Posted by jay on March 19, 2005, at 22:37:05
In reply to Medications and sleep, specifically REM sleep, posted by Sarah T. on March 19, 2005, at 3:09:22
> It has been known for over thirty years that release of norepinephrine, serotonin, and histamine completely ceases during REM sleep. We still don't know the purpose of REM sleep, but because the cells that make norepinephrine, serotonin and histamine completely stop discharging during REM sleep, several scientists have hypothesized that one function of REM sleep is to allow the neurotransmitters' receptors to rest. When receptors are constantly "bombarded" with neurotransmitters, they become desensitized. Only during REM sleep does the bombardment cease, and the receptors regain sensitivity. If this hypothesis is correct, then how does that explain the theory that sleep deprivation can treat depression? Sleep deprivation has never worked for me. I feel horrid when I don't get enough sleep, but some people report that sleep deprivation has an antidepressant effect. Further, if the purpose of REM is to allow the receptors to rest, recover and regain sensitivty, then how can most antidepressants work? Most of the currently available antidepressants suppress REM sleep, and some doctors believe that REM suppression is essential to antidepressant efficacy (again, that has not worked for me, but then those doctors aren't talking about me).
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> If it is true that REM sleep allows receptors to rest and regain sensitivity, that would explain why I have done so poorly on antidepressants, most of which suppress REM sleep. Further, certain stages of sleep, including REM sleep, are critical for learning and memory. If AD's suppress REM sleep, that might explain why I had such a tough time learning while on AD's. In fact, I'm convinced that if I'd been on AD's when I was in college, I probably wouldn't even have a Bachelor's degree yet. Memory impairment and amotivational syndromes are not what you want when you're trying to get through school.
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> In any event, I'm interested to hear what others have to say about the above-mentioned hypotheses on REM sleep.
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>Well, if you are coming out of a major depression, those rem-less nights of little dreaming and such can take the terror of it all away. But, down the road, if you want to get some rem sleep (or more of it) I believe certain atypical antipsychotics, and even mood stabalizers, can help generate a bit more rem sleep.
Jay
poster:jay
thread:472726
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050317/msgs/473039.html