if we do not know exactly where as we have with the other neurotransmitters. As you know being a biochem major, your body ony responds to what it has receptors for, and you only have receptors for what the body makes, so obviously there are receptors that recognize morphines structure or morhine- like structures (my bio chem is 20 years old but I am very active in health care). Why not more research? Good question, maybe it is being done.The cynic in me thinks it likely has nothing to do with if it will work. More likely either funding not available, difficult molecule to make/ patent, or difficulty putting together the phase 2 and 3 trials that would be required before this hit the market. Anyway, keep posting, it is good to learn all the new thought that are out there. Tom

I am positive that we have natural receptors for opiates in our brains due to the fact that our bodies are meant to create them naturally. Whether or not they exist to regulate pain or even allow us to experience a natural euphoric state is up for debate. Many people don't realize that most, if not all drugs that get you high are just manipulating the neurotransmitters, precursors, and synaptic absorption times, etc.

Examples include
MDMA (XTC) just dumps all of your serotonin into your bloodstream at once.
Marijuana simply releases natural endorphins.
Cocaine acts on dopamine levels.
The list goes on and on.

Back to my original point is that with people that may have an issue with opiate abuse, they may just be self medicating for the lack of the normal amount of morphine that should be in their systems. Just like someone that takes a SSRI (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ) for depression or a MAOI (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) These drugs include the classics such as Paxil,Prozac, Lexapro, Zoloft. So, why isn't someone or some company trying to put some effort into this?

I don't think making another drug like methadone is the answer but a substance to help bring a person to a base level would be ideal. Just like someone that has an issue with dopamine levels, you don't give them cocaine, you give them a MAOI. You don't give MDMA (XTC) to a person with low serotonin levels that may be suffering from depression you give them Prozac or Zoloft.

So, why not give an someone with low morphine levels Reticuline and NOT Methadone.

Its just a frustrating issue for me. This may have saved my mothers life.

[alcoholrehabcoach]

Originally Posted by psylence

...why isn't someone or some company trying to put some effort into this?

I don't think making another drug like methadone is the answer but a substance to help bring a person to a base level would be ideal...

Its just a frustrating issue for me. This may have saved my mothers life.

Psylence,

Thanks very much for your post.

I totally agree that having a base level is ideal. And I'm also curious. Do you currently have any way of getting to some kind of base level for yourself? How do you know when something is out of whack within yourself, and what do you do to balance it?

Being something of a scientist myself, or at least being a practitioner of the scientific method, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this fascinating topic.

Mike