Posted by AndrewB on May 31, 2000, at 18:33:09
In reply to OTC MAOI ??, posted by johnturner77 on May 31, 2000, at 15:51:36
> I recently ran across a study that said there was a AD effect from DHEA(Dehydroepiandrosterone,) the mostly harmless OTC hormone that is supposed to slow aging. The mechanism of action wasn't known for the AD effect. The AD effect seemed to take longer than SSRI's as short term studies(2 weeks) showed no AD effect. Testosterone has some MAOI effects as certain KamiKaze bodybuilders have found out. I wonder if DHEA might function as an MAOI also. I looked around for studies and only found one that correlated higher blood pressure with naturally elevated DHEA levels. A fairly crude assessment could be made of the MAOi effect by taking DHEA for a few weeks then challenging your system with tyramine or maybe just aged cheese. If there was some elevation (or perhaps a lot of elevation?)in your blood pressure it would constitute a smoking gun. Has anyone out there tried DHEA for depression? It seems to have some potential particularly in older people. I decided to try it after failing to get a useful response from yet another AD(EFfexor this time) Its been too short a time to tell if it will be helpful.
John,An MAOI mode of antidepressant action for DHEA doesn't seem likely. I've never heard it suggested. I take large doses of 7-Keto DHEA which is basically DHEA that does not convert into sex hormones. I have not experienced any tyramine effect with it. DHEA certainly act as an antidepresant for some people by raising testosterone levels. It also may work for some by antagonism of the negative effects of coritsol.
Note that DHEA may increase the risk of tumors (i.e prostate) growth. Long term use should be accompanied by monitoring of DHEA levels. It is claimed that DHEA is virtually devoid of side effects if DHEA levels are monitored to insure that exceesive supplementation does not take place.
AndrewB
poster:AndrewB
thread:35408
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000526/msgs/35428.html