The combo might make you more energized and motivated. Views…
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Are you talking caffine and nicotine or stronger stuff?
By stimulants I mean Ritalin, Adderall, Concerta, Modafinil
I would like to know if anyone has given this a try
I would be careful. I’ve been told that stimulants could make SZ symptoms worse
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I tried an analogue of Modafinil since going onto antipsychotics and found that the effect was greatly reduced for me compared to before taking antipsychotics. It worked to an extent and I did get some relief from negative symptoms, but I had to take a lot more to get a noticable effect and even then it was very much dampened down. It may be different for other people.
I’m guessing it’s due to the action on dopamine.
I’m not proud of self medicating my negative symptoms, but it’s something I have tried and I know it’s not a good idea and have stopped that for now in case I make matters worse.
Its okay to self medicate I guess. I am trying to be careful though.
Stimulants do increase dopamine
But the antipsychotics block dopamine receptors and most of these stimulants increase dopamine or the reuptake of it. I’m no doctor, but I’m guessing the Modafinil analogue didn’t work well because the meds block dopamine.
I tried 40 mg Winstrol oral once to see if I got any of the increased alertness and aggression I did when I took it before antipsychotics but I did not feel a thing.
Tried it twice*
I guess these all effect people diffently. Negative symptoms really suck.
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Stimulants are okay, but I find psychostimulants a big no no. I was on Wellbutrin for a bit and it made my psychosis worse. But everyone is different.
When I was on low doses of stimulants like adderall and such I didn’t notice a huge difference in my psychosis on very high doses though my hallucinations would increase drastically
On wellbutrin though that ■■■■ made me ■■■■■■■ crazy avoid that stuff.
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Bigjon had the same experience on wellbutrin, I would steer clear of it myself but I’ve heard of many others swearing by it.
I wanna try these stimulants kind of, to see if they could permanently snap me out of negative symptoms.
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When I was put on the Haldol shot a lot of drugs quit working for me. I did white crosses, powder cocaine, ecstasy, and none of the drugs had any effect on me. I know I didn’t get ripped off, either, because other people sampled my drugs and said they were good. I think my addiction to caffeine is entirely psychological. I sure think I have to have it, though.
Dexedrine is one of the main and or only reasons why I had racing and intrusive thoughts. I recommend staying away. A police officer writing me a ticket was the reason for the break of all things, of course this eventually worked against my best interest. You may or may not recover from a break on an amphetamine.
I used to take ecstasy pills every weekend, but as soon as I got schizophrenia, ecstasy made me worse, it’s like mind reading from everyone when you have schizophrenia and take ecstasy. Oh well, I hate that drug now and that was like 16 years ago. But I used to love the feeling.
This was when I first had schizophrenia and was unmedicated.
I also used to love tea, but schizophrenia killed that for me too. But now I drink tea because Abilify allows me to. Thank goodness!
Antipsychotics block D2 (First generation) and D1 D2 D4 D5 receptors (Second generation).
Amphetamines, cocaine, ritalin, ephedrine, etc all indirectly (Amphetamine, cocaine, methylphenidate/Ritalin) increase neurotransmitters in the synapses (NE, 5HT, DA) or Norepinephrine, Serotonin, Dopamine.
You will not get good results with the antipsychotics while being on stimulants BUT caffeine is or seems to be fine (If taking lithium, caution!!! Caffeine decreases lithium levels in blood = decreased effectiveness of lithium).
If you are tired from the antipsychotics like i was for 5 years, do the smart thing… TAKE THE ANTIPSYCHOTIC AT 8PM-9PM BEFORE BEDTIME. Antipsychotics are also called Major Tranquilizers so even if is has no antihistamine effects (Latuda) you will still be exceptionally tired and unable to stay awake during the day. In comparison, benzodiazepines like Xanax and Valium are Minor Tranquilizers.
Hope this helps!
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I think under careful supervision people w psychotic disorders should be allowed to go on modafinil which is not as intense/dopamine boosting as other stimulants. APs can be incredibly debilitating when it comes to sedation and I think all options possible should be taken to make living with these meds long term bearable.
Modafinil never had any effect on my symptoms. However it doesn’t give you energy or affect your focus it just makes you not feel like you have to fall asleep. So I usually supplement it with a cup of coffee. (Interestingly it seems to bolster the effects of caffeine for me. One cup of coffee never used to do anything for me I’d need energy drinks and whatnot but now one coffee gets me focused and a large one keeps me up all night)