Posted by bsj on December 6, 2003, at 20:55:42
In reply to Re: Opioids for depression, posted by kore on October 27, 1998, at 21:45:55
"I read here once that their effects mimic depression, but that doesn't apply in my case; even though they're "depressants," my spirits are often lifted and I even feel more energy sometimes."
The classification of opiates as "depressants" is based on their effects on heart rate and breathing. This DOES NOT mean nor imply that they induce a depression-like state; on the contrary, taken in sufficient doses they feel great. It's easy to confuse these ideas, and think that depressant=induces depressed-like state. But no.
Depression, the illness, is likely caused by malfunction of our basic brain system; one of these systems being the innate opiod system. It can either produce too much or too little amount of endorphins; in the former case, we get those amazing people who can take vast amounts of physical pain; and in the latter case, we'd get depression-like symptoms.
I've explained this several times in various places before.
poster:bsj
thread:952
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031202/msgs/287273.html