3 ms·

Now you got me thinking about the idea of "gut brain" depression just like our normal brains can get depression...

• MarkMarine 3y ago
  An interesting thing to think about, science isn’t really sure why SSRIs work the way they do on depression [0]. The effect of the SSRI on brain serotonin is immediate, but the drugs take 3-4 weeks to actually have an effect on depressive symptoms. There is a suspicion that SSRIs may change the gut microbiome, and that’s why it has an effect and why there is a time delay. [0] https://www.discovermagazine.com/health/how-antidepressants-work-is-a-mystery-scientists-still-dont-understand https://www.discovermagazine.com/health/how-antidepressants-...
  • mahathu 3y ago
    Are there any other credible hypotheses for why SSRIs take weeks to affect mood according to the literature, when their effect on the serotonin is immediate?
    • rubicon33 3y ago
      Yes, another is that they cause an increase in BDNF in the hippocampus, which stimulates neurogenesis there. This process of literally growing neurons takes weeks, even months.
  • meindnoch 3y ago
    Actually SSRIs usually have an immediate worsening effect, which then gradually resolves by week 3-4.