Side effects - Honey: a possible opiate potentiator

[Herbal Healer 019]

It seems likely that honey is a good potentiator to many opiates & benzos according to this medical study:

http://www.ingentaconnect.com/conten...7?crawler=true

The study lead to promising results indicating honey is a CYP3A4 liver enzyme inhibitor like GrapeFruit Juice. The CYP3A4 liver enzyme is responsible for metabolizing various opiates & benzos into more or less potent substances & increases both the duration and blood concentration of certain opiates & benzos.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Very interesting, thanks for the source

[pixplzthx]

I usually get my enzymes crossed but doesn't...

Honey obtained from Western Ghats of southern India may induce CYP3A4 enzyme activity

...mean that it would be good for codeine but not much else?

I don't mind a good schooling on the matter, so let me know if I've got it backwards.

[PsychoActivist]

Hmmmmm.... SWIM used to use honey all the time in his pod tea but lately he has been using sugar. He cannot confirm much difference though. The tea doesn't seem to have much of an effect on him anymore but he believes it is only cause of tolerance.

Since he has been using sugar lately he will try his next cup with honey again and see if he notices any difference and report back. Only problem is, now he has read this so placebo could come into play.

[Herbal Healer 019]

Originally Posted by pixplzthx

I usually get my enzymes crossed but doesn't...



...mean that it would be good for codeine but not much else?

I don't mind a good schooling on the matter, so let me know if I've got it backwards.

The CYP3A4 liver enzyme is responsible 4 metabolizing much more than just codeine including various opiates & benzodiazapines, hence ppl use grapefruit juice, a known CYP3A4 inhibitor, to potentiate hydro/oxycodone, valium & other benzos.

Hope that clears it all up

[Jasim]

Originally Posted by Herbal Healer 019

The study lead to promising results indicating honey is a CYP3A4 liver enzyme inhibitor like GrapeFruit Juice.

These posts are a bit confusing and contradictory.

The article says that the honey contains a CYP3A4 inducer. An inducer is the opposite of an inhibitor.
Honey activates 3A4, whereas grapefruit juice shuts it off.

When dealing with prodrugs that must undergo metabolism before becoming more active, swim has had mixed and uncertain results regarding inducing (activating) enzymes. Remember that activating metabolic enzymes may not only promote the drug being converted into a more active form, but will also increase the rate of clearance.

[Herbal Healer 019]

Sorry, SWIM misread the article...Dammit!!