Posted by SLS on February 23, 2001, at 8:28:10
In reply to Re: Smoker with Bipolar/ADD? This new drug may help , posted by SLS on February 23, 2001, at 8:07:15
I forgot. A word of caution:
Mecamylamine and other nicotinic receptor antagonists are capable or PRODUCING depression, presumably by reducing afferant output of pathways to dopaminergic areas within the limbic system, particularly in the nucleus accumbens. It is suggested that this phenomenon is what drives over 80% of schizophrenics to become heavy smokers. It feels good to them and the small improvement is measurable. They are not just bored.
By contrast, there is some work being done that indicates that nicotinic receptor agonists possess antidepressant properties.
A friend of mine was considering using mecamylamine to treat a chronobiological disturbance, but was disuaded from doing so because of its depressogenic potential. I don't know anyone who has tried mecamylamine. Do you? Was there any sign of depression or dysphoria?
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:54389
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010221/msgs/54663.html