Question:
cut You see, alcohol also affects the balance of serotonin in the brain, and serotonin imbalance has been associated with anxiety disorders.
Arthur I read this a lot. Is it true? My Dr says there is no evidence that alcohol interferes with serotonin in any way, and she’s concerned about how much I drink, so would grab any evidence she could. regards Fred
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : : Arthur Hi Fred, : I read this a lot. Is it true? My Dr says : there is no evidence that alcohol interferes with : serotonin in any way, and she’s concerned about how : much I drink, so would grab any evidence she could. : regards Sorry, I don’t have the reference handy at the moment. Try checking the NEJM or JAMA web sites; see http://www.netaxs.com/people/aca3/asap-ala.htm for the links. I know it’s out there somewhere.
Rats! I don’t know the citation either (and I’m miles too lazy to go look it up in Medline). What I’m sure I’ve read, though, is that, while drinking, lots of serotonin is released (which is at least a part of why it feels so nice), leaving you badly depleted in serotonin the next day (which is at least in part why it feels so nasty). At the least, that’s a gross oversimplification. And it’s probably a very dated source I was reading. And it may be, for all I know, complete crap. (I’m one of those who reacted very badly to an SSRI, so I’m always giving the fish-eye to information about serotonin <g). On the other hand, without doubt I have a healthy respect for alcohol: unless I take the greatest of care, it’ll ratchet up my anxieties in a serious way. Pity. Virginia
Response:
: : Arthur Hi Fred, : I read this a lot. Is it true? My Dr says : there is no evidence that alcohol interferes with : serotonin in any way, and she’s concerned about how : much I drink, so would grab any evidence she could. : regards Sorry, I don’t have the reference handy at the moment. Try checking the NEJM or JAMA web sites; see http://www.netaxs.com/people/aca3/asap-ala.htm for the links. I know it’s out there somewhere. Best Wishes, Arthur
Response:
Gary Cooper schreef: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Alchol and AD do not mix. In the past and in the present, alcohol has been the <snipped It interacts with your nerve endings just as benzodiazamines, opiates, coccaine, marijuana, and amphetamines. They are all addictive. The only difference is that alcohol is more socially acceptable. If you take them without proper medical supervision, they will cause side affects that you will be sorry for after you take them. I really do think this is AA-speak and a bit too extreme. When I was taking ADs my doctor was quite happy if I drank moderately. I’m happy to have trusted his opinion on this. — Gary Cooper
I have been suffering from PD for thirty years in varying gradations, I have been on most meds you could think of and I’ve always drunk some red wine with them and not *always* moderately. I am not a alcoholic by any strech of the imagination and some drinking never interefered with my meds. My pdoc agrees. Philip
Response:
Oh, yeah, sure, blame the insects. Blame malaria on mosquitoes. Blame lyme disease on ticks. Blame soft- ware malfunctions on bugs. One day you’ll be sorry. One day the insects will rise up in revolt and reclaim the land from the vertebrate invaders! The insects will once again rule the planet and carry out their vengence upon the… (ding) Oops, time for my medication. 
Uh, nurse…. make Mr. Anderson’s a *large* one, if you’d be so kind — Gary Cooper
Response:
Alchol and AD do not mix. In the past and in the present, alcohol has been the
<snipped It interacts with your nerve endings just as benzodiazamines, opiates, coccaine, marijuana, and amphetamines. They are all addictive. The only difference is that alcohol is more socially acceptable. If you take them without proper medical supervision, they will cause side affects that you will be sorry for after you take them.
I really do think this is AA-speak and a bit too extreme. When I was taking ADs my doctor was quite happy if I drank moderately. I’m happy to have trusted his opinion on this. — Gary Cooper
Response:
Now that my life has begun to calm down, my AD and PAs seem to be subsiding enough that I have not taken any meds for almost two weeks : ) But in order to fall asleep, I am still drinking in the evening. On nights when I drink moderately, I wake up feeling fine. But on nights where I need to drink more to fall asleep, I sometimes to wake up and go straight into a de-personalizaiton/anxiety episode. Is there some connection? I thought alcohol was supposed to depress the CNS.
Response:
: Now that my life has begun to calm down, my AD and PAs seem to be subsiding : enough that I have not taken any meds for almost two weeks : ) But in order to : fall asleep, I am still drinking in the evening. On nights when I drink : moderately, I wake up feeling fine. But on nights where I need to drink more : to fall asleep, I sometimes to wake up and go straight into a : de-personalizaiton/anxiety episode. Is there some connection? I thought : alcohol was supposed to depress the CNS. Alcohol can releive anxiety for a while, but there is a catch. You see, alcohol also affects the balance of serotonin in the brain, and serotonin imbalance has been associated with anxiety disorders. So, alcohol can be a rather deceptive booby trap for anxiety folks; feeling good at first, but setting the stage for nasty attacks later. Best Wishes, Arthur
Response:
Now that my life has begun to calm down, my AD and PAs seem to be subsiding enough that I have not taken any meds for almost two weeks : ) But in order to fall asleep, I am still drinking in the evening. On nights when I drink moderately, I wake up feeling fine. But on nights where I need to drink more to fall asleep, I sometimes to wake up and go straight into a de-personalizaiton/anxiety episode. Is there some connection? I thought alcohol was supposed to depress the CNS.
The same thing happens to me, and this is what is supposed to happen…when you body and mind are withdrawing from the alcohol , de-personalization and panic are symptoms that easily occur…my doctor even gave me the spiel with the serotonin and dopamine , etc…. this is why i really really try to avoid alcohol…the next day is a killer… i was prescribed a small dosage of doxepin 25mg that i can take at bedtime to help me fall asleep…. it seems to work pretty good…. Jerry
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This is why I continue to participate in sobriety groups even though I don’t consider that to be my primary problem. Now that I’ve been so long without meds, I’ve used alcohol a few times last month just because I was desperate for some sleep. It cost me plenty, and sometimes not even the next morning, but in the middle of the night. It’s not worth it. Brent
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Now that my life has begun to calm down, my AD and PAs seem to be subsiding enough that I have not taken any meds for almost two weeks : ) But in order to fall asleep, I am still drinking in the evening. On nights when I drink moderately, I wake up feeling fine. But on nights where I need to drink more to fall asleep, I sometimes to wake up and go straight into a de-personalizaiton/anxiety episode. Is there some connection? I thought alcohol was supposed to depress the CNS.
Response:
Now that my life has begun to calm down, my AD and PAs seem to be subsiding enough that I have not taken any meds for almost two weeks : ) But in order to fall asleep, I am still drinking in the evening. On nights when I drink moderately, I wake up feeling fine. But on nights where I need to drink more to fall asleep, I sometimes to wake up and go straight into a de-personalizaiton/anxiety episode. Is there some connection? I thought alcohol was supposed to depress the CNS.
Alcohol does depress the CNBS system, AIUI, but I believe it’s a lot more complex than that. I can tell you for certain that exactly the same thing happens to me if I occasionally drink too much and to others who’ve posted to this NG. A hangover is the kiss of death for PD sufferers it seems 
— Gary Cooper
Response:
: : Alcohol does depress the CNBS system, Hey, Gary, what is the CNBS? Central Nervous Broadcasting Service? (grin) Best Wishes, Arthur
Response:
: : Alcohol does depress the CNBS system, Hey, Gary, what is the CNBS? Central Nervous Broadcasting Service? (grin)
Good grief! How did that bee get in there? Someone must have left a window open…. — Gary Cooper
Response:
[...] Oh, yeah, sure, blame the insects. Blame malaria on mosquitoes. Blame lyme disease on ticks. Blame soft- ware malfunctions on bugs. One day you’ll be sorry. One day the insects will rise up in revolt and reclaim the land from the vertebrate invaders! The insects will once again rule the planet and carry out their vengence upon the… (ding) Oops, time for my medication.
You, sir, are an antenna-waving, wasp-waisted, six-legged, chitinous bag of…<ding…oops! Me, too. Virginia
Response:
: : Hey, Gary, what is the CNBS? : : Central Nervous Broadcasting Service? (grin) : : Good grief! How did that bee get in there? Someone : must have left a window open…. Oh, yeah, sure, blame the insects. Blame malaria on mosquitoes. Blame lyme disease on ticks. Blame soft- ware malfunctions on bugs. One day you’ll be sorry. One day the insects will rise up in revolt and reclaim the land from the vertebrate invaders! The insects will once again rule the planet and carry out their vengence upon the… (ding) Oops, time for my medication. Best Wishes, Arthur
Response:
Now that my life has begun to calm down, my AD and PAs seem to be subsiding enough that I have not taken any meds for almost two weeks : ) But in order to fall asleep, I am still drinking in the evening. On nights when I drink moderately, I wake up feeling fine. But on nights where I need to drink more to fall asleep, I sometimes to wake up and go straight into a de-personalizaiton/anxiety episode. Is there some connection? I thought alcohol was supposed to depress the CNS.
Alchol and AD do not mix. In the past and in the present, alcohol has been the drug of choice for those suffering with anxiety. Many with PTSD will turn to alcohol and are AA alumini. Many who are alcoholics are self medicators trying to get rid of their underlying anxiety disorder. I know that my grandfather did this. He had PTSD from WW I and from being in a concentration camp in WW II. He hid the bottle pretty bad. I used to be a mild social drinker until I found that I was feeling pretty shitty even after only having 1 or 2 beers the night before. You are also not to mix alcohol and anti depressants and/ or anti anxiety drugs. I would say "continue drinking at your own risk" Ask your self if you want to feel like shit the next day before you take your next drink today. If the answer is "no" then I suggest that you lay off the juice. Alcohol does something with your brain that changes brain chemistry. The two main neurotransmitters that are affected are dopamine and seratonin. The alcohol molecule attaches itself to your nerve endings for momentary pleasure. It interacts with your nerve endings just as benzodiazamines, opiates, coccaine, marijuana, and amphetamines. They are all addictive. The only difference is that alcohol is more socially acceptable. If you take them without proper medical supervision, they will cause side affects that you will be sorry for after you take them.
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