Risperidone High
What is Risperidone?
Risperidone belongs to group of medications known as atypical antipsychotic, and these are second generation antipsychotic. It works by rebalancing the chemicals dopamine and serotonin to help improve an individual’s thinking, mood, as well as behavior.
When Risperidone Prescribed?
People may be prescribed risperidone to treat schizophrenia. The drug changes certain chemicals in a person’s brain. It may also be used to treat bipolar disorder or manic depression symptoms in adults and kids aged 10 and above. Risperidone may also treat symptoms associated with irritability in children who suffer from autism disorder. 2,3,4
Taking the medication will induce symptoms that include hallucinations, lack of motivation, little desire to stay or be around other persons, disorganized thinking, and inability to organize thoughts or make sense. 2,3,4
Antipsychotics help treat positive symptoms of disorders like psychosis. When we talk of positive symptoms, they are the ones that are added to the normal sensory perception. People having schizophrenia experience different symptoms consisting of positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms. Positive symptoms are the ones that show an excess of the normal functions and they include delusions, hallucinations, and racing thoughts. Negative symptoms are the ones that show a loss or reduction of normal function and they include lack of emotions, apathy, and nonexistent social functioning.8
Atypical antipsychotic drugs may not be addictive and in most cases, they are not abused. So, people may be wondering, how does a risperidone “high” feel and does it actually exist? While risperidone and atypical antipsychotic drugs won’t cause a “high” or they won’t be addictive, they can be abused. That said, an individual may experience deep sleep after taking a large dose and the sleep is very refreshing. Being a dopamine antagonist, risperidone causes a zombifying effect, which may feel the opposite of a “high.”1
Is Risperidone Addictive?
A drug is considered addictive if it produces euphoric feelings that compel a person to continue using it and try to increase the drug dosage to obtain same effect. However, when it comes to antipsychotics, they don’t usually have these effects. That said, there is a common thing found with antipsychotic drugs and the those drugs that are addictive. This is the withdrawal syndrome effect – when you suddenly end taking antipsychotics, they may induce serious withdrawal symptoms. The withdrawal effects include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Stomach pain
- Shakiness
Anyone taking risperidone and wants to stop taking it, they should cut back gradually to alleviate the withdrawal syndrome.
Abuse of Risperidone
People prescribed antipsychotic medications certainly require them, but some people may take the drugs seeking the feeling of being high. The drugs have sedating effects and they may induce changes in the brain. Those who abuse risperidone often use them with other medications or illicit drugs that induce a “high” feeling. These people use the drug for entertainment and not to treat a symptom.6
It’s not common for people to abuse antipsychotic drugs solely, and in most cases, those abusing these drugs use them along with other substances. The risperidone abusers combine the drug with other powerful prescription medications either to alter or enhance the effects of those other medications or even illicit drugs. Combining drugs may cause extremely dangerous side effects.6
Abusing risperidone may contribute to cases of overdosing, something that may cause serious side effects.
Effects of Risperidone High (Overdose) Levels
An overdose caused by abuse of risperidone may bring about side effects like:
- Dry or discolored skin
- Vision problem
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
- Breast enlargement
- Agitation
- Restlessness
Users of the drug may combine it with alcohol to alter the effects of either the drug or alcohol, however, it is highly recommended that this doesn’t happen. Combining alcohol with risperidone may increase side effects associated with the nervous system such as drowsiness, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating.
Reference List
- Can I get high off of Risperidone? https://www.quora.com/Can-I-get-high-off-of-risperidone
- Risperidone (Risperdal). https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Treatment/Mental-Health-Medications/Risperidone-(Risperdal)-en
- What is risperidone? https://www.drugs.com/risperidone.html
- Risperdal (risperidone). https://www.psycom.net/risperdal-risperidone/
- Antipsychotic Medication. https://www.camh.ca/en/hospital/health_information/a_z_mental_health_and_addiction_information/antipsychotic_medication/Pages/antipsychotic_medication.aspx
- Dangers of Antipsychotic Abuse. https://detoxtorehab.com/substance-abuse/antipsychotic-addiction-and-rehabilitation
- Schizophrenia Symptoms. http://schizophrenia.com/diag.php#
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