Addicted to love

[Guest guest]

,

You wrote:

>

> I had actually considered that, but as I've never heard of any process

> in which iodine in large doses could act as a psychotropic then I had

> pretty much discounted it. ...

> So I'm wondering how much/if this is a joke; and if not do you know of a

> process by which it might work?

It was half joke. Gracia's descriptions of how iodine makes her feel

after taking it reminded me of descriptions of truly addictive CNS

stimulants. But, like you, I don't really see a mechanism that would do

that.

Potassium iodide is still in the pharmacopoeia, primarily for its

expectorant properties for those with asthma or TB. The manufacturers do

recommend doses for this purpose up to 300 mg, but they do caution

testing for allergic reactions first. Even larger doses may be used for

dermatology, particularly with fungus infections, but again, these are

short term applications, not long term dosing. KI is preferred for

internal uses over iodine, because it irritates the digestive system less.

Years ago, they did go even higher, as much as 30 g (yes, grams) to

treat syphilis. However, that was also in the days when they treated it

with mercuric chloride. Or, they might combine those ions into a tasty

dose of mercuric iodide. Yum!

In addition to loosening mucus, iodine/iodide does act as a mild

chelating agent. However, I don't see how that could produce apparent

addiction, unless you were first pumped full of mercury, lead, or

perchlorate. It also makes the thyroid gland firmer and smaller. If you

have a goiter, that is a direct benefit.

Symptoms of iodism (getting way too much for too long) include burning

of the mouth and throat, gastric irritation, increased watering of

mouth, a metallic taste, severe headache; soreness of teeth and gums,

and symptoms resembling those of a head cold. Again, I don't see

anything in that list that would make a more " moderate " exposure seem

addictive.

If your exposure goes beyond iodism to " potassium toxicity, " your

expected symptoms include confusion, irregular heartbeat, numbness,

tingling, pain, or weakness in hands or feet, kidney failure, unusual

tiredness, and weakness or heaviness of legs. So, it is obviously

potent, when you get too much. There are similarly negative effects for

an overdose of the addictive drugs, but I don't see any reason why

Gracia's recommended levels would be addictive, other than they seem to

make a sick person feel better. I suppose you could say the same thing

about crack or methamphetamine.

BTW, if you do take a giant slug of iodine/iodide, about 75% of it is

supposed to end up in urine in the first 24 hours. Variable amounts go

to the stool, which is why the loading test is bogus. However, long

term, nearly all iodine is excreted by the kidneys. For that to be an

equilibrium condition, a steady state, 100% must be excreted every day.

So, if Gracia is taking 100 mg, her kidneys must handle very close to

100 mg of it, every day.

Chuck