Posted by Cherry Carver on February 8, 2010, at 19:08:38
In reply to Re: Opioids for Depression, posted by bulldog2 on February 8, 2010, at 18:16:08
Fascinating discussion! One would think that if some kinds of depression are relieved by opioids, doctors would prescribe it more often instead of screwing around with SSRIs and NSRIs, etc, which made me really sick.
Do opiates stimulate the endorphins, create more endorphins, or just hit the pleasure center in one's brain? I know next to nothing about the structure or chemistry of the brain, so forgive me if my questions sound really stupid. Couldn't someone invent a drug that stimulates endorphin production without doping people up or making them sick?
> > > There is a hypothesis that some depressions may be caused by a shortage of endogenous opoids. That's
> > why some people say painkillers have no effect on their mood and other people respond well to them.
> >
> > Oh. Endogenous--not related to endorphins? I'll Google.
> >
> > Thnx Bulldog
> >
>
> No endogenous means made within your body. There are opiate receptors in your body and the body makes its own opiates (endogenous) for these receptors. perhaps some do not make enough of these feel good neurotransmitters. I guess these opiates are what you referred to as endorphins.
poster:Cherry Carver
thread:935598
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20100204/msgs/936404.html