Posted by linkadge on May 27, 2008, at 19:56:35
In reply to Re: C*A*F*F*E*I*N*E..as an antidepressant? » bulldog2, posted by IAMtheWalrus on May 27, 2008, at 17:18:30
Yes, I too get an AD effect from coffee for which I do not build tollerance. There is an association between coffee (caffiene) intake and reduced risk of parkinsons disease. This association has been repeated a number of times. Regular coffee consumption is also associated with a lower risk of suicide in a number of studies (infact some of the studies which set out to disprove this association ended up confirming it)
Caffiene itself posesses antidepressant properties in the forced swim test in mice. Some researchers have also noted that it can boost the response rate to other antidepressants. Although it may not be officially classified as an antidepressant, researchers are looking into other potential adenosine antagonists for the treatment of depression. There are other targets of caffiene such as activation of CREB.
A number of studies show that there is generally no tollerance to the caffiene induced release of prefrontal dopamine even after long term use. For individuals with low metabolic activity here, this may be benificial.
Also, coffee itself containes the beta carboline substances wich are fairly potent reversabe inhibitors of human monoamine oxidase. The average coffee drinker would see a daytime reduction in MAO A/B of about 50%. The beta carbolines are also 5-ht2b antagonists which enhances dopamine release in certain brain regions.
Another (potential) target would be the potent antioxidant capacity of coffee which may confer neuroprotection. The polyphenols may also be neuromodulatory.
Don't necessarily doubt your senses. Just because something doesn't have the FDA stamp of approval doesn't mean it can't help.
Comparing coffee to cocaine is like comparing apples to oranges. Coffee is generally not much of a euphoriant. Animals do not self inject caffiene like they do cocaine.
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:831456
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080519/msgs/831491.html