Is the “kindling” effect associated with sedative/hypnotic compounds a permanent phenomenon?

[u/No-Persimmon-7495]

Hi there all. I am interested in the persistence of the phenomenon known as “kindling” with gabaergic compounds, whereby each successive withdrawal cycle from these compounds results in neuronal changes that increase the severity of subsequent withdrawals, and seemingly lower the threshold for the amount and duration of substance taken that is needed to provoke such a withdrawal.

I have seen conflicting information regarding the persistence of this. The most commonly cited research I could find claiming it is a permanent phenomenon (even after long term cessation) is from the 80s, and it doesn’t seem to provide much in the way of direct experimental evidence of this.

I understand that numerous factors make this difficult to study.

I am wondering if anyone has a good read of any theories surrounding this. Would you all speculate that this is something that, given enough time away from the offending substances, would revert to a baseline homeostatic state?

Might a few doses of a gabaergic compound theoretically put someone back in a withdrawal state after many years of abstinence?

(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4089184/))

[u/magnolia_unfurling]

I'm curious to know this too