So chrono if memory encoding, compatibility with alcohol, and sustainability (in terms of feasibility long term, optimum health, function etc) are not of concern; what would be your most effective/enjoyable recommendations?
I probably wouldn't
recommend the things that would be most enjoyable, LOL. I'm a firm believer that substances aren't inherently evil, and everything has its place as long as it's used safely. And constructing your consciousness on one of the most meaningful days of your life is a time when it might be excusable to use things which are otherwise pretty naughty. Opioids, empathogens, psychedelics, stimulants, other GABAergics/sedatives/hypnotics? Picking from these groups would be a complex choice based on what state of mind you want, your own reactions, and practical usage concerns (i.e. safety).
For situational anxiety in general, without those parameters you mention, benzos might be the best bet. They're very effective, and the immediate freedom from anxiety they offer is very enjoyable if it's something you suffer from. If alcohol was removed from the picture, I'd even say low doses might be appropriate for the wedding situation we're discussing (I'm pretty intrigued by the possibility of ameliorating memory problems, as I posted above). But even here, personal reaction based on physiology and psychology is a big variable. For example, xanax makes me pretty tired at any dose and isn't "fun" at all, valium is barely effective, ativan is very effective while being subjectively "transparent," and klonopin is both effective and delightful. But I know people who have the exact opposite reaction to any of these.
As discussed recently in
another thread (way at the end), opioids also have possibility in this area, but I feel like the effect is less targeted to anxiety than benzos, and anxiolysis is more a byproduct of general euphoria. Probably more enjoyable, but also probably more "dopey" in certain (perhaps subtle) ways.
In the context of the kinds of substances we're interested in here, phenibut is a more recreational-sounding option. A combination of "lesser" substances might be worth experimenting with, too; L-theanine, lemon balm, gabapentin, picamilon. I find dopaminergics like NALT, transdermal nicotine and even manganese to be subtly helpful for social interactions as well. Afobazol and selank are two options which might be useful if built up for a couple of days...these are somewhere between situational and long-term solutions, and may be more or less useful depending on how much general anxiety is mixed in with social.
