Paradoxical reaction to neuroactive substances

[Old_Owl]

I stumbled across something interesting tied to brain structure and ADHD- Paradoxical reaction to neuroactive substances. Basically, as a result of the different signal processing of ADHD brain, certain substances (drugs) may result in paradoxical reactions. The classic example of the effect of stimulants to treat ADHD. Or, for me, drinking a pot of coffee and getting a great night's sleep.

What was new to me is this also includes local anesthetics (like novocaine), sedatives, antihistamines, and some painkillers.

Big "ah-ha" for me. I have always argued with dentists that the novocaine wasn't working, more than once going through a lot of pain to get a filling. I have shocked doctors coming out of anesthesia mid-surgery. And sleeping pills only get my mind racing.

This is not universal to all cases of ADHD, but it isn't uncommon.

For me, it is just another piece of the puzzle in understanding myself and how, and why, I "tick"

Sharing this in case this helps/sheds light for someone else.

[JLJS]

Thank you for sharing this. I knew about coffee calming ADHD but hadn't heard about the other things.

[Jozlynn]

This makes complete sense to me! Pain meds, for example, make me very talkative and I can clean my whole house. Vyvanse calms me down. Benadryl makes me both sleepy AND feel like I'm coming out of my skin. I've always had 'opposite' reactions to a lot of meds and never related it to my ADHD at all, but that makes sense!

Thanks for sharing!

[Old_Owl in reply to Jozlynn]

Right? It made so much sense when I read it, but didn't connect the dots. Like you, benadryl makes me feel like I need to scratch my skin off- doctor once said "it's all in your head." How right he was in such a wrong way. 😀.

[Jozlynn in reply to Old_Owl]

😂 It's ALL in our head!

[LucyGS in reply to Jozlynn]

Pain pills have always acted like speed to me and I don’t think it’s because of the lessening of pain.

[Jozlynn in reply to LucyGS]

I 100% agree. I don't think it has anything to do with the lessening of pain.

[RanchoguyCA in reply to Jozlynn]

My understanding is that Oxycodone (any opioid) can increase dopamine release in the brain, just like stimulants. That's why some people with ADHD can become addicted to opioids.

I take oxycodone for my RLS (restless leg syndrome) and I become talkative, and I can see the world much clearer. Unfortunately, my brain becomes too active and gets in the way of trying to fall asleep. But that can also come with ADHD. I wish I could stop taking it, but is the only thing that works.

Benadryl I avoid because of my RLS, but when I used to take it a long time ago, it would wake me up.

Totally makes sense to me as well.

[Mamamichl]

Although I don’t get this with most medications, I have tried marijuana and it made me paranoid and freak out, no matter which strain I tried. Between that reaction and my parents freaking out when they were almost caught growing in the 90s, I get triggered just by the smell unless I am forewarned. Coffee seems to help my kids too with calming down, and although we are told not to let them have it, it helped get my 1 yo off the breast and actually poop because she is always constipated.

[STEM_Dad]

Your lack of response to novocaine reminded me of a bit of trivia. Natural redheads are said to have a higher pain tolerance, but also a weaker response to some pain meds (non-opioids), requiring more to experience the pain relief effects. Novocaine is a non-opioid.(According to what I read, some redheads are actually more sensitive to opioids, requiring less for full effect.)

Are you, perchance, a redhead?

My older brother is (he has thick, coarse red hair...very telling of our Irish ancestry), and he does have higher pain tolerance. I can remember that he didn't need much of his prescribed pain medication when he had his wisdom teeth removed.

(I have reddish hair, too, but I'm not a true redhead. I was a blond as a kid, and my hair is now a dark strawberry-blonde, made up for very fine strands. I probably take more after our Norwegian ancestors. I have a lower pain tolerance. When I had my wisdom teeth out, I used my meds as prescribed and still had a lot of pain...it lasted about 3 weeks longer than it did for my brother.)

~~~~~

I also respond to some medications in contrary ways.

Caffeine doesn't calm my down, exactly. However, it does help stabilize my mood (and I think not just in a stereotypical "don't talk to me until I've had my morning coffee" kind of way).

Caffeine also doesn't really "wake me up", and it also doesn't keep me from falling asleep. I can drink coffee all day right up until I go to bed and then sleep just fine.

My experience with Adderall is that it doesn't make me hyper or jittery...it only acts like it should for someone with ADHD, by improving my attention. (It just doesn't work as well for me as it does for many others with, so I'm on a non-stimulant that does work better for me.)

[Old_Owl in reply to STEM_Dad]

Interesting. I don't have red hair, nor does anyone in my family, but maybe a regressive gene. Either way this stuff is fascinating

[STEM_Dad in reply to Old_Owl]

😆 if I'm not mistaken, red hair is caused by a recessive gene. Thus, it's possible to have one red hair gene and not know it.

But I'm sure that there is so much variation in genes that there are many which might have similar effects.

[PurpleRules in reply to Old_Owl]

Coffee doesn't really wake me up in the morning but can interfere with sleep at night. I limit to one large cup in the morning. It does seem to help with ADHD. Another thing I noticed years ago was that appetite suppressants make me ravenously hungry and very emotional and irritable. Novacaine doesn't work on my sister-in-law, but she doesn't have ADHD.

[SunniM]

thanks for sharing this. I have had the same issue with dentists and coffee helps me stay focused and less anxious when my med is wearing off. Have you tried another dentist? I switched to a new one and told them upfront that I have trouble getting numb. Now they just give a little extra or a different kind and I’m good. I’m so glad they don’t question me or give me a hard time like my other dentist.

[Old_Owl in reply to SunniM]

I learn a long time ago to choose my dentist wisely. Even then I have got to prove it every now and then. Ultimately, if they don't listen to me I find another dentist