[T-800]

Hi, there forum. As should visible on my profile, I am here due to what could most closely be called "schizoaffective disorder"—a sort of intermediate between bipolar and schizophrenia. I take Seroquel and Xanax for my condition. What I've noticed is that Xanax holds back not merely anxiety, but also distinctly psychotic thoughts, like that I am in Hell. Negative symptoms are also somewhat diminished under the influence of Xanax.

This intrigues me. What is the mechanism at work? My own personal suspicion is that activity of glutamate vs GABA is being "balanced out". Some research puts the schizo* spectrum down to (probably inter alia) excessive glutamate activity. Because glutamate is the brain's primary excitatory neurotransmitter, and GABA its primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, I suspect a) that my condition is at least partly due to a relative excess of glutamate activity and b) Xanax so has its anti-psychotic effect by enabling the GABA system to work more efficiently and "restoring the balance".

But that is only an educated guess on my part. I would appreciate it if someone more knowledgeable about this subject added their input.

[Travelinglady]

Well, I guess being knowledgable about this subject counts me out. I do take a benzo, though, and I just thought it was for anxiety. But I've also taken Seroquel. It really knocked me out. (I have Bipolar II, by the way.)

It will be interesting to see if anybody can say!

[InfiniteSadness]

I also think benzo's can help with anger/agitation in my experience... what is glutamate?

[T-800]

Originally Posted by PAYNE1

Well, I guess being knowledgable about this subject counts me out. I do take a benzo, though, and I just thought it was for anxiety. But I've also taken Seroquel. It really knocked me out.

What's funny is that that effect is barely present with me.

On two separate occasions I've taken 600 mg of Seroquel in one day.

This seems to support your idea, in that it states that Xanax enhances the effects of GABA.

Well of course it does; that's non-controversial. It is an allosteric agonist of GABA-A receptors i.e. it helps them do their normal job more effectively but cannot act on its own. What I am trying to figure out is how it mediates its apparent anti-psychotic action with respect to me. It is not merely anxiolytic.

Originally Posted by InfiniteSadness

I also think benzo's can help with anger/agitation in my experience... what is glutamate?

I just told you above ... the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain.