Klonopins effect on weight training, and weight loss.

[livethedreamadam]

Looking for some help from some of you chemistry people here.. I have a panic disorder and have used Klonopin for about 3 years now. I used to take it regularly, but for the last 2 years I have just taken it as needed. *might be once a week*

Can someone help me understand its role in the body when it comes to muscle building and weight loss.

Do people who take this get sensitive to stimulation like stress and then get increased cortisol output??

I also was reading that it will inhibit cold-induced thyroid stimulating hormone. Does anyone know what this is refering to??

I want to be able to understand this drug since I will probably be taking it for a long time.

*Note* I take it now as needed, which is usually about once a week, and I one dose is 1mg. Thought you guys might ask that.

[reteidxx]

One tablet once per week will have no effect at all on your workout program. Dont' even worry about it.

[lokerman]

I'm amazed you were able to cut back like that on the dosage. I was on that stuff and when I tried to come off I went crazy. I had to go back on and took several months to taper and even to this day have remaining problems from it.

[livethedreamadam]

I'm amazed you were able to cut back like that on the dosage. I was on that stuff and when I tried to come off I went crazy. I had to go back on and took several months to taper and even to this day have remaining problems from it.


Well when everything first started... I was taking 1 mg three times a day. I did that for about a year. Then tapered down, I hardly take it at all now. Usually the only reason I take it is to help fall asleep if im having trouble sleeping. Good luck though, its not hard to taper down over time.

[WTF??]

Well when everything first started... I was taking 1 mg three times a day. I did that for about a year. Then tapered down, I hardly take it at all now. Usually the only reason I take it is to help fall asleep if im having trouble sleeping. Good luck though, its not hard to taper down over time.


That's pretty much what I've done. I've been on it on and off for nearly 10 years. It had no noticable effect either way on my workouts. If anything I was more focused when I was on it. I know when taking it at night I go into a much deeper sleep and require less hours. I think a better quality sleep would be good for workouts.

[lokerman]

man you guys are lucky. Myself and other people I've known have had horror stories to tell about klonopin withdrawal. There have even been claims of permanent brain damage. Even though you guys seem to have no problems, I just wanted to speak up so people don't think it's a good idea to take it.

[40plusnewbie]

What is the skinny on benzodiazapines (although I think technically klonopin is an anti-seizure med but widely used for anxiety issues) and their impact on nutrion and body building if used regularly (aside from say making someone tired so they won't life as aggressivley or something)? Klonopin, Valium, Ativan, Xanax, etc?

[lokerman]

I don't know about bodybuilding and nutrition issues, but they will fry your brain if you use large doses for an extended period.

[livethedreamadam]

What is the skinny on benzodiazapines (although I think technically klonopin is an anti-seizure med but widely used for anxiety issues) and their impact on nutrion and body building if used regularly (aside from say making someone tired so they won't life as aggressivley or something)? Klonopin, Valium, Ativan, Xanax, etc?

I'm still waiting on some scientific info here, or chemist smart guy or something.. not being rude to those who have posted, i appreciate all the feedback! hopefully someone will chime in that has a little more insight..

[livethedreamadam]

I don't know about bodybuilding and nutrition issues, but they will fry your brain if you use large doses for an extended period.

can you be a little more specific on what you mean by "fry your brain"?? do you have research that supports this? personal history??

[lokerman]

personal history. I took 5 mg/day for 2 years. I could not think clearly, dropped out of college. Still have mild residual symptoms such as heightened sensitivity to sound, and I have been off for 18 months. I used to belong to a support group at benzo.org.uk/
you should check them out. the benzo island forum is where the support group is.

[luceri84]

i was on klononpin for 2 years at 9mg/day.. it isn't going to fry your brain but if you're on it long term (you shouldn't be like i was), it can turn you into a zombie. i'm curious, why klonopin over xanax? xanax halflife is 12ish hrs which might be better for sleeping than the 30+hrs of klonopin.

regardless, i'm sure it effects other people differently, but in my experience this really had no effect on my development. the most direct effect it had was a decrease in aggression thus less intensity for pushing out of plateaus and whatnot. it can cause drowsiness pretty hardcore until your body adjusts to it but after that it wasn't bad. it had no significant impact on my muscle or fat gain/loss.

[livethedreamadam]

i was on klononpin for 2 years at 9mg/day.. it isn't going to fry your brain but if you're on it long term (you shouldn't be like i was), it can turn you into a zombie. i'm curious, why klonopin over xanax? xanax halflife is 12ish hrs which might be better for sleeping than the 30+hrs of klonopin.

regardless, i'm sure it effects other people differently, but in my experience this really had no effect on my development. the most direct effect it had was a decrease in aggression thus less intensity for pushing out of plateaus and whatnot. it can cause drowsiness pretty hardcore until your body adjusts to it but after that it wasn't bad. it had no significant impact on my muscle or fat gain/loss.


9mg is pretty strong. i know very cleary what the effects are, i've taken it for 3 years now. but what i want to know is what effect does this drug have on metabolism, thryoid output, cortisol etc..

obviously those who have taken this drug or any drug at extreme doses for extended periods of time are going to have more long term side effects, which would be more serious. but i seriously doubt that brain damage would occur at such infrequent and small doses.

as for klonopin vs xanax... ask my doctor. i don't know the answer to that.

[skywalker45]

i was on klononpin for 2 years at 9mg/day.. it isn't going to fry your brain but if you're on it long term (you shouldn't be like i was), it can turn you into a zombie. i'm curious, why klonopin over xanax? xanax halflife is 12ish hrs which might be better for sleeping than the 30+hrs of klonopin.

regardless, i'm sure it effects other people differently, but in my experience this really had no effect on my development. the most direct effect it had was a decrease in aggression thus less intensity for pushing out of plateaus and whatnot. it can cause drowsiness pretty hardcore until your body adjusts to it but after that it wasn't bad. it had no significant impact on my muscle or fat gain/loss.

Longer elimination half life usually equals lower chance of addiction because you need less of a drug. In my experience though that is not the case here. I am right now trying to get off Klonopin. It's a bitch! It has started to effect every part of me and I just read somewhere that it can cause reduced sex drive and impotence in men over the long term. That was enough for me. I'm getting off the **** asap. Just waiting for my doc to call to give me a taper schedule. Friggin' drugs. Can't seem to make it without 'em but they can sure as hell **** you up.

[Catchol]

Looking for some help from some of you chemistry people here.. I have a panic disorder and have used Klonopin for about 3 years now. I used to take it regularly, but for the last 2 years I have just taken it as needed. *might be once a week*

Good for you! I experienced a panic disorder several years ago and I found that Klonopin was very helpful if I took it (only) when I couldn't "talk myself down". After a few months of this, I realized I was taking it less and less because just having it with me and knowing that I could end any panic attack in less than 30 minutes was extremely helpful in changing the ways of thinking that would lead to these panic attacks.


Can someone help me understand its role in the body when it comes to muscle building and weight loss.

I have heavily researched benzodiazepines and I have not found any evidence to suggest that taking *NORMAL* therapeutic doses have any negative impact on muscle building or fat loss. They do not significantly increase PRL or decrease GH release, and do not increase glucocorticoids (actually, I would assume that they would have the opposite effect under chronic-stress conditions such as anxiety disorders).


Do people who take this get sensitive to stimulation like stress and then get increased cortisol output??

This does not typically occur with the longer-acting benzodiazepines. Short-acting benzodiazepines, like Xanax, have been shown to have a detrimental effect when taken long-term -- they actually exacerbate anxiety disorders -- which would probably result in an increased glucocorticoid response.


I also was reading that it will inhibit cold-induced thyroid stimulating hormone. Does anyone know what this is refering to??

I've never heard this, but if you have a reference I'd be interested in seeing it.


I want to be able to understand this drug since I will probably be taking it for a long time.

Probably a bad example, but I take triazolam (Halcion) every night for sleep and have done so for several years. I have no noticed any negative ergogenic effects and can find no references which suggest otherwise.


*Note* I take it now as needed, which is usually about once a week, and I one dose is 1mg. Thought you guys might ask that.

This is a very responsible way to take this drug and I would not anticipate any problems with this unless you mix it with alcohol or other sedatives.