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ex-Member
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 110
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ex-Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 110
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L-dopa
People normally make their own L-dopa in the dopaminergic neurons in the brain from L-tyrosine :
L-tyrosine > L-dopa > dopamine
If somebody takes L-dopa, their dopaminergic neurons will produce even less L-dopa themselves. This is a process called feedback inhibition, which basically means "the more you take the less you'll make".
So because somebody has to then take more L-dopa to compensate for what they are not making themselves, they will produce even less L-dopa themselves. This is a downward spiral, so that eventually somebody will produce virtually no L-dopa themselves, and become entirely reliant upon L-dopa in drug form.
So can L-dopa be addictive ? Yes it can. Forget the side effects, fluctuations, and toxicity. The greatest problem with L-dopa is that it is a short term cure and a long term cause of Parkinson's Disease.
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