Anti-Depressants

JosephG

Well-known member
I was wondering whether anyone here could shed any light on this topic for me - especially as I may soon be put on Anti-Depressants.

I understand that one of the major forms of anti-depressants is a Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitor. I know this involves blocking the re-uptake of serotonin into the pre-synaptic membrane. This then leaves the serotonin to build up in the synaptic cleft and allows it to interact more with the receptors on the post-synaptic membrane. Thus creating the effect of having more serotonin.

But I have also learnt that there is also some newer and possibly more effective anti-depressants called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Enhancers. They act to increase the reuptake of serotonin in the pre-synaptic membrane and therefore create the effect of having less serotonin in the synaptic cleft.
And another drug called a Selective Serotonin Releasing Agent has pretty much the same effect with a different mechanism.

What is confusing me is that the two classes have opposing actions but both do the same job? How can this be? Do scientists really know what they are doing here or are they just guessing at how our brain chemistry works?
This kinda puts me off taking anti-depressants if the scientists are fiddling around with our brain chemistry without really knowing the cause to the effect. Is Serotonin even responsible for depression?

I know that a fair few people here are on SSRIs or have had experience in this area - and I'm hoping that maybe someone here could shed some light on this topic. To be honest I'm not expecting much of a response here as it is a pretty complex topic and I'm best probably asking a pharmaceuticals forum or something but I thought it's worth a try...
 

Scooter

Well-known member
Hi JosephG :)
Medication is trial and error mate. There are many different things and they all produce different results for different people. You can not judge how a med will work for you based on how it works for someone else.
Sucky answer, sorry. But everyone's neurochemistry is unique.
Best option is to find a Dr you trust and get along with and start the process of trial and error. Good luck :)
 

JosephG

Well-known member
Hi JosephG :)
Medication is trial and error mate. There are many different things and they all produce different results for different people. You can not judge how a med will work for you based on how it works for someone else.
Sucky answer, sorry. But everyone's neurochemistry is unique.
Best option is to find a Dr you trust and get along with and start the process of trial and error. Good luck :)

Thanks man - I am just a little phased as it seems we don't really know what we're doing properly. I guess sometimes scientists just don't have the answers...
 
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