Insomnia Forum Posting

Posted by Abby N on June 27, 2002 at 12:32:19:

In Reply to: Re: Re: ambien for 2 yrs-brain damage? HELP posted by rachel on June 26, 2002 at 21:30:43:

Hi,

'Benzo receptors' are actually receptors for the neurotransmitter GABA (gamma amino-butyric acid), which is primarily an inhibitory neurotransmitter (meaning that, when it binds to its receptor, it causes hyperpolarization, and the neuron is less likely to fire an action potential). Benzodiazepines and similar substances (like Ambien) act by binding to a place on the GABA receptor different from where GABA itself binds, but when benzos are present, a little GABA goes a longer way -- neurons affected are even LESS likely to depolarize and fire an action potential. This is what makes Benzos and Ambien useful as hypnotics.

After repeated use of benzos, neurons do adapt in a variety of ways. One of them may be downregulation of receptor synthesis -- so FEWER GABA receptors. This is an attempt at synapse homeostasis. The neuron is trying to keep things in balance. It senses too much GABA-ish activity and compensates by giving GABA and benzos fewer things to bind to. So long term benzo (or Ambien) users may have fewer GABA receptors.

The thing is, as benzo use is reduced or eliminated, the neurons again try to keep things in balance -- eventually upregulating receptor synthesis so that there are an appropriate # of GABA receptors to balance the amount of GABA activity.

So the bottom line is, DON'T WORRY about 'brain damage'. Brains are remarkably plastic. They can change this way, and they can change that way. Most prescription sleep drugs can cause rebound effects because of this plasticity. But also because of this plasticity, the rebound doesn't last forever.

I hope the Sand Family doesn't construe this as medical advice. I'm not a doc but I do teach this stuff.

A.N.

Follow Ups:

• Re: Re: Re: Re: ambien for 2 yrs-brain damage? HELP bettz 20:43 7/02/02 (0)

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