Beta Blocker depression vs Alpha Agonist depression

[MMMMKAY?!]

I was curious as to which one you guys felt depression with more or less?
Beta blockers (propranolol, metorprolol etc.) or Alpha Agonists (tenex, clonidine etc.)

 

[bunge]

Do you mean cns depression?

 

[MMMMKAY?!]

Do you mean cns depression?

Like, mental depression. Not really physical..if that makes sense?
Like loss of motivation, loss of interest in things etc. [:

 

[bunge]

Ahh, thats an interesting thought. I wasnt aware that they could, I thought they only affect the cns, not higher brain function. Im interested now though, think I might have to dig out some info on this tonight.lol if I come up with anything solid ill get back to you. Hmmm......

 

[pasha]

It's difficult to say because drugs affect people in different ways. For me, I found alpha agonists to be much more gentle on my psyche (eg. tizanidine, clonidine). I think the only way you can determine something like that which can't really be quantified, is through trial and error.

Ahh, thats an interesting thought. I wasnt aware that they could, I thought they only affect the cns, not higher brain function. Im interested now though, think I might have to dig out some info on this tonight.lol if I come up with anything solid ill get back to you. Hmmm......

It's because they both decrease adrenergic output through different mechanisms, beta-blockers through stopping certain receptors, and alpha-agonists through providing the brain (CNS) with an abundance of adrenegric agonism, tricking the brain into lowering adrenergic output to the SNS. Adrenaline is implicated in depression.

 

[Swimmingdancer]

I thought they only affect the cns, not higher brain function.

The brain is part of the CNS.

 

[Valium]

If I were to stabilize myself on propranolol, for example, as I have in the past during spikes in ET [essential tremor], I would note depressed mood within a few weeks of steady dosing at 40mg BID or equiv. to that in the Inderal LA formulation [given in one dose QD]. Even without steady dosing, I do notice a depressed mood following tmax of Inderal doses above the 40mg mark. With metoprolol, this mood disturbance comes with a sensation of dread as well. With atenolol, however, there is no mood disturbance, save for a barely noticeable one after months of steady dosing around the 100mg QD mark, but it pales in comparison to either one of the two other beta blockers mentioned.
With alpha blockers, likewise, it depends on which agent is employed, and I assume is linked to rate of selectivity and other nonsense I don't care to dwell on. I cannot tolerate clonidine, it throws me into a panic, I have sensations of dread and marked neuropathic pain like symptoms. Tizanidine raises anxiety a bit, but does not affect mood, and is eliminated quickly, though I have never gone near the max rec. daily dose. Guanfacine is not an issue at all, and just for fun, let me throw in istalol and labetalol, neither of which bring me any 'sensation' of any sort.
It's highly subjective stuff I guess.

 

[bunge]

The brain is part of the CNS.

I really have got to smoke less weed when im on BL, might not make a moron of my self then.lol
I guess what I meant really was that I thought beta blockers were selective in their action to the receptors found in the heart, lungs, kidneys....any part of the sympathetic nervous system basically.lol I didnt realize they crossed the BBB so readily and though I know I that adrenaline and nor-adrenaline are involved in anxiety disorders, I didnt think they were all that important in depression disorders. I thought that was more to do with serotonin regulation etc. well I guess you live and learn.lol

 

[MMMMKAY?!]

If anyone has ever bee on an alpha agonist (such as guanfacine) and noticed any change in there appreciation of music PLEASE SHARE! . Thank yuu