7evenvox22
legalize prostitution
- Joined
- May 29, 2025
- Posts
- 97
- Reputation
- 110
- Introduction
Why People Use Alcohol
- Alcohol lowers social anxiety, reduces self-consciousness, and increases confidence by:
- Enhancing GABAergic inhibition (relaxation, anxiolysis).
- Reducing prefrontal control (disinhibition).
- Boosting dopamine in reward circuits.
- Problem: Alcohol carries significant long-term health risks (liver disease, cardiovascular burden, neurotoxicity), as well as short term detriments to our goals (inhibition of mTOR and protein synthesis, caloric burden)
The Search for Better Alternatives
- Compounds that modulate GABA or glutamate signaling reproduce some of alcohol’s desirable effects (anxiolysis, disinhibition, sociability).
- Four notable candidates: Pregabalin, Baclofen, Lamotrigine, Memantine.
- Each targets overlapping but distinct mechanisms in the GABA-glutamate balance.
- Mechanisms of Action
Pregabalin
- Mechanism: Binds α2δ subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels → ↓ glutamate, norepinephrine, substance P release.
- Effects: Strong anxiolysis, relaxation, social ease.
- Similarity to alcohol: GABAergic-like disinhibition without ethanol metabolism.
Baclofen
- Mechanism: GABA-B receptor agonist → ↓ excitatory neurotransmission, ↑ relaxation.
- Effects: Reduces social anxiety, promotes calm confidence.
- Similarity to alcohol: Mimics ethanol’s GABA-B activation (ethanol indirectly activates both GABA-A and GABA-B).
Lamotrigine
- Mechanism: Voltage-gated sodium channel blocker → stabilizes neuronal membranes, ↓ glutamate release.
- Effects: Subtle anxiolysis, mood stabilization, emotional blunting.
- Similarity to alcohol: Doesn’t induce disinhibition directly, but lowers over-excitability that fuels anxiety.
Memantine
- Mechanism: NMDA receptor antagonist (low to moderate affinity).
- Effects: Dampens excitotoxic glutamate activity, improves cognitive flexibility.
- Similarity to alcohol: Provides some disinhibition and calm via reduced glutamate drive, but with clearer cognition.
- Practical Applications (Educational)
Pregabalin
- Best for: Social anxiety, parties, performance situations.
- Profile: Provides alcohol-like calm and sociability; stronger “confidence boost.”
- Cautions: Dependence and tolerance possible with daily use; synergistic sedation with alcohol or benzos.
Baclofen
- Best for: Individuals who want a relaxed, calm social presence without intoxication.
- Profile: More muscle relaxation than euphoria; less reinforcing than alcohol.
- Cautions: Sedation at higher doses; risk of dependence at sustained use.
Lamotrigine
- Best for: Reducing over-arousal and social inhibition in anxious or irritable individuals.
- Profile: Subtle, stabilizing - doesn’t mimic alcohol “buzz,” but may make social interactions easier through calmness.
- Cautions: Rare risk of Stevens-Johnson syndrome; requires slow titration.
Memantine
- Best for: Enhancing openness, curiosity, and reducing social threat perception with preserved cognition.
- Profile: Calms glutamatergic overdrive without dulling mental sharpness.
- Cautions: Can feel dissociative at higher doses; mild headache/dizziness possible.
- Evidence Base
- Pregabalin: Proven effective in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD); studies show strong anxiolysis and improved social functioning.
- Baclofen: Used in alcohol dependence; reduces craving and anxiety; some evidence of pro-social calm.
- Lamotrigine: Evidence for mood stabilization, anger reduction, and anxiety control; indirect effect on inhibition.
- Memantine: Trials in anxiety, OCD, and alcohol dependence show reduction in compulsive over-control and improved social ease.
- Risks and Considerations
- Pregabalin: Risk of tolerance, withdrawal, abuse in some.
- Baclofen: Can cause muscle weakness, dependence at high doses.
- Lamotrigine: Rare but serious rash risk; otherwise very safe.
- Memantine: Few systemic risks, but higher doses may cause derealization.
- General: Combining these with alcohol or other depressants can dangerously amplify sedation.
- Comparison to Alcohol
- Pregabalin is the closest alcohol substitute in terms of social anxiolysis + disinhibition, but safer metabolically.
- Baclofen provides calm relaxation but less “fun” buzz.
- Lamotrigine offers subtle mood-stabilization, not a direct replacement.
- Memantine provides a unique, “clear-headed disinhibition,” possibly the healthiest long-term option.
- The Stack I Usually Take
- 100mg Lamotrigine
- 250-300mg Pregabalin
- 50-75mg Baclofen
- 10mg Memantine
I find this stack to replicate a similar level of inhibitory signaling as a decent alcohol drinking session, but with far less neurological, physiological or financial burden. And achieving this effect through 4 separate pathways allows for much better sustainability and less tolerance build-up. I am not recommending you to take this stack - consult your doctor.
