rickolasnice
Bluelighter
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- Apr 19, 2007
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I read on here (or somewhere) someone saying that SSRIs cause down regulation of 5ht receptor sites.. is this true? Would this not ultimately cause the opposite of the desired affect?
N&PD Moderators: Skorpio | thegreenhand
chicpoena said:Yes, downregulation of 5HT receptor sites is the PURPOSE of SSRIs. It's often called 'receptor dieback.' You are right that this ultimately causes the opposite of the desired effect stated by the advertising campaigns (low serotonin=depression; SSRIs end depression by increasing serotonin).
The brain adjusts to the excess of serotonin caused by the reuptake inhibitor by shrinking/killing off the serotonin producing pumps and receptors. Its a vicious cycle that makes its users become physically dependent on the SSRI to maintain serotonin levels. Many researchers think the effectiveness of SSRIs is due to this receptor dieback! SSRIs, which are only 34% effective to begin with, lose their effectiveness with time as the body habituates to their effects. They are really terrible drugs for your body even though they can help people.
You can read more on this in The Anti-Depressant Fact Book and Prozac Backlash, both of which were written by highly respected and experienced psychiatrists.
there will be withdrawal symptoms if the medication is stopped aprubtlyrickolasnice said:Wouldn't this mean that when medication is stopped the patient will be worse?
chicpoena said:The brain adjusts to the excess of serotonin caused by the reuptake inhibitor by shrinking/killing off the serotonin producing pumps and receptors.
Yep, they normally "grow back". I think we are talking about a range of weeks to months here...七×風 said:Do the "pumps and receptors" grow back after you quit the Drug? If so, how long would it take?