Posted by Ictinus on December 19, 1998, at 23:51:10
In reply to Codeine for depression?, posted by Delphine on June 12, 1998, at 18:28:05
In September researchers at Merck published results of preclinical studies of a novel drug (MK-869) that has robust antidepressant effects. Why is this important? The drug effects the same nerve pathways as codeine (and other opoids). Codeine mimics endorphins/enkephalins which in effect block the release or effect of a transmitter called substance P. MK-869 also antagonizes substance P. Indeed it was created as a pain/migraine med.
So it seems we need to be less closed minded to ideas such as antidepressant effects of Codeine.
To read more about MK-869 online, try this link:
http://www.mhsource.com/edu/psytimes/p981101b.html
poster:Ictinus
thread:11
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19981201/msgs/1653.html