5 replies to this topic

[Galaxyshock]

Ok I decided to give this medication a try for general anxiety. I was prescribed 10 mg of Buspirone twice a day and started taking it two days ago. To my understanding it takes 2-4 weeks for full effects. I feel some mild lightheadedness after taking it but no other side effects yet.

 

Something to watch out for with this medication? Successful anecdotes?

 

I did a quick search and it seems some take it up to 60 mg a day. I may ask for dose increase after few weeks if it doesn't seem to work?

[Galaxyshock]

Update:

 

Day 12 now on Buspirone. It seems surprisingly effective for anxiety but I've started experiencing mood lability. I seem to switch between feeling good and then somewhat miserable? I kinda feel like I should tough it out since Buspirone seems way better choice than benzos for anxiety, but I've also read that this side effect may not disappear even in long term use of this medication. Not sure yet what I'm going to do.

[Galaxyshock]

Update:

 

Day 17 now on Buspirone. I decided to up the dose to 10 mg three times a day as adviced by doctor. The emotional lability signficantly decreased when I stopped taking Ashwagandha, I think there's some interaction with Buspar. Always check possible interactions with your supplements etc. when starting new medication fellas 

[Galaxyshock]

Update:

 

Been on Buspirone for over two months now. It's decent anxiolytic medication for general anxiety, but does have some issues. Tolerance doesn't seem to build much, but sometimes I feel as if it lacks efficiency - sort of a fluctuation in terms of anxiolysis. I also notice mild withdrawal-like feeling if I miss a dose and mood swings. Not sure how long I will stay on it, my prescription was refilled for 6 months but I don't quite like the idea on staying it for long-term as it might be harder to quit at some point and it's also pretty expensive.

[gamesguru]

Not a bad choice. Buspar is relatively well-tolerated IMO compared to a lot of other medicines (in terms of gene expression changes, drug interactions, incidence of life-threatening reactions, and long-term influence on brain chemistry), but if it's making you dizzy and giving you brain fog, it might be best to lower your dose or quit entirely.

CBD is difficult to attain in Finland, but there is ample promising research into its benefits on anxiety. It works by the exact mechanism as Buspar (5-HT1A agonism), and it potentially has a few others, too (GABAergic regulation^[1][2] and mild FAAH modulation^[3]); similar to Kava, it has mild persistent or long-term benefits even after the medication has worn off. It is generally well-tolerated and has substantially fewer side effects or risks compared to most anxiety medicines available on the pharmaceutical market. CBD also has zero addiction potential or dependency liability; rodents do not self-administer it in an addiction model, and it does not substitute for any drug of abuse in a drug discrimination study. It does not affect cognition, cause brain fog, impact one's mood, or have any withdrawal effects.

Therapy, meditation, reading, self-acceptance, exposure, and abstaining from substance use can also help reduce anxiety. Kava and Magnesium have a growing body of research in the treatment of anxiety.


References

[1] A GABA-A receptor response to CBD following status epilepticus in the medial entorhinal cortex of the rat | bioRxiv. <https://www.biorxiv....816v1.abstract>

[2] GABAergic Neurotransmission in Human Tissues Is Modulated by Cannabidiol. <https://www.mdpi.com...729/12/12/2042>

[3] Diversity of molecular targets and signaling pathways for CBD - Almeida - 2020 - Pharmacology Research & Perspectives - Wiley Online Library. <https://bpspubs.onli....1002/prp2.682>

[Galaxyshock]

I stopped the Buspar, the cog fog and dizziness weren't worth it. Some fluctuating anxiety and dysphoria seem to occur as possible withdrawal symptoms, but nothing unmanageable.

 

Thanks for the tip Gamesguru, CBD might be a good anxiolytic supplement that I haven't really given a proper trial. It is expensive in Finland but maybe I'll figure something out.