3 ms·

SSRI's in my opinion are not the future of antidepressants. They work by indiscriminately increasing serotonin levels in the synapse, thereby activating every

SSRI's in my opinion are not the future of antidepressants. They work by indiscriminately increasing serotonin levels in the synapse, thereby activating every single serotonin receptor (5-HT). While you get the anti-depressant effect by increasing the activation at the 5-HT1 receptor, you also get the negative side effects of SSRI's since it activates 5-HT2c receptor (weight gain), 5-HT3 receptor (nausea), and sleep issues. The future of the antidepressants lies in chemicals that increase serotonin at the 5-HT1 receptor (lowering depression) without affecting the other receptors. Drugs like mirtazipine and nefazodone attempt to do this by blocking certain 5-HT receptors (mainly the 5-HT2a receptor, which lowers anxiety), and as a result make serotonin levels higher and more available at the 5-HT1 receptor. That's the reason these 2 drugs in particular don't have the nasty side-effects of SSRI's. The future of anti-depressants likely lies in the ability to find a drug that increases activation at the 5-HT1 receptors in certain parts of the brain, while leaving the rest of the brain and receptors untouched.

ordbajsare 11y ago
The future of SSRI is the garbage! They are shooting blind! Talk therapy FTW!
rudolf0 11y ago
Also keep in mind that depression isn't always caused by serotonin issues or remediated by increasing serotonin (which is somewhat redundant with this article, though I think the article paints serotonin too negatively). For example, if someone has bipolar disorder (or similar issues), they may have fairly standard serotonin concentration and receptor activation, but an SSRI may not help much with their depression.
- bluedevil2k 11y ago
  True, but the thought is that the feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, even suicide are seratonin related. There are other types of depression like "don't enjoy things I used to like, lack mental acuity" that may be dopamine related. And "mopey, lack energy" which may be noradrenaline related.
  - rudolf0 11y ago
    >True, but the thought is that the feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, even suicide are seratonin related. Not necessarily true. People on SSRIs can still want to commit suicide after serotonin rebounds and is at a stable level. I think complex feelings like despair and self-hatred can't be explained by just a single neurotransmitter. Serotonin likely plays a role here, but it's not the only component.
  - mobiuscog 11y ago
    And what if you suffer from all three of those 'types' ?

ordbajsare 11y ago

The future of SSRI is the garbage! They are shooting blind! Talk therapy FTW!

rudolf0 11y ago

Also keep in mind that depression isn't always caused by serotonin issues or remediated by increasing serotonin (which is somewhat redundant with this article, though I think the article paints serotonin too negatively). For example, if someone has bipolar disorder (or similar issues), they may have fairly standard serotonin concentration and receptor activation, but an SSRI may not help much with their depression.

bluedevil2k 11y ago
True, but the thought is that the feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, even suicide are seratonin related. There are other types of depression like "don't enjoy things I used to like, lack mental acuity" that may be dopamine related. And "mopey, lack energy" which may be noradrenaline related.
- rudolf0 11y ago
  >True, but the thought is that the feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, even suicide are seratonin related. Not necessarily true. People on SSRIs can still want to commit suicide after serotonin rebounds and is at a stable level. I think complex feelings like despair and self-hatred can't be explained by just a single neurotransmitter. Serotonin likely plays a role here, but it's not the only component.
- mobiuscog 11y ago
  And what if you suffer from all three of those 'types' ?