Experiences - Lunesta (Eszopiclone) Experiences

[Nicaine]

After going through thirty 10-mg Ambien tablets in four days and experiencing actual physical withdrawals today (remarkably opiate-like, with an extra element of agitation), SWIM is getting away from Ambien completely before he gets in deeper than he can sh*t.

SWIM saw his doctor today and got a script for thirty 3-mg Lunesta tablets. His first experiment will be rectal admin of 1.5mg to see if it brings him down off stimulants the way Ambien does, or if it merely "encourages sleep" ala melatonin. It's classified as a hypnotic (sleep-producing) drug, but not a "sedative/hypnotic" like Ambien. SWIM also hopes to add to the body of experience concluding whether Lunesta has any recreational value or not.

Lunesta is supposedly a melatonin derivative of some sort (so are some very powerful psychedelic tryptamines, so let's not knock it quite yet). The chemical name is eszopiclone (s-zopiclone), and it is the active isomer of Zopiclone (Imovane), thus should have identical effects but require lower dosage levels. Blood levels peak in one hour (with a 6-hour half life) following oral administration. The peak should be much sooner using "the other method."

Lunesta 3mg tablets are small, blue and coated. SWIM cut a tablet in half, crushed it, and dissolved it in 4ml of hot water. The tablets dissolve even more easily than Ambien, and the whole process took less than 30 seconds. Actual administration can be explored in threads dealing with rectal admin, SWIM won't go into it here. He's just using it for a first-time test, since it should take effect more quickly.

Note -- Lunesta is purported to leave a bad taste in the mouth (claims have been both immediately and next-morning). SWIM tasted a tiny drop of the dissolved liquid, and indeed this droplet left a horrible, bitter aftertaste in his mouth that has not gone away after drinking a full glass of water! Perhaps rectal admin will be particularly useful with this substance.

T+3 minutes... the bitter taste lingers in SWIM's mouth after *two* full glasses of water. No notable effects yet.

T+10 minutes... SWIM feels some mild effects, akin to relaxation and cancellation of the buzz he had on MDPV (a stimulant research chemical). His vision is slightly altered in a way that's difficult to describe... those who have used opiates and noted a visual "haze" probably have the general idea. SWIM is glad to see the stuff can apparently cancel stimulants, otherwise he may have acquired some Ambien to use specifically for this purpose (he might do that anyway, as it's *extremely* effective for that, even more so than benzos) . Lunesta does not seem to cause tachycardia (fast heart rate) for SWIM like Ambien does, another plus for use after stimulants.

T+18 minutes... some cognitive slowing noted, including more typing errors than usual and "daydreaming" type pauses during which SWIM drifts into a light daze. Subjectively speaking, this feels stronger than 10mg Ambien, at least in terms of "head-messing" effects. There's a mild (VERY mild) euphoria as well which feels considerably less than what Ambien delivers... it's still too early to come to any conclusions though.

T+25 minutes... time is seeming to pass much faster than usual. This is the first time SWIM has ever felt drowsy while high on stimulants! SWIM enjoyed Ambien primarily for the refined sense of euphoria and relaxation it produced... this stuff might appeal more to those who like a cruder high, ala getting drunk on alcohol. Cognitive slowing is quite pronounced. SWIM dosed lightly with more stimulants to try & overcome it. He's not sure what six hours of this is gonna be like.

T+35 minutes... the bitter taste in SWIM's mouth has not gone away, in fact it's hardly even diminished. It's now obvious why they coat the pills, but it remains to be seen whether the systemic effect can produce this taste the morning after use. Effects seem to have peaked. Much less pleasant than Ambien, perhaps because SWIM doesn't consider messing up his head like this to be much fun (which is why he rarely drinks). Those who consider "blotto" to be a goal may enjoy this a lot. It could certainly substitute for alcohol in some ways, minus the puking and head spinning effects. SWIM thinks if he wasn't on stimulants, he would either be asleep or sitting around in a sort of stunned daze. Note that SWIM is basically immune to blackouts and hallucinations from benzos/sleep aids, and can't say if others would be experiencing these effects or not.

SWIM will conclude this report here. Although still too early for an "in retrospect," SWIM is glad he doesn't enjoy Lunesta like he does Ambien. Lying to doctors/pharmacists, risking his @ss buying overseas, paying full retail prices, withdrawals, etc. were starting to raise their ugly heads. SWIM hopes he can stay away from Ambien completely, and use Lunesta solely for (A) insomnia and (B) *rare* stimulant comedown aid, where nothing else is available.

That's all folks. Except for some links for SWIY's research pleasure (don't forget Erowid, the Zopiclone entry should cover both zopiclone and eszopiclone).

http://www.mentalhealth.com/drug/p30-i01.html
http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/PUarticles/3.htm
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/317/7151/146
http://tinyurl.com/yx6mya
http://tinyurl.com/y65kfp
http://tinyurl.com/y4rs57
http://tinyurl.com/tbxez

[Nicaine]

SWIM tried two other 0.75mg doses over the course of the evening/morning (the cool thing about this substance is that very low doses are well over the effects threshold, even 1/4 of a 3mg tablet, which helps a lot in terms of conserving a month's script). Note that the normal starting dose for sleep is 2mg, but presenting oneself to the doctor as a "hard case" would probably be an easy bump up to 3.

SWIM confirms that Lunesta is an excellent comedown aid for stimulants, although it does cause some drowsiness and more cognitive slowing than Ambien. Its effectiveness for this purpose at 1/2 to 1/4 the amount typically used for sleep, along with the likelihood of being less addictive than benzos, makes it an ideal choice in SWIM's opinion. He would only caution: Make sure SWIY is not highly sensitive to memory blackouts and/or hallucinations from sleep aids (if so, benzos are probably still the best choice).

Edit -- one final (interesting) link:

http://tinyurl.com/ynzdhw

Reputation Comments on this post:

good research

[~lostgurl~]

Originally Posted by Nicaine

Edit -- one final (interesting) link: http://tinyurl.com/ynzdhw

Quote from link: "The data indicate that (S)-desmethylzopiclone can bring about an anxiolytic effect without a substantial degree of central nervous system depression, and suggest that the agent may be particularly useful clinically in the treatment of anxiety."


Very interesting as SWIM finds it very effective for anxiety as well as sleep (Zopiclone)

Thanks for the link.

[Nicaine]

Originally Posted by ~lostgurl~

Quote from link: "The data indicate that (S)-desmethylzopiclone can bring about an anxiolytic effect without a substantial degree of central nervous system depression, and suggest that the agent may be particularly useful clinically in the treatment of anxiety."


Very interesting as SWIM finds it very effective for anxiety as well as sleep (Zopiclone)

Thanks for the link.

YW... ditto SWIM. Maybe too effective, he really should be saving it for sleep but lately has been taking it for its anxiolytic and mild euphorigenic effects. Luckily his insomnia problems have decreased lately, and he can often get to sleep without the aid of pills.

[DrMuffy]

Welll SWIdr is prescribed lunesta (The price is OUTRAGIOUS though) for insomnia, and has tried it orally to see its abuse potential and has even taken up to 28mg without very much euphoria and just alot of drowsiness. Rectal administration seems like it might be better for abuse potention and will save SWIdr more mula, so he might want to try this method. Thanks SWInicaine for posting this valueable info, much appreciated!

[~lostgurl~]

Originally Posted by Nicaine

Lunesta is supposedly a melatonin derivative of some sort (so are some very powerful psychedelic tryptamines, so let's not knock it quite yet). The chemical name is eszopiclone (s-zopiclone), and it is the active isomer of Zopiclone (Imovane), thus should have identical effects but require lower dosage levels. Blood levels peak in one hour (with a 6-hour half life) following oral administration. The peak should be much sooner using "the other method."

Can SWIY say what the duration of effects was? Cheers

[DrMuffy]

ooooh SWIdr script for eszopiclone just became a whole lot more attractive after looking at your link SWInicaine! SWIdr has done some research now on eszopiclone and is now very interested in its effects. SWIdr is now going to submit some experiences when it comes to this drug now since this new discovery!

[lazarus525]

SWIM has just recently experimented w/ Lunesta. It was very interesting.

I've heard some people hate it, some like the experience.

9:30 SWIM took 4 2mg Lunesta pills.

9:45 A feeling of drunkenness comes upon, and thankfully no nausea.

10:15 After watching Aqua Teen Hunger Force, SWIM goes to bedroom.

10:20 A whirling feeling arises and it seems as if people are behind SWIM.

10:25 The effects of a mild acid trip ensue; rippling, condesning, expansion

10:30 Intense hallucinations start, SWIM stares at bed and ghostly

apparitions appear, slowly coming towards SWIM. Some had the faces of

owls, wolves, and lizards. Very cool. SWIM puts head into blankets and

faces of angry men submerge from a deep, dark cave.

11:00 SWIM lies in bed and dozes off.

Also: SWIM had no rough come-down/hang-over. (Poosibly because SWIM

took pills w/ 5 minute intervals?) Bitterness in mouth lasted for about 15

minutes until SWIM used Listerine.

Has anyone experienced something of the sort?