Extinction Works

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Extinction Works

Heavy Fuel;1314570 wrote: As I understand the process, naltrexone blocks endorphins in all centers of the brain. The process isn't selective, as it's related to the shape of the receptor and the shape of the drug molecule. Otherwise, some of the thrills one loses while the drug is active in the system would still have an allure, as many impact different areas of the brain.

Yep. So things that release the pleasure stuff can be extinguished...sex. exercise. chocolate. booze. All related. (EDIT: I'm not really sure about this anymore. There are plenty of people around here that can answer this, though. Lo0p is one, if someone wants to PM him. And also lots of info on the TSM website.)

The one person I know about who was an avid exerciser manipulated his NAL doses so that it didn't extinguish his rush from exercising. But I am pretty sure that UKblonde had a different experience... And she's achieved happy sobriety with NAL.

For the record, I shouldn't really be weighing in about Nal because I don't know a huge amount about it. I had a similar experience with baclofen though, in terms of compulsive behaviors. (I'm a chick, so internet porn doesn't do it for me, but your point is still made. lol) I wish chocolate had been a part of it.

And my smoking went WAY WAY WAY up. From one pack a day since I was a teen to 2+. But I work at home now and can smoke all the time, too. Who knows. My husband now smokes that much more than he used to, too. I have to wonder if it's the dopamine thing...

[joethelion]

Extinction Works

Heavy Fuel;1314570 wrote: As I understand the process, naltrexone blocks endorphins in all centers of the brain. The process isn't selective, as it's related to the shape of the receptor and the shape of the drug molecule. Otherwise, some of the thrills one loses while the drug is active in the system would still have an allure, as many impact different areas of the brain.

Not according to Roy Eskapa`s book, but maybe you are right, I don`t know.

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Extinction Works

joethelion;1315079 wrote: Not according to Roy Eskapa`s book, but maybe you are right, I don`t know.

Yeah, me neither. I think I'll just edit my original post since I don't really remember what I think I know! lol.

[Heavy Fuel]

Extinction Works

joethelion;1315079 wrote: Not according to Roy Eskapa`s book, but maybe you are right, I don`t know.

I don't remember him saying any centers of the brain were exempt from the endorphin block. What he did say about smoking was something to the effect the nicotine acted differently, almost as if he was saying the nicotine itself is doing something.

Anyway, as I said, I didn't start smoking again, even though I smoked for a very long time from an early age. 17 years of smoking is a long time! I bet I have strong pathways for whatever mechanism nicotine addiction uses.

In so far as extinguishing behaviors, it depends on how one doses the naltrexone. The half life of the drug is relatively short (about six hours,) so the effect is minimal after about 18 hours. If I were interested in getting my exercise high I would work out before taking the pill.

Currently, I only take the pill two days a week. It's not like I am taking it every day, though I personally have taken it every day for a maximum of 126 consecutive days. I still enjoyed a lot of things. Was everything the same? Not really, but it's not as gray as some say.

Either way, whatever works for folks. Whatever one quits with, it's the last thing they tried!