Posted by blueboy on May 28, 2008, at 8:43:21
In reply to Re: GREAT topic -- my answer is 'No, but...', posted by undopaminergic on May 28, 2008, at 5:12:54
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> > Great knowledge displayed, Racer, of the field of neuroscience. However, I must say the above comment may be a bit misleading if not entirely incorrect. SSRI's have not proven to be effective for many people with anxiety. Not based on the studies I've read and on my own personal experience. Increasing serotonin activity is the antithesis to relieving anxiety.
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> For reasons that are not fully understood, drastically increasing serotonin with MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine, Ecstasy) appears to drastically reduce - even abolish - anxiety. SSRIs may not be powerful enough to achieve the necessary elevation of serotonin.Very interesting topic. I do have a comment about Ecstasy. In at least one case of an addictive serotonin-increasing drug (heroin), a study showed that exposure to the drug causes gross physical change in receptor neurons -- which is why addicts need more and more drug to achieve the desired effect. Then, when the drug is discontinued, the terrible withdrawal occurs (at least in part) because the number and sensitivity of the receptors is insufficient for normal response.
IIRC, the same is true of alcoholics; they can actually see the degradation in serotonin receptor neurons.
I don't know much about this. I'm just recounting my memory of a past issue of Scientific American Mind. My memory of the article is that they were fairly confident of the conclusion.
poster:blueboy
thread:830457
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080528/msgs/831604.html