Abilify late phase & Wellbutrin first phase ~ 10months so far
I decided to make this post to possibly help others understand how these meds helped and still help me quit stimulants for 10months so far and how they interact with our current brain (after use)
Most of stimulants are either monoamine releasers or reuptake inhibitors. In simple words - > in case of Methylphenidate (NDRI) the drug amplifies endogenous dopamine signaling while amphetamines and Cathinones like 4-mmc (releasers) partially overrides endogenous dopamine regulation reversing the dopamine transporter to release it.
The first phase of quitting is exhausting. especially when you dealt for so long with binging, lack of sleep, overwork OR - > porn and stimfapping. You are basically addicted to 3 drugs at once at this stage and it s harder to ignore the fact you can't do it anymore. But it eventually gets better trust me. Not a cliche, just facts.
Dopamine IS NOT really about hedonic pleasure. Overtime, our brain does not merely ‘seek pleasure’; it learns that certain sequences predict dopaminergic reinforcement (like rituals, when you prepare your dose to snort when then it burns etc) . These sequences become deeply encoded behavioral loops. The ritual itself is more addictive than the high. This is why craving can intensify before consumption and why relapse can occur long after withdrawal subsides: dopamine is heavily involved in wanting, prediction, pursuit, and learned salience, not simply enjoyment or hedonic pleasure.
The person may no longer feel euphoric, yet the reward system continues to mark the drug-related ritual as biologically important. Yeah, terrifying.
Why Wellbutrin helps the first stage: Bupropion’s not really a dopamine reuptake inhibitor per se. Compared to Methylphenidate which is thought to occupy greater than 50% at dopamine transporter sites, Bupropion (at max dose 300mg) occupy 14% to 26%. Not negligible but not really therapeutic if you re looking for a straight stimulant (and you shouldn't (this is not what you re looking for.
Instead, it s a potent norepinephrine transporter blocker. Inhibiting NET strongly automatically and involuntarily affect dopamine in prefrontal cortex only. Venlafaxine and other NET blockers do it too but Bupropion is mostly the authentic one
So The intetesting thing is that in prefrontal cortex this effect is not about reinforcement or reward. Affecting dopamine in PC promotes wakefulness, arousal and boost attention & motivation. This is why Bupropion’s not really euphoric or addictive. It just takes away that depressed part of your brain who abused stimulants and makes you get up from bed and try to live your life, do your tasks, at least 40% normal at first. Note: there is still no enjoyment at this stage. You gotta be patient and quit other strong dopaminergic substances even alcohol will make things worse IMO.
Abilify - > a D2/D3 partial agonist. This is the most interesting and intriguing medicine because it s an antipsychothic but lately it s been more and more prescribed for depression. The reason is not something pharma conspirational or monely related. In fact, it s a good med and let me explain why:
Simple words : Abilify at mid to high doses mostly activate dopamine autoreceptors which inhibit release. This is very useful if you suffer from stimulant induced psychosis, paranoia, voices - > its getting everything quiet without completely shutting off dopamine like 1st and 2st generation antipsychothics. A functional antagonist at its finest.
But this still can be useful at low doses like 1-2mg for those who do not struggle with psychosis. Abilify at this dose does not block dopamine making you feel even worse (actually, it can provide a mild baseline stimulation in pathways that are underactive while simultaneously preventing excessive phasic overstimulation. In practical terms, this means it may reduce compulsive reward-seeking, intrusive stimulant cravings, emotional impulsivity, and dopaminergic chaos without producing the emotionally flattened state associated with stronger 1st & 2st antipsychothics). - > the main reason it works in depression.
Notes:
- Wellbutrin in my opinion should be taken short term, the first phase is the hardest. You deserve all the help you need and this meds really provides it but its metabolite Hydroxybupropion is a non competitive nicotinic antagonist and long term can blunt dopamine release. It becomes useless to use it long term. I tried and failed. I learned to use it short term and then finally switch to other med that affects NET too - > Venlafaxine or Duloxetine.
- Abilify is sometimes associated with compulsive behaviors like gambling or shopping addictions. It s obviously dopamine related as I explained earlier. The best thing to do is to talk to a doctor first and if it makes things worse, just stop using it. I never had these reactions and they are still considered rare.