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Comment by wizzwizz4 | Hacker News Reader

I would recommend against trying to self-prescribe addictive substances.

I don't think any of those are addictive actually

just because they're not chemically addictive doesn't mean they're not addictive. Weed isn't chemically addictive but plenty of people struggle with it nonetheless.

Weed is chemically addictive. Your endocannabinoid system is downregulated for weeks after heavy use. You get withdrawal symptoms which are alleviated by use.

I've never seen the phrase "chemically addictive" used by someone who knew what they were talking about. It's only used by people who don't understand that neurotransmitters are chemicals too. Stop spreading this BS distinction.

Yeah, a lot of the withdrawal symptoms are so mild or transient people don't think of them as withdrawal or even make the connection. And people seem to think that anything less severe than shivering and unbearable pain, delirium, doesn't qualify as withdrawal.

The most memorable withdrawal symptom from weed for me was the sweating. Cannabinoids tend to affect the hypothalamus which is sort of like the brain's control module for the endocrine system. And one of the things it controls is temperature regulation. So if you quit cold turkey that all gets outta wack and the sweating happens. Takes at least a couple of weeks to get somewhat back to normal.

Correct me if I am mistaken, but aren't withdrawal symptoms more indicative of a dependency than an addiction?

Cessation of SSRIs can have all kinds of symptoms depending on the time length of usage, but I have never heard someone claim to be addicted to SSRIs.

I agree with you. I should have put "chemically addictive" in scare-quotes to make it clear that I think the distinction is silly.

My bad and no offense. I'm a reader darkly. Italics/asterisks are also good.

Psilocybin’s addictive potential is limited to at least 1 week intervals since it would have no effect if taken more often.

Most people “addicted” wait much longer than that — sometimes months to make sure they have a strong trip and offset receptor down-regulation to the point where it can hardly be called an addiction.

same with food?

Well, yes. That's what "food addiction" is.

Ketamine is definitely addictive for a lot of people.

Rapamycin isn't one I've heard of before, but it looks like a does-lots-of-things drug: Wikipedia says it's an immunosuppressant. I'd recommend against DIYing that for a different reason.

Ketamine at the doses prescribed for treating depression has low addictive potential.

The doses used recreationally are multiples of what is regimen for anti-depressive effects.

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