What Are Tianeptine Products?

You may have heard about tianeptine products before. They’re marketed as mood enhancers, study aids, and fast-acting antidepressants. At first glance, they sound like miracle pills. But have you ever wondered if they're truly as effective and safe as they claim? 

In reality, tianeptine can influence your brain in unexpected ways, potentially leading to dependence, adverse side effects, and addiction.

In this article, we’ll explore tianeptine effects, the risks of tianeptine dependence, and how you can seek drug rehab centers for young adults for support.

Source: Cielo Treatment Center

What Are Tianeptine Products?

Tianeptine products are “gas station drugs” that were originally developed and prescribed in countries like France and Russia as antidepressants. These drugs work by increasing the serotonin uptake in your brain, which can help alleviate depression. However, tianeptine has not been approved by the FDA in the United States for any medical use, leading it to be often unregulated.

This means there's no guarantee of their quality, proper dosage, or safety. To fly under the radar, tianeptine products are often marketed as dietary supplements that improve your focus and reduce anxiety, and are casually sold in gas stations and online marketplaces.

However, tianeptine is chemically similar to opioids, such as fentanyl, morphine, and heroin. These opioids are known for inducing relaxation, pain relief, and euphoria, but are often accompanied by side effects such as nausea, constipation, and slowed breathing. 

Developing tianeptine dependence increases your risks of transitioning to more addictive substances, such as opioids. This is why tianeptine is widely regarded as a gateway drug.

Source: Freepik

Tianeptine Effects: What To Expect

There are several ways tianeptine can affect your mind and body. Here is a summary of its intended and unintended effects:

Intended Effects

Tianeptine products are marketed as supplements that enhance your mood, reduce anxiety, and boost your cognitive ability. You may have heard of other people taking it for sharper focus or emotional stability, especially if they’ve previously struggled with depression or stress. 

Unintended Risks

Their effects can include euphoric highs, calmness, or even sedation. However, the more tianeptine you take, the more your body adapts to it and builds tolerance. This can eventually lead to a tianeptine dependence. 

Opioid Mimicry

Tianeptine is far from your typical antidepressant. It also interacts with your brain’s opioid receptors–the same receptors targeted by addictive drugs such as morphine and heroin. So while it mimics the same euphoric and calming effects of these drugs, it also carries the same risks of dependence, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms. 

When taken in high doses, tianeptine can result in life-threatening side effects such as cardiovascular complications, liver damage, respiratory problems, and overdose.

Tianeptine Withdrawal And Dependence

If you’ve been using tianeptine regularly, stopping abruptly can lead to severe consequences, especially if you’ve been taking high doses or using it regularly.

Tianeptine withdrawal symptoms include severe anxiety, depression, nausea, body aches, and tremors. These can occur because your body has adapted to functioning with tianeptine in your system, and its abrupt absence forces your body to adjust immediately.

What makes this process worse is how unpredictable your withdrawal process can be. The potency and ingredients of tianeptine products can vary wildly, leading to more intense and unexpected withdrawal symptoms. 

Source: Cielo Treatment Center

Treatment Options For Tianeptine Dependence

Seeking treatment for a dependence on an unregulated product may feel frightening. You may not be entirely sure of what you’ve taken, so you may also be unsure of the risks that come with it.

But you don’t have to go through this alone. There are several treatment options for tianeptine dependence. 

Drug Rehab Centers For Young Adults

Drug rehab centers for young adults offer a structured and supportive space where you can safely detox, learn about your triggers, and start the healing process. Whether you need the intensive care of an inpatient program, the flexibility of an outpatient program, or the balance of both, these centers can provide you with a treatment plan made just for you.

Sober Living In Portland

Transitioning back to daily life can be a challenge after rehab, but there are several options for sober living in Portland. Tianeptine dependence is dangerous because of the risks that come with it, so aftercare is essential. Sober living in Portland, Oregon offers communities that foster accountability, peer support, and a stable routine.

Therapy And Counseling

Therapy and counseling are crucial elements in treating tianeptine dependence. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, or trying to learn why you turned to tianeptine products in the first place, working with a mental health professional can be a game changer. Therapy will help you process what you’ve been through, recognize your patterns, and create healthier habits moving forward. 

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Conclusion

Tianeptine products may be marketed as a quick fix for your mood, anxiety, and focus, but they come with serious risks. What may start as a seemingly harmless dietary supplement could quickly escalate into dependence and withdrawal. Recognizing its risks as a gateway drug and knowing where to seek help can be life-changing.

From rehab programs tailored for young adults to therapy, it’s more than possible to move past tianeptine dependence. Ready to learn more about the available treatment options? Contact us at Cielo Treatment Center today!