Odd to Feel an Adrenaline Damperoff-Switch
Bupropion
Citation:   MrMoran. "Odd to Feel an Adrenaline Damperoff-Switch: An Experience with Bupropion (exp110942)". Erowid.org. Apr 26, 2018. erowid.org/exp/110942

 
DOSE:
150 mg oral Pharms - Bupropion (pill / tablet)
    repeated smoked Tobacco - Cigarettes  
BODY WEIGHT: 155 lb
I suppose I should give my experience with bupropion, as I feel it might be medically valuable to know. At the beginning of this report, I was taking 20mg Adderall XR.

Bupropion is a SNRI - basically inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine, dampening the fight-or-flight response. Unlike most anti-depressants of SSRI-class, Bupropion's effects are felt quickly (no 2-week period), and its cessation is much easier compared to some classic SSRIs. One very unique quality about it is that it's particularly effective in the cessation of nicotine, if one so chooses. Let me elaborate on that.

My friend gave me one of her bupropion pills for me to try, and I found it to be quite effective in many ways. The background thoughts in my mind went away, I felt level and normal, less dynamic. But I liked the calm and piece of mind it gave me. Interestingly enough, like some anecdotal reports suggested, I also felt less of a desire to smoke cigarettes. I had to get a prescription to really see what 30 days would do.

[Erowid Note: Driving while intoxicated, tripping, or extremely sleep deprived is dangerous and irresponsible because it endangers other people. Don't do it!]
Adjusting to bupropion was interesting at first. I remember after smoking a bowl of cannabis, my friend and I went on a drive, and a semi-truck moved from the on-coming lane into our lane, and I remember saying, 'Hey, Ashleigh? Does that truck look like it's in our lane?' She replied, 'yeah.' To which I then replied, 'I think we should pull over.' It was probably about a half mile from us, but I did not feel my heart rate spike. I did not feel anxious. I felt as though I was staring death in the face, and I was like 'Okay. So what?'

A few days later, it had snowed, and there was ice-pack on some backroads. My car, being rear-wheel drive, meant it had less traction for those conditions. I decided that I wanted to test bupropion's affect on my fight-or-flight response a bit more. After skidding around a few corners doing 70mph, I had my hand on the wheel, and my other hand on my jugular, checking my pulse. It wasn't rising, and my mood wasn't changing. After realizing I should have felt more scared, I called it a day and drove home at the suggested speed limits.

All that said, I will now talk about its effects on the cessation of smoking. When I started taking Bupropion and before, I was at about a pack a day. By the end of the first week, my physical cravings for nicotine dwindled significantly, and I was down to 5 cigarettes a day. The physical cravings were gone, but the psychological habits (like smoking when you get into the car, or on the way to class, etc.) were still there.

Some I've talked to say that it made them angry, particularly middle-aged men. I don't know why. It's just a trend I noticed. Younger people don't seem to have this reaction as much.

It doesn't seem to interact much (if at all) with any psychedelics, either.

Exp Year: 2017ExpID: 110942
Gender: Male 
Age at time of experience: 22
Published: Apr 26, 2018Views: 4,977
[ View PDF (to print) ] [ View LaTeX (for geeks) ] [ Swap Dark/Light ]
Pharms - Bupropion (87) : Combinations (3), Retrospective / Summary (11), Medical Use (47), Therapeutic Intent or Outcome (49), Not Applicable (38)

COPYRIGHTS: All reports copyright Erowid.
No AI Training use allowed without written permission.
TERMS OF USE: By accessing this page, you agree not to download, analyze, distill, reuse, digest, or feed into any AI-type system the report data without first contacting Erowid Center and receiving written permission.

Experience Reports are the writings and opinions of the authors who submit them. Some of the activities described are dangerous and/or illegal and none are recommended by Erowid Center.


Experience Vaults Index Full List of Substances Search Submit Report User Settings About Main Psychoactive Vaults