Update: November 27th, 2019 – It’s been brought to my attention by multiple readers that gabapentin may come with severe risks such as respiratory depression, and much worse withdrawal symptoms than my research originally indicated. I didn’t realize that gabapentin was such a controversial medication when I published this article. Please do extensive research before using gabapentin for anxiety, and consider all of the risks involved. Please also heed to the warnings about combining grapefruit juice with medications like gabapentin, which can lead to extremely serious consequences.
Contents
Introduction
No, I’m not high on gabapentin while writing this article. But, I do have a dear friend who’s prescribed gabapentin, and she’s experienced some positive results that you’ll want to hear about. That’s why I’m writing this article.
Plus, gabapentin is a prescription medication that has become wildly popular in recent years, mostly because of its potential value in treating anxiety.
So, if you’re interested in using gabapentin to manage your anxiety, this article will give you everything that you need to know.
Specifically, this article covers:
- Why you might choose to use gabapentin for anxiety
- The potential benefits of gabapentin
- The downsides of gabapentin
- Is gabapentin useful for ADHD?
- 3 helpful tips for taking gabapentin
Let’s get started…
Why you might choose to use gabapentin for anxiety
First, we should clear the air about something important.
Gabapentin is technically an anticonvulsant, which means that it was originally developed to treat epilepsy, or prevent seizures from occurring (1).
While gabapentin is still used to prevent and suppress seizures, it’s now commonly used to relieve neuropathic pain, assist with restless leg syndrome, and treat a variety of anxiety disorders.
These anxiety disorders include:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Panic disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
It’s worth noting that gabapentin is prescribed off-label when it’s used to treat anxiety disorders. But don’t worry. This just means that gabapentin is commonly prescribed for reasons other than its intended use. Many drugs, like modafinil, are regularly prescribed off-label.
In terms of effects, gabapentin is often compared to a moderate benzodiazepine like Xanax. After taking gabapentin, there’s a chance that you’ll feel euphoric, calm, talkative, and clearheaded. The keyword here is clearheaded, because most people enjoy the fact that gabapentin doesn’t make you feel sluggish.
I laughed when I saw one Redditor explain that taking gabapentin feels like waking up on Christmas morning.
If taking gabapentin can make you feel like you’re celebrating Christmas, then I’m genuinely happy for you. Sometimes, you need to use an effective pharmaceutical solution that helps you cope with whatever pain you’re experiencing.
And best of all, some research shows that gabapentin is psychologically non-addictive (2). This could make gabapentin superior to benzodiazepines in terms of safety, if you have the ‘addiction gene’ like I do.
This is an effective drug that could be of great use to those suffering from severe anxiety, when nothing else seems to work.
The benefits of gabapentin
Gabapentin may be useful for managing anxiety symptoms without causing you to develop a strong dependence on the medication.
So, if you’re prone to unnatural levels of worrying, nervousness, fear, insomnia or irritability – gabapentin might be able to help you solve your anxiety-related issues over the long-term.
This is the biggest benefit of taking gabapentin. It might help you live a normal, functional lifestyle. Some people even feel motivated or energized after taking gabapentin.
If you have severe social anxiety, for example, then using gabapentin could make group interactions feel much more “natural” to you.
Another powerful benefit of gabapentin is that it’s a relatively “clean” medication.
It’s reportedly low in toxicity, meaning that most people can use gabapentin without having to worry (if used responsibly, of course).
The downsides of gabapentin
The biggest downside of gabapentin seems to involve issues with tolerance.
Some people build a tolerance to gabapentin relatively quickly, which means that gabapentin’s effectiveness could slip away over time. Of course, not everyone will experience issues with tolerance. Some people are able to use gabapentin successfully for many years.
Interestingly, you can’t just “take more gabapentin” to solve your tolerance issues, either.
It’s been reported that there is a lack of proportionality between increasing your doses of gabapentin, and experiencing stronger effects (3). In other words, any extra gabapentin that you take beyond your standard dose will likely be wasted, since you might not feel any additional effects of the drug.
So, for many people, the rapid tolerance issue is the main downside that comes with using gabapentin.
But, it’s also important to take all of the normal precautions that you would consider before using any prescription medication. For example, you shouldn’t use gabapentin in combination with alcohol or other medications (unless approved by your physician first). You shouldn’t take gabapentin while pregnant. And, you shouldn’t use gabapentin if you have renal impairment (kidney failure), due to the risk of toxicity.
I also have to mention that some people report experiencing fairly negative side effects while taking gabapentin (4). In one study of the long-term use of gabapentin (following a traumatic spinal cord injury), 22% of gabapentin users discontinued the drug due to ‘intolerable side effects’ (5). There are also many anecdotal reports of short-term memory problems, weight gain, sleepiness, and various other issues that may come from using gabapentin over the long-term (6).
So, please make sure to consider all of the potential risks involved before using gabapentin. I wish I had some hard evidence to offer in regards to the side effects of using gabapentin over the long-term. I always like to err on the side of caution whenever possible. But, there just isn’t all that much objective information available on gabapentin, since the drug has only been in circulation since 1993. You’ll have to use your best judgment here, and consult with a doctor who you trust.
Is gabapentin useful for ADHD?
If you’re a regular reader of this website, then you might get the feeling that I spend a lot of time writing about ADHD and anxiety.
This is because ADHD is often comorbid with anxiety. This means that if you have ADHD, there’s a decent chance that you have anxiety as well.
So, this should be a no-brainer, but I’ll explain it anyway:
> If you only suffer from ADHD, then gabapentin probably won’t do much for you
> If you suffer from ADHD and anxiety, there’s a chance that you’ll find value in trying gabapentin for yourself (while under the care of a physician, of course)
I’ve had a LOT of success in reducing my ADHD symptoms as a result of targeting my anxiety in general.
For example, when I feel like I have a good grip on my anxiety, I also find it easier to concentrate on improving my work output, relationships, health, and overall quality of life.
Several people report similar findings. Rather than experiencing racing thoughts, gabapentin might help you clear your mind, and feel more at ease with life.
It’s also worth noting that gabapentin and ADHD medication are sometimes prescribed together.
One study shows that gabapentin and methylphenidate (Concerta) helped a young boy with ADHD remarkably (7). The subject of this study suffered from bipolar disorder as well. But, he showed a significant improvement in his mood symptoms.
Gabapentin seems to make taking stimulant ADHD medication much more tolerable for some people. It counterbalances the edgy feeling that one might get from using amphetamine or methylphenidate.
Overall, gabapentin should be considered on a case-by-case basis if you suffer from ADHD. You would need to chat with your physician about this, because gabapentin has to be prescribed off-label for treating ADHD symptoms.
3 helpful tips for taking gabapentin
If you and your physician agree that gabapentin is a good option for managing your anxiety, then you can follow these 3 helpful tips for taking gabapentin:
1) Take gabapentin with citrus
Citric acid seems to help gabapentin absorb in your stomach. You can try taking your gabapentin with a fizzy soft drink (like 7Up) and a squeeze of lime. For a healthier alternative, you can take a quick swig of apple cider vinegar mixed with water.
2) Eat fatty food after taking gabapentin
Make sure to enjoy a nice, hearty meal after taking your gabapentin (when possible). This will greatly help your body absorb the gabapentin.
3) Find your minimum effective dose (MED) and stick to it
Because many people build a tolerance to gabapentin, it helps to find your minimum effective dose (MED), and stick to it. Your MED is simply the smallest dose that gives you the best results. In other words, you should preferably be conservative about using gabapentin, so that you can extend its usefulness for as long as possible.
Conclusion
Gabapentin may be one of the most useful medications for treating anxiety, and occasionally ADHD symptoms.
If you suffer from any kind of social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), or panic disorder, then gabapentin might be one of the options that you consider.
Have you used gabapentin for your anxiety or ADHD symptoms?
Please let me know your thoughts about this drug in the comments section below. I look forward to hearing from you.
I am a nurse by profession. I have just went through a nightmare with my father and my beautiful sister both being suicidal on this medication and suffering withdrawal that surprised both myself and their Doctors. My father was prescribed Gabapentin for neuropathy and my sister for anxiety. As a nurse in a family practice office. I am now appalled at the mass over prescribing of off label usages for this class of Anticonvulsant medications Gabapentin and Lyrica. The suicidal ideation and emotional side effects of these medications are well documented by evidence but are not taken being taken seriously enough by the medical profession at this time. The pharmaceutical history of this medication changed laws and regulations for off label marking at the Supreme Court level with a RICO violation. It’s obvious that those efforts are still being felt today.
Hi Susan. I definitely appreciate your comment, and I think you’ll notice that I’ve updated my article to reflect the serious risks involved with this drug that have been brought to my attention. When I originally conducted my research for gabapentin, I read mostly positive reviews from people who used gabapentin off-label for anxiety. Even my dear friend who’s currently taking gabapentin for anxiety is experiencing positive effects so far. But, I now understand the seriousness of this drug, and I will continue to edit this article (when I have the time) to make the risks of suicidal ideation and emotional side effects even clearer.
Plus, because you’ve now commented on this article, people will take note of your thoughts. So I appreciate you sharing your story on here. I actually hope that we can start a conversation on here, and spread even more awareness about the risks of taking gabapentin. I’m always open to spreading the truth about medications – and it looks like this article missed the mark when I originally published it.
When you write hundreds of articles like I do, it occasionally happens.
I don’t totally agree with the suicidal ideation of the drug. This needs to be looked at closely. If the drug is given to patients with psychiatric conditions then suicide may be an issue in addition to the drug where taking it or not doesn’t change the tendencies. I am a paramedic and familiar with drugs also. I personally take gabapentin and found it to be an amazingly effect drug in positive ways. I never experienced anything suicidally imposing.I think too it has to do with proper dosing. I know too much can be heavy on a person. I believe this drug used properly can have amazing benefits for many people with a wide variety of issues.
Thank you for your comment Grady.
I took a lot of heat for writing this article, but I initially had the same viewpoint as you while writing this article.
Someone close to me has had a very positive experience with gabapentin too.
I agree that drugs can effect people totally differently, and it’s hard to make blanket statements about the effects that any individual will experience.
I was intrigued by your information on Gabapentin. I was prescribed it for pain associated with shingles, and it was effective, especially when I took more than the number of pills prescribed. It also helped me sleep wonderfully, with great dreams. When I told my doc how much I was taking she said, “you can’t take that much!!!” I thought, well I’m taking the amount that I need for the pain. I took it for about a month with no negative effects. Now I guess I understand my doctor’s reaction. I had no idea it is a anti anxiety treatment.
Thanks for your comment Betsy!
Hi Betsy,
My pain management doc put me on gabapentin a couple of years ago to help with my nerve pain in my legs. I am on 4 300 mg capsules a day. I do not feel anything when I take one. She is lowering my 30 mg oxycodone from 7 pills a day to 4 pills a day which I got was very difficult. I am feeling in a lot of pain,
Jim
Paxil with Gabapentin cancels out the suicidal ideation. Simple chemistry. Check with doc first.
Not for everyone…
I’m wondering if it’s for me. I took 300mg yesterday morning, another 300mg late afternoon and 600mg. before bed. Yesterday was only day three. The only side effect is dry mouth and I feel loopy. It hasn’t touched my anxiety. Just wondering how long it takes to work and how long I should give it
I love your writing, very helpful thank you.
What do you think the lowedt possible minimum adult ganapentin dose ito be effective for ADHD and anxiety?
Thanks so much Chris.
I’m not too familiar with the best specific dose of Gabapentin that one should take.
Please ask your doctor about that for the best results!
I would like to know too. Take vyvance. Gaba helps my stomach issues with vyvance , anxiety, arthritis pain and hot flashes. Is it any more dangerous than an antidepressant eg zoloft
Gabapentin has been a life saver for me. Early January i had a situation that threw my anxiety over the edge. I went home from work and started heavily drinking. Next thing i know i wake up in the ER because i swallowed a bottle of Zoloft that my Dr. prescribed me for my anxiety. Turns out that was the absolute wrong choice for me. I was put on a 72 hour hold in the mental hospital where i was evaluated and given Gabapentin and Effexor. I was on 75mg effexor and 900 mg of gabapentin a day. After my 30 day follow up i noticed my anxiety coming back, i was constantly moving, stuttering my words… My Pyschiatrist and I decided to double my dose to 150 mg effexor and 1800mg gabapentin a day. I am now at a state of ease. I can clearly focus on my job and life without being overwhelmed over the smallest things. To be clear, i was not suicidal, not in the slightest. I don’t even remember my episode. I was diagnosed with anxiety and mania, Zoloft is the exact opposite of the medication i needed.
Heather I’m sorry to hear about what must have been a horrifying experience in your past.
But I am happy to hear that you have a much better outlook now that you’re using Gabapentin. Congratulations on that Heather.
hi
ive been taking Neurontin for about ten years primary for my phantom pains due to an amputated leg.
i eatb 3600mg/day and its helping taking my neuro pains away aswell as taking my anxiety away, i have GAD, and im not at all so restless as before.
i used to take benzo before in big doses along with oxycontin but i had to faze them out and had very big withdrawals but now i only need buprenorphine bandaid combined with nuerontin and zopiklon for sleeping which i always been taking.
i think i have undiagnosed adhd but thats another issue
i have never stopped taking it so the withdrawal symptoms i do not know anything about.
Thank you for the comment Antonio. I hope Neurontin is helping you kill those phantom pains due to your leg. I wish you the best going forward!
Hello Antonio,,
How is it going with your Gabapentin? I’m on 3600mg also per day. For anxiety. You’ve been on it for 10 years? Long time! And it still has effectiveness? I’m scared that it will eventually wear off like so many say. So far, I’ve been on it about 6 months. I can tell right now that it’s life is shorter than it was before. I’d say about 2.5 hours, then it starts wearing off. I feel very edgy and have to go home at that time.
Hello. Thanks for this informative article and for sharing your thoughts. I was searching for info on Gabapentin for ADHD on behalf of my husband who has diagnosed ADHD and also suffers with anxiety. I found your article and felt I should share my own experience.
I was recently prescribed Gabapentin for fibromyalgia and anxiety. I also have sensory processing disorder and suspected bipolar which runs in my family but I’ve never been diagnosed with it as I’ve only presented during depressive episodes.
I have been going through a very dark episode of depression after suffering a major life trauma a couple of months ago. I was having suicidal thoughts and my GP convinced me to try Gabapentin for anxiety and the fibromyalgia pain after having bad experiences with anti depressants in the past. She had also read up that Gabapentin can be useful for some bipolar patients with anxiety as it can act as a mood stabiliser, Now I’m not a fan of big pharma and have always tried to heal myself and manage my conditions holistically but things had gotten so bad, including angry rages, I felt I had to do something else to try and help myself and those around me before I completely self-destructed. I was really worried about trying anything after a bad experience with Amitriptyline which messed me up for days after taking just one pill at the lowest dose.
However, Gabapentin has been amazing. I’ve been on it for nearly 2 weeks now and it’s been helping me with the fibro pain, giving me some energy, making me want to do things I enjoy that I had lost all interest in, improving sleep, reducing anxiety and stabilising my moods. Most importantly the suicidal thoughts disappeared and no more angry outbursts. I’d say Gabapentin made me less bothered by things that used to really bother me before. Made me more chilled out but still in control of my life and taking care of my responsibilities, unlike other meds that can just turn you into a zombie. The only side effects being brain fog, dry mouth and some sleepiness. I felt this was a small price to pay to rid myself of the other horribly debilitating stuff.
However I am now starting to feel that my body has adapted to it as the angry episodes are starting to creep back, as is the pain. The anxiety still seems to be in check but the past few days I’ve experienced what I now think may have been a hypomanic or manic episode which I now realise involved some mild psychosis. I’m due to see my GP in a few days and I’m thinking they will up the dose due to the initial success. Or add another med. I’m really hoping we can find a dose that gives me the results I had in the initial stages of taking it as Gabapentin has been completely life-changing for me.
I really think it can help my husband with his anxiety which could have a knock on effect on his ADHD symptoms so I’m going to suggest he speaks to his GP about it. He’s currently not medicated.
Anyway I just felt I should share this with you and your readers. I don’t normally comment on things like this but after reading the first comment I felt compelled to share my own experiences as everyone has different reactions to medications and what can be dreadful to one person could be life-saving to the next.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience Milly. I really appreciate it! Many readers will find your story valuable.
It’s great to hear that Gabapentin has been life-changing for you, by the way, like it has been for so many other people.
I wish you the very best going forward 🙂
This is really helpful. I’m on day 4 which is day 2 of 300mg three times a day. I started with 300 then 600. I feel great,I’ve dropped a few things but I can be like that anyway. I’ve become focused and creative and see things much more positively. I am a bit tired as it wears off after a few hours do might have to increase dose.
I still experience pain, but it’s like I’m observing it from it rather than being immersed in it. Not sleeping the best, but I’m sure that will come.
Like yourself it took a lot of convincing from my GP to try it for pain as I’ve had awful experiences with SSRI’s before and amytriptilline. I’m also menopausal and he’s not keen on HRT until I see a specialist due to my high BMI. I’m on a short career break just now .
How did you get on with the adaptation? Did you get your dose increased ? I hope your husband got the support he needed too.
I started taking gabapentin for a cervical spine injury and realized how easy it has been for me to talk to people lately. Even my co-workers have noticed a change and I even noticed that I have been a lot more outgoing. Today I thought hmm.. I haven’t had any panic or anxiety issues for the last couple weeks, I should research and see if this can be used for Social Anxiety and Panic Disorder and YAY it can be. I am so excited I am going to talk to my doc at my next appointment about using them for that. I have both and when they get into high gear it takes all my strength not to quit my job and lock myself in my house, (thankfully I have a good employer these days and they work with me when they are that high) and on a normal day I talk as little as I can and only interact with those I have to and have to prepare myself when I have to go outside my box.
I am a little sad about the possible building of a tolerance. I have tried so many other things and they either knock me out or make me feel hazy and Gabapentin does neither to me. I seriously cannot remember when I have ever been this outgoing.
That’s amazing to hear how well Gabapentin works for you Jennifer. Many people respond extremely well to it, so that’s great to hear you’re doing well. I truly wish you the best.
Gabapentin helped my insane anxiety quite a bit.
So awesome to hear that Homero.
I have severe anxiety, depression as well as severe panic attacks. I also suffer from a type of agoraphobia, PTSD with flashbacks repression and disassociation. My panic attacks can put me in the hospital depending the magnum of it some I have my body will shake and tremble and my. Muscles will lock up and things will start going black, most the time they will make me feel like blacking out every night I wake by 3am and only have my granmum in my life very over people however I was prescribed this medication for my panic attacks when I was having 2-3 massive attacks a day, while it stopped some attacks it has not stopped all And I will still have some anxiety I have gained much weight but don’t know if this medicine is to blame. However this is highly addictive when I don’t have it I start getting really really hot, can’t sleep and throw up. It makes my anxiety 3000000 times worse without it and when taken more then prescribed it can enhance other medications. This has gained much much popularity and with people starting to abuse it, gives us who take it how it’s prescribes and for such reason a hard time. While I was much much pleased to read this article I have to say the only thing you didn’t hit on was the addicting part.
Thank you for sharing your story Amber. People will read your comment and appreciate you sharing your thoughts with us. Yes maybe I need to add a section about the addictive aspect of gabapentin. That’s a pretty big concern for most people, as you’ve mentioned.
I was prescribed Neurontin for nerve pain in my back. I also suffer from severe Anxiety all my life.
I could not believe the relieve I got with Neurontin, for my chronic Anxiety.
Michael Whelehan
So happy for you Michael. That’s amazing to hear that you found relief for your chronic anxiety.
I was recently prescribed Gabapentin in addition to other medications. So far, I have returned to my calm, rational, level-headed self. It’s a nice change of pace for me! Hopefully it will continue to work without a tolerance issue.
So happy to hear that Reggie. Hope you continue to enjoy a calm, enjoyable lifestyle 🙂
I am also a nurse, and a daily user of gabapentin for neuropathic pain. I have found to my delight that it also seems to help my ADHD by decreasing anxiety. But I want to emphasize that with any drug, there is way too much of a “prescribe it amd move on” mentality in our health system. Any drug can work well for some, and have serious, even deadly, side effects for others. Patients need regular check-ins – not “come see me in a month”, but “I’ll call you in a week, and a week after that, and until we know how this is working for you.”
Neither blanket praise, nor blanket condemnation, is an appropriate response to any drug.
I agree with you 100% Joanna. Thank you for leaving your thoughts on here. Really appreciate hearing from you.
This is great to hear, I’m s nurse too and had to stop my work in cancer support because I was becoming impulsive, argumentative and generally intolerant of my co workers. I’m on day 4 of gabapentin , do up to 900ng and I feel so relaxed and happy. Not sure if I can drive though as I feel more clumsy and slower than usual
My 10 year old son has ADHD and was experiencing anxiety. I’ve always used natural supplements to help him through it. We’ve taken him in to the drake institute and to the amen clinic for for neuro feedback and a brain scan to with many other tests to see how his brain works. We discovered the type of ADHD he has . I stuck with just using the recommended supps , but his anxiety was getting worse and he needed a boost. The doc prescribed gabapentin 2 times a day. At first I thought it didn’t work and it just made him sleepy. Then we went to 1 time a day and it did nothing . We bumped it back up to 2 pills a day , gave it more time and now I’ve seen wonderful results! We’ve been so concerned about putting him on the typical ADHD meds bc of all of the scary things I’ve researched. Fortunately, he doesn’t need a stimulant, but this gaba has worked pretty good . I don’t want to make him a zombie and ruin his personality. The only down he experienced was being very sleepy (fell asleep in class) for about a week in the beginning.I’m thankful there’s something out there that’s not harsh and not addictive. He’s still the same kiddos . His real silly self is there . It just took the edge off. I continue to help him build the coping skills to handle life situations.
Good to know that your son’s anxiety is under control now Missy. I hope you and him are doing incredibly well. I wish you two the very best.
Great Mom. We only have one Life. And we have to experiment on anything that works, with the least side effects. This is it so far. It’s not too bad contrary to what some weak people say about it. I am on 1800 mg. I don’t like being a little dizzy but I am so funny now and all is well.!. Don’t listen to all those sissy’s. Just taper and find some replacement to help you get down when your ready(geez). Being straight is best but take the least harmful way every time one is presented.
Hello! Well, my doctor prescribed gabapentin for me as a combination use for both my hot flashes and migraines. I am a severe chronic migraine sufferer with olfactory auras- because of the fact that I have auras, they cannot “safely” prescribe me hormones for my hot flashes. My neurologist and my internist agreed on the use of gabapentin for my hot flashes AND my migraines. It has been very effective for my hot flashes and night sweats- not sure yet about the migraines. Coincidentally, my husband has been prescribed gabapentin for anxiety and PTSD- so far it seems to be helping him tremendously. His doctor is from Belgium and told us that it is widely used in Europe for alcoholism as well. This is a great article that explains how Gabapentin works in the brain, and physiologically how it’s effective. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3499716/
Thank you for the insightful comment Lisanne. You’ve provided some excellent research for our readers.
Fantastic, I also can’t be prescribed HRT ( although they are waiting for specialist opinion) because of high BMI. I read it can help with got flushes so excited to see if it does. I was getting them constantly for a few months there and they’ve reduced already.
My Dr. Has prescribed Gabapentin to treat my anxiety, as other medication gave me not so great side effects, such as Zoloft which made be feel like a zombie and that was the lowest dose. However, xanex on the other hand 1/2 of (25mg) as needed has been effective, but my Dr is not a big fan.
I haven’t taken the Gabapentin ( 100-300) as prescribed it totally scares me especially after reading the enclosed pamphlet from the pharmacy…… so I’m concerned about taken it.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Kathleen. I can understand your deep concern. Have you tried it yet? How did it go? Curious to know what happened!
My daughter has suffered from severe Depression most of her life. She is also bipolar & became agoraphobic with panic attacks. Not a happy life! The only medication that has improved her quality of life has been Gabapentin. She is actually able to deal with necessary phone calls, appointments, interacting with people rather than avoiding & now taking a once a week class with her dad. These are huge, life saving improvements for her. Still dealing with depression but working on it. It really makes me upset & angry when a nurse gives such a negative review. There really was no proof that this medication had anything to do with her family’s depression & suicidal thought. These could have been separate issues. I have read so many positive reviews of how people’s lives were significantly improved by gabapentin. Really worry that such a beneficial med could be lost due to misuse, inappropriately prescribed & or someone who over reacts to off-label use. Our daughters new psychìatrist was amazed at how well it worked for our daughter, since it was originally just met as an anticonvulsant. She’s on a low low dose which works, that’s what matters to us. People need to do the research & read the reviews. Concerned Parent
Really happy to hear about your daughter’s positive experience with Gabapentin Suzanne. Thanks for leaving your insightful comment on here.
I have been taking Gabapentin for less than a month. I have also been taking Prozac for many years. I too experienced the euphoric effect and felt like someone waved a magic wand over me as it was so pronounced. Being in pain for several years coupled with moderate depression, in my personal opinion, can exasperate those issues. Now I enjoy laughing and having fun like I did for most of my life. Yes I experience sleepiness and other inconsequential side effects, but the benefit at this time far outweighs the negative side effects.
Really happy to hear it’s working well for you Caroline. That sounds awesome.
I take gabapentin with vitamins and other prescribed medication under my doctor advice. I have been taking the gabapentin one week and nothing happen yet. Shall I stop taking this medication now. Whats going on in the news is not helpful.
Please contact your doctor Joseph. I wish you the best!
Gabapentin has been a lifesaver when it has come to my severe anxiety. Nothing else has ever worked!! I began to have a serious drinking problem as the only thing that could overcome severe anxiety. Since being on Gabapentin for a little less than 6 months I feel calmer, can concentrate and do not have the desire to drink!! I just pray it continues to work!!
So amazing to hear that Nancy. I’ve heard multiple stories like yours, where people have had life-changing experiences on Gabapentin.
I have been diagnosed with multiple mental problems, including major depressive with psychotic feature, AD/HD, anxiety, and schizo-affective. I have attempted suicide with pills twice and a wrist smashing once, one attempt last year. Responsibly taking gabapentin has been a near godsend. Everyone reacts differently, but for me it’s been a successful alleviant.
*slashing
So happy to hear you’re doing better SarahLoo. Your situation is a perfect example of why pharmaceuticals work on a case-by-case basis. Keep it up! We’re counting on you!
Hi, I’ve been on Gabapentin about 2 year, only 300mg during day and another 100mg at night. My Dr. just increased it to 300mg three times a day. It’s really nice! My biggest worry is that it I could build up a tolerance to it……….then what? I’ve only been taking this dose less than a week, and their might be a small reduction in effectiveness, but not quite sure about it yet. I’ve read in some places, that for anxiety, it could take up to a month to start “working”. Not sure what that means…Should I expect something in a month? that i don’t already know?
Hi Patrick. I think you should just try to do the best that you can in your situation. Sometimes, there are no easy answers in life. I really wish I could help you further…
Hi, first off I’m not professional in the field, Have bad grammer, and am but human and make mistakes. I found this article after seeing a documentary on pregabalin street abuse in the UK, leaving me with a thirst for more knowledge. I have been taking neurontin for years, knowing no more about it than the fact it has greatly helped me(also at the time I thought that pregabalin and gabapentin where quite similar, I’m till not sure if this is true).
Anyway I struggled with panic disorder, Bipolar depression, PTSD, and social anxiety from the time of a young kid. As teen I tried to fix myself with a wide array of self prescribed street drugs but only accomplished messing up my life more. Later on I tried a wide aray of medications mainly SSRI’s from a wide aray of doctors eventually stumbling upon neurontin which I found with a 300mg dose at the time to dramatically reduce my problems, I quit everything else and still take it to this day(now at 1800mg). I’m quite confused after finding tons of information about the drug online which about 50/50 I relate too. It seems my body does develop a tolerance which however can be fixed with a low increase of the dose, it feels proportional. I have out of curiosity taken both more and less then my prescribed dose and less I feel depression etc, start to linger while more sends me into fits of often angry and violent mania. It seems I do, within just a day(sometimes within hours from when I usually dose), experience withdrawal of almost no physical effects but of more or less depression almost always with suicidal thoughts and sometimes I feel it’s worse then when I started in the first place and because of this I borderline feel addicted and do not want to stop taking them. On the contrary there are some days I forget to take them and don’t even notice till the end of the month When I notice an extra few pills in the bottle. It has otherwise greatly helped me where nothing else yet has. On almost all days it makes me calm and collected, warm and happy, I’m proud of myself and I finally love myself. It makes me often talkative and want to socialize(occasionally accompanied by pleasant but rather quick and racing, or jumbled unfocused thoughts) . Gives me the motivation to better my life and do what makes me happy where as otherwise it’s hard to find the motivation to leave my bed or turn the lights on. I feel relaxed and usually almost euphoric. It gives me the energy to start my day right(energy however that occaisionaly comes with blurry vision[not so bad I can’t function] and restless muscles[not only in my legs]). While on the contrary it occasionally makes my muscles feel verry relaxed almost like a muscle relaxer/ sedative i would imagine, but its only ever in a calm happy way. And it gives me the confidence to deal with life’s problems head on, one day at time. It never makes me sleepy however when I want or need I have o problem going to sleep. I have also noticed that t seems to greatly vary the effect of I take it at a different time either every or every few days(generally with a greater increase in the morning to anywhere from slight increase to no increase to sometimes no effect at all in the late evening). Overall I am happy with it. I’m not sure if I am strange or maybe do strange things that causes it to act this way, or even f this is all normal. I’m also it sure if his will help in any way but you asked for comments so here it is. This is not my real name as id like to remain anonymous but this is all honest, no reason for me not to be Oh and I am 25 years old
Thank you for sharing your thoughts Scott. Really appreciate your comment. I wish you well going forward and hope Gabapentin continues to serve you well.
Hi Scott,
How is it going with your Gabapentin? I’m on 3600mg per day. For anxiety. Does it still has effectiveness? I’m scared that it will eventually wear off like so many say. So far, I’ve been on it about 6 months. I can tell right now that it’s life is shorter than it was before. I’d say about 2.5 hours, then it starts wearing off. I feel very edgy and have to go home at that time.Is you’re still working for you?
I’ve been taking Methylphenidate ER for my ADHD and Gabapentin for my anxiety for a while now, and it has been an amazing combination for me. Gabapentin has really helped me be more functional in terms of my severe anxiety and panic attacks, when many other drugs failed.
I am now tapering down off both, in anticipation of trying to become pregnant. And I will say that, the withdrawal symptoms (depression, anxiety, and depersonalization, for me) of initially stopping both meds cold turkey were pretty intense. However, after resuming the medications, and now tapering slowly, I have had relatively little trouble. I plan to go back on both after I finish pregnancy, as nothing I’ve ever tried has helped me so much, and I’ve tried a lot.
So, that’s my personal experience, for what it’s worth.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience Mae.
Suffer from severe generalized anxiety and adult ADHD. I have tried every drug and therapy out there. A combo of low dose Vyvance and 60mg daily of gaba have made e know what it’s like ti feel normal. While the Vyvance quiets my brain, the gaba calms the fear,anxiety and the need to move, fidget and restless leg. I can only hope it keeps up!
Sorry 600mg gaba
Thanks for leaving your thoughts on here Kate!
I have been proscribed gabapentin for nerve pain,an anxiety/panic attacks.while it isn’t as good as a opioid an not as effective for sudden panic attacks as a Xanax I was on 1mg 4xdaily for 30 yrs an had to go in rehab to get of Xanax so i wouldn’t sez im thankful for gabapentin cuz thats next to a Xanax but no where as additive,I suffered so bad from back pain surgery I just wish i had knew about gabapentin b4 surgery cuz i think I wouldnt suffer so bad now.my point is if anyone can use gabapentin 4 anxiety/back pain do it,, just dt take to much.an thanks for the article.
Thank you Donna!
Be really careful when using this drug. I tried Gabapentin as an alternative to help with my severe pain from a failed spinal surgery. At first, it did help until the side effects kicked in…it felt like I had lost my ability to properly use my own brain, I was so fuzzy headed from this drug, plus, severe facial swelling and a bad facial rash after only 2 months of this drug with increasing the dose up to 1000 at night. I only used this drug for 3 months, then it took 3 months of hell to wean myself off.
I wish there was an answer, or a drug for us to safely use.
Really sorry about your experience Charlotte. I wish there was an easy answer too. I wish I could eliminate people’s pain for them. I would gladly do that. Unfortunately, sometimes there are just no easy answers in life.
I will be starting it soon for anxiety and a bladder condition also pain
I wish you the best of luck Brittany!
Hi! I was prescribed 300mg Gabapentin for neuropathy a year ago. I took it for about five days, and then I had to stop. Besides not helping whatsoever for my acute, and chronic pain, it made me sleep for about 12 hours per night, and I would wake up feeling like a zombie, and feeling truly exhausted for the whole day. Had to be put on Tramadol, which relieved some of the pain, but had some paradoxical effects such as irritability. Months later after surgery, I was going through a lot of anxiety for personal reasons, and could not sleep, and I remembered Gabapentin, of which I had still a couple of nearly full prescription bottles. Instead of taking 300mg, I take only 100mg, only once a day: it worked! It did help me feel calmer, not euphoric, happy, etc, just calmer, as if things were moving more slowly around me. I took it only for a few days, to help me pull through a difficult moment, and then I stopped. Perhaps that is the best way to use this med: on a short term basis, low dosage only, to occasionally manage a rough patch! I think that being calm is something we can perhaps teach ourselves: take Gabapentin to see what being calm feels like, and then try to replicate that state of being, or recall it, without the med. Take the med only rarely to remind you what being calm is supposed to feel like.
You should absolutely do whatever works best for you. It sounds like you’ve found a nice little routine that works!
It doesn’t make me nearly as tired as that. I wish it did. Chronic insomnia
I’m going to be asking my prescriber for low dose Gabapentin along with Tiagabine on 7/25/18.
I have major GAD, major depression, major ADD, and minor Aspargers. The ADD is major to me but not to the diagnosticians. I think that is simply because they don’t want to prescribe stimulants.
I’ve been treated with Paroxetine (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) for GAD since 2011. Now I’m trying to deal with the other things because acute suicidal ideation is part of recent and long term past.
I started Wellbutrin (noadrenaline and dopamine reuptake inhibitor) and Naltraxone (opiod antagonist) 5 months ago. These instantly eliminated my desire for alcohol, nicotine and caffeine. It also eliminated suicidal ideation and impulsive thoughts. I’m starting to normalize (in a bad way) a bit so I’m ready to take on depression, anxiety, and ADD now, before adjusting the ones I’m on now.
So, I’m thinking gabapentin (gaba analog with a long half life) along with Tiagabine (GABA reuptake inhibitor) has trail value for me.
If this happens for me I’ll come back to report.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on here Lawrence, I truly wish you the very best.
I’m using Gabopentin and its a miracle! I feel a little sleepy but I have accomplished more this summer than ever! Socially I’m more active – and the clear-headedness is great!
That’s so awesome to hear Amy. I’m happy for you, and wish you the best.
Hello Amy,,,
How is it going with your Gabapentin? I’m on 3600mg also per day. For anxiety. Does it still has effectiveness? I’m scared that it will eventually wear off like so many say. So far, I’ve been on it about 6 months. I can tell right now that it’s life is shorter than it was before. I’d say about 2.5 hours, then it starts wearing off. I feel very edgy and have to go home at that time.
I was already taking Lexapro for GAD, panic attacks, etc with moderate results. I was prescribed Gabapentin for neuralgia nearly a year ago. It has significantly reduced the symptoms of my neuralgia. I was delighted to find that it also reduced my anxiety symptoms significantly. I’m considering attempting to eliminate the Lexapro. However, my girlfriend told me that she likes the new mellower me on Gabapentin and doesn’t want me to change anything. The positives of the Gabapentin are that I’m more relaxed, able to sleep MUCH better, and I stopped having frequent nightmares where I wake up screaming. I am not noticing a tolerance/reduction of the effects, both positive and negative. The negatives are that it makes me extremely drowsy at times during the day, has caused insatiable hunger and weight gain, and has made me have to force myself to go out and participate in physical and social activities. I tell others that my “get up and go” had “gotten up and went”. I don’t feel depressed about it, just not energized. I’m still convinced that I can find a way to diminish the negatives so that I can continue to reap the benefits of the Gabapentin. From reading others experiences, I believe that everyone’s responses will vary to some degree.
Thank you very much for your awesome comment Rob. I appreciate your perspective!
Hello Rob,
How is it going with your Gabapentin? I’m on 3600mg per day. For anxiety. Does it still has effectiveness? I’m scared that it will eventually wear off like so many say. So far, I’ve been on it about 6 months. I can tell right now that it’s life is shorter than it was before. I’d say about 2.5 hours, then it starts wearing off. I feel very edgy and have to go home at that time.Is you’re still working for you?
This is the first time I’ve read an article that explains the wonder Gabapentin has done for me. It has been life changing.
I’m 31, and I was diagnosed with ADHD at age 6, so life has been long and crazy so to speak. Gabapentin has awakened my motivation. I am on fire (and task) when taking it. I mean it has made me feel “unusually” normal. I have been taking it for one year and have never once highered the dose. I’m on just 300mg a day.
So happy to hear this article helped you Jenna. I wish you the very best.
stefan,
i enjoyed the article.
i am adhd with comorbid bipolar. i have a great psych who errs on the side of caution and is more conservative when it comes to treatment which is what i want b/c i want to do as much as i can on my part and am just using medicine as a stop gap.
adhd with bipolar can be hard to treat b/c lots of add medication can being about a manic state and the anxiety that comes with adhd is just more fuel for a potential fire. gabapentin has been wonderful for me. in fact, it is the only medication i use for a mood stabilizer and i only take 300mg/day in divided doses and haven’t gone up.
as mentioned, gabapentin can help with anxiety, common with adhd, but gabapentin can also help out even more with adhd, especially medicines.
one of the things gabapentin does is that it acts as an NMDA antagonist at the voltage-gated calcium channel. this helps to keep excess glutamate from being released in your brain and is one of the way it helps bipolar but what this also does is that it helps to keep your brain from building a tolerance to adhd medication by keeping glutamate release in check. in very simple terms, the voltage-gated calcium channel acts like a door that controls the flow of glutamate and when you take a dopaminergic substance like amphetamine, that door swings wide open, allowing lots of glutamate out which will have sort of a synergistic effect with dopamine, resulting in euphoria. then, that calcium channel adapts by preparing itself for the next time that happens and doesn’t swing open and wide as before. over time, it continues to swing open less and less and so you may need more medicine for the same results. with gabapentin keeping the voltage gated calcium channel from swinging so far open, that channel can remain functioning normally over time.
love the site btw. somewhat new to discovering it but i read 2-3 articles /week and am catching up.
Thanks so much for your incredibly informed and helpful comment Adam. We really appreciate hearing from smart readers like yourself. I wish you the best!
I started this drug three days ago. 300mg. using it for anxiety. Yesterday, day three I took a total of 1200mg. for the first time. I don’t know how long it takes to kick in, but all I feel is loopy and it’s done nothing for me so far. I know it’s early but I’m amazed at the results people are getting. I also take 50 mg. of Pristiq. My Dr. wants to up that to 100 mg. I had been taking 150 mg. of Effexor XR for 20 years. Two years ago I started having issues dealing with stress. I’m off the Effexor which went really well but I think I’m perhaps dealing with fallout still and not really noticing it. Anyway at this point I’ve been on this new path for about four months now with the bad anxiety n all the crap that goes with it. Honestly, I felt better when all of started four months ago than I do now. Honestly, I’m tired of being a lab rat. Kudos to everyone who is getting results. God bless you all. Keep on fighting. For the rest of us still pulling ourselves out of the darkness, keep on fighting too. NEVER give up. Stay involved in life. No matter how hard it gets. I truly believe this too shall pass because we are all better than this. Good luck to all🙏🏻❣️
Wonderful comment Jy. Thank you for your kind words to everyone reading this article.
Hi,
I have taken Gabapentin for about 2 years now, I have severe social and generalized anxiety disorder, the drug has worked miracles for me, It allows me to think clearly and allows me to finally be myself again. Gabapentin does need to be take very seriously, my psychiatrist introduced me to Gabapentin after she had seen many cases of success for people who suffer from anxiety. I believe Gabapentin does have addictive capabilities, and can be dangerous if not used properly and not prescribed by a psychiatrist for the off label use of anxiety. I believe in the future Gabapentin will be used more and more as a safe alternative to treating cases of severe anxiety, however there are not many studies supporting the use of this drug for this purpose. Gabapentin surely will become a controlled substance within the next few years, it is used on the streets due to its euphoric effects. I take about 2,700 to 3,600 mg of Gabapentin a day, at 900 mg 3 to 4 times a day, depending on the duration of my day, its effects last about 6 hours for me, which I’ve read is normal. Again, I am a healthy 26 year old male and I do not know the effects this drug will have on older individuals using it for its intended purpose like nerve pain. I also suffer from ADHD and believe that this drug allows me to focus only slightly better.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Thank you for your comment Jeff and I wish you all the best going forward!
I love reading all the comments, some people like myself live research. I can across your article while researching GABA, I have to tell you that I was researching because I COULD NOT believe that after 8 years with severe anxiety and fibromyalgia and numerous medications, Gabapentin has Ben an absolute life saver, I used to get up in the morning with severe chest tightness, shortness of breath and sweating for about 3 hours after waking up, I was prescribed clonazapam or clonapin as it’s better known as, that made it better but it was short lived in my system, my doctor who is amazing wanted to up my dose to help get me some relief . I ran into a friend one day, and to make this short she was a new person after years of pain, depression suicidal ideation, i asked her what they finally put her on that made her soooo happy and positive, she said Gabapentin!! Well I asked my doctor what he thought and together in his office starting researching if this was a good choice for me, oh my God!!! It’s a True ,true miracle drug!! I feel Amazing my fibromyalgia pain is close to gone, I have incredible energy and I wake up feeling fantastic! 100mg three times a day that’s it, I must say if you are prescribed GABA try to take it at exactly the same times everyday I believe that really helps your brain adjust, anyone who has had a bad experience I’m so very sorry, I went from 2 antidepressants and 2 clonapin a day to just the gaba 3 times a day, talk about feeling like someone waved a magic wand over me,WOW!!! I pray that people abusing this drug doesn’t get it off the market, it has saved my existence, my insomnia, anxiety and depression are pretty much gone!! Thank you everyone for your helpful comments this is a great forum, thanks everyone and best of luck to you All😉😊
Excellent comment Maria and very happy to hear gabapentin has worked so well for you. I wish you all the best going forward.
I know a few words are misspelled, lol
I was typing too fast.
My name is Gary I’m a 68-year-old male. My experience with gabapentin has been life-changing. The way I like to explain it to people is most of my life before gabapentin I experienced mass confusion at all times in my brain . I explained it as though it was a round room with hundreds of doors before gabapentin all the doors were open and the thought was running rampant. I now take 300 mg three times a day and for the most part the doors are all closed unless I open them. I’ve been taking it for three years now and don’t plan on stopping anytime soon thank you gabapentin.
Awesome comment and thank you for your post Gary!
Wonderful article. Sorry you had negative comments from others but I’m a firm believer that gabapentin is a miracle pill. It really helps me with restless leg syndrome and anxiety!
Thank you very much Heather yes the pill does seem to help tons of people which is why I felt the need to publish this article. I appreciate your thoughts! Thank you!
I enjoyed the article. My only comment is that it’s very irresponsible to suggest that someone take medication with citrus without explaining the dangers in the way it effects potency. Grapefruit, and most citrus fruits act as potentiators to many medications, essentially making it possible to overdose, in effects and toxicity, without intention.
I’ve been on gabapentin for almost a year now, we started low and slowly increased my dose to 600 mg 3x a day which is a perfect amount to keep my levels balanced throughout the day. I have GAD and depression, this medication has really helped me. I am on a mood stabilizer that causes me to feel very blah throughout the day, however when I take it in conjunction with the gabapentin I have an increase in motivation and like you said I feel like it’s Christmas morning. It has also helped with other side effects of taking a mood stabilizer such as low libido. My husband described me on gabapentin as a godsend and said it’s like he has the wife back he hasn’t seen in years. I know a lot of people who have had no positive effects from gabapentin but for me it has really changed my life for the better.
Thank you for your contribution Samantha!
I would like to add; taking citrus and Adderall is not recommended.
Thank you for this article! Gabapentin has been amazing for me. My body typically hates prescription medications and I hate feeling like I’m “on” anything, but I feel normal on gabapentin. Just as a preface, my diagnoses have bounced around significantly over the years, depending on which doctor or psychiatrist I’ve seen. I definitely have ADHD inattentive-type, OCD, anxiety and panic, and some type of bipolar cycling, which I suspect is more cyclothymia than bipolar II. One major issue throughout my life has been intermittent lack of motivation, feeling overwhelmed with even small tasks, and an inability to stick with routines. As you can imagine, this has wreaked havoc on my professional life. I first took gabapentin back in 2002 and I’m not exaggerating when I tell you that after one 300 mg pill it was like the clouds parted and I could see clearly for the first time. I only took it for 9 months, because I was young and I moved, got a boyfriend, etc. My behavior gradually went back to baseline. As I’ve gotten older, my symptoms have gotten even worse, probably due to hormonal shifts. I’ve recently started taking gabapentin again, and I’m seeing all the previous positives manifest again. Workout routines, cleaning my house, working on my master’s thesis…I’ve been able to approach these things with a totally different mindset and without procrastination or the feeling that I’m crawling out of my skin like I usually feel. I took my young son to an outdoor play place today and I went down this huge slide with no fear at all! Normally I get anxiety over rides, water slides, being around large crowds, and so many other things. My heart didn’t even skip a beat! The info in the article about gabapentin in conjunction with stimulant meds is interesting, and I may ask my doctor about it. Stimulants either make me very sleepy or very panicky, with the odd day where they actually help. On the other hand, gabapentin may be all I need. It’s truly been a godsend for me. The side effects I haves experienced are difficulty with orgasm, which is pretty obnoxious. I also tend to retain water from the drug, but weight gain due to appetite increase is not an issue. Food tastes better to me on gabapentin, especially sweets, but I am satiated much sooner than normal, which I suspect may be due to its affect on depression and stabilization of the mood, but who knows? I suggest slow titration and slow weaning, over a period of weeks or months, depending on how long you’ve been on the drug. I honestly have no idea how people could get high on this drug and find that really bizarre.
I’m a nurse who is aware of gabapentin tolerance. I take it occasionally for severe lumbar and joint pain. I have only taken it at bedtime but recently took it at dinner time as I was hurting. To my surprise I was able to focus to finish my computer work which I struggle with daily as I have ADHD and Adderal wasn’t helping and can’t take it late in the day. . I found your web site while looking for information regarding the possibility that gabapentin was helping my ADHD. I’m pleasantly surprised but won’t use for ADD or ADHD because of tolerance and side effects.