The best explanation of tolerance I've found yet

[Alky]

I've often wondered why I can drink so much I wake up still very much intoxicated. Shouldn't I be passing out way before I reach that BAC like old times? I started out my drinking career as a real lightweight. So clearly, my body is still a lightweight, it's my brain that's become superhuman.

I found this article that explains why this is the case in no uncertain terms. We often hear in very general terms about how alcohol disrupts the GABA (inhibitory neurotransmitter)-glutamate (excitatory neurotransmitter) balance. Well, to be specific, alcohol parks itself not in a GABA receptor, but in the NMDA receptor, where glutamate should go, slowing brain activity and "taking the edge" off. As time goes on, the brain has to create more NMDA receptors so it can function normally under the sedating effects of alcohol. This is what makes AL withdrawal so dangerous. AL has rendered GABA moot, but all of a sudden, glutamate starts parking itself in all those extra NMDA receptors, basically making the brain go crazy. And there's not enough GABA to counter it.

Anyway the rest of the article deals with experiments that could lead to drugs that makes withdrawal a much safer experience. Interesting stuff:

The Rockefeller University - The alcoholic brain

[Alky]

The best explanation of tolerance I've found yet

Based on this knowledge, I may give campral another try, since it stimulates GABAa receptors while preventing large amounts of glutamate from overwhelming the brain.

EDIT: Question: Does anyone know if these extra NMDA receptors go away over time with abstinence or even reduced AL consumption?

[paulywogg]

The best explanation of tolerance I've found yet

Good article Alkie,i just got a full bottle of campral on my last doc visit,think its time to crack it open,i dont think the receptors go back to normal,probly why when people are sober for years and they go back to drink some o.d,can't get high,i dunno

[paulywogg]

The best explanation of tolerance I've found yet

Also Alkie,this question may be dumb but if its glutamate rushing around or whatever,would taking the. l-glutamine be helpful?

[Alky]

The best explanation of tolerance I've found yet

Pauly, I would advise not to drink at all while on campral. I've done it, and you get drunk faster and the hangovers are worse. Plus, with the campral, alcohol and glutamate sloshing around together in the brain, I would guess that the brain will adapt by forming even more NMDA receptors increasing tolerance that much more.

I am not sure about the relationship with l-glutamine and glutamate. Since l-glutamine is an amino acid, I always thought of its purpose being to help with the body physically recover after prolonged periods of stress, like a bender.

[paulywogg]

The best explanation of tolerance I've found yet

Im not drinking now,i figured i could start the camral hoping to get it in my system to avoid drinking again

[Alky]

The best explanation of tolerance I've found yet

Be patient with the campral Its effects are subtle and it takes 4-7 days for the effects to really be felt. I think the reason it's not discussed around here more is that people aren't patient enough with it.

[redhead77]

The best explanation of tolerance I've found yet

Pauly,

I think it might depend on the dose of L glutamine. I've read higher doses in alcoholics could increase glutamate and contribute to anxiety. Higher being greater than 3000mg/day in what I've read. There are a few posters here who have taken massive amounts too-like 15,000mg/day or maybe more and felt like it was very helpful. Who knows?

I've read that Campral contributes to healing in the alcoholic brain. People probably don't talk about it because you're supposed to be abstinent when you take it. Good luck and I hope it helps Pauly and Alky.

[spiritwolf333]

The best explanation of tolerance I've found yet

This info might be of interest as well:

Intranasal Oxytocin Blocks Alcohol Withdrawal in Human Subjects - Pedersen - 2012 - Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research - Wiley Online Library

Here is an excerpt from the study:

"This is the first demonstration that OT treatment may block alcohol withdrawal in human subjects. Our results are consistent with previous findings in rodents that OT inhibits neuroadaptation to and withdrawal from alcohol. OT could have advantages over benzodiazepines in managing alcohol withdrawal because it may reverse rather than maintain sedative-hypnotic tolerance. It will be important to test whether OT treatment is effective in reducing drinking in alcohol-dependent outpatients."

[Alky]

The best explanation of tolerance I've found yet

Oxytocin is the hormone that's released during an orgasm. Clinical proof that hangover sex works :l

Of course I'm no longer hungover, and I'm separating, so the point is moot for me

[Alky]

The best explanation of tolerance I've found yet

Interesting?oxytocin is the hormone that's released during an orgasm. Clinical proof that hangover sex works. :l

The point is moot for me though, since I'm no longer hungover and I'm separating.

[Alky]

The best explanation of tolerance I've found yet

paulywogg;1645913 wrote: i just got a full bottle of campral on my last doc visit,think its time to crack it open

Hi Pauly, have you gone on the Campral yet? I'm on day 4. It's strange - I'm having a whole different set of side effects (maybe because it's combined with baclofen this time?). My first experience with Campral was pretty benign except for wicked diarrhea that would kick in like clockwork after every dose, but nothing else. This time, no diarrhea, but it makes me kind of dizzy and really hot and sweaty. Especially at night - my tshirt will be drenched. I haven't had anything to drink in a while so I know it's not detox sweats, but it's along those lines.