Potential Alternatives for Anhedonic TRD (Treatment Resistant Depression)

[cyoung]

Dear Readers,


I would be most grateful to anyone who can help answer one or more of the questions below from your own experience and knowledge:


1) Does anyone know of any correlations between anhedonia and pituitary function?

2) Might there by a pharmaceutical approach (whether extant or theoretical) to mimic the positive effects of sleep deprivation on anhedonia without actually having to physically deprive oneself of sleep?

3) Has anyone gotten significant relief from anhedonia through the semi-regular use of salvia divinorum to downregulate kappa opioid receptors? If so, please share your regimen and/or your thoughts on the optimal potential regimen.

4) Has anyone used low-dose amisulpride or aripiprazole to alleviate anhedonia? I assume they negate stimulant usage (since they are competitive and partial dopamine agonists), but has anyone found them effective enough to lessen the need for stimulants altogether?

5) I have heard that TMS can be helpful for depression in general, but has anyone experienced specific relief of anhedonia and/or dysphoria through TMS alone?


Thanks Much !!


***** Please kindly consider referencing the numbering system above in your reply, as it makes it easier to read AND address.

 

[BallsStapledToLeg]

You'll probably have better luck in the mental health subforum.

1) There are tons. See a doctor as we don't do bloodwork here, and pituitary issues are SERIOUS health concerns.

2) SSRI's are thought to do that by surpressing certain sleep phases

3) Personally the only individual I know who used salvia as an antidepressant/frequently with ended up shooting congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Tread carefully.

4) Yes, literally searching both those drugs and "anhedonia" turned up studies in 10 seconds. Mainly in schizophrenics/bipolar 1, but studies nonethess.

5) Might be better off checking out the TMS reddit or something for anecdotes on