Posted by FredPotter on March 19, 2007, at 19:00:29
It's generally agreed that SSRIs have their effect not by selective serotonin reuptake inhibition per se, but by increased serotonin causing increased BDNF and a general cascade leading to regeneration of neurons in critical brain areas (I don't think it's been observed to happen, it's just whistling in the dark). This process would take about 6 weeks which is why SSRIs and SNRIs take as long as they do (sic)
However I've recently stopped Effexor cold turkey and amidst all the other symptoms, I feel very depressed, agitated and drowsy.
So what happened? Less setotonin around, as well as norepinephrine, therefore less new BDNF, but wait! The regeneration of neurons has already occurred. They're not going to die off suddenly just because serotonin concentration has dropped.
Do neuroscientists know what they're on about? even roughly?
Fred
poster:FredPotter
thread:742253
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070314/msgs/742253.html