fayerody, alexandra_k,

Also thanks to all who replied. Dr. Wylie, this thread has become long, but I do appreciate your input as well.

You see I don't ingest anything that has potential to change my "virgin" (to effexor) brain cells until thoroughly researched; so your answers have been of great assistance to me. I have already been burned years ago with benzodiazepine "dependence".

I hope there can be an understanding of why I am so fearful of becoming "hooked, dependent, brain neurons changed forever, habituated, need like insulin" you name it.