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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Alice on February 10, 2000, at 0:45:14
This may sound like a stupid question, but could someone please explain to me why SSRI's (for example, I take Prozac) inhibit the reuptake of serotonin? Isn't serotonin what makes you happy? So why do these drugs "inhibit" the brain's serotonin?? Thanx!!!
Posted by Brandon on February 10, 2000, at 1:15:57
In reply to Why Do SSRI'S Inhibit Serotonin?, posted by Alice on February 10, 2000, at 0:45:14
> This may sound like a stupid question, but could someone please explain to me why SSRI's (for example, I take Prozac) inhibit the reuptake of serotonin? Isn't serotonin what makes you happy? So why do these drugs "inhibit" the brain's serotonin?? Thanx!!!
Alice,
This is a very simplistic explanation and I'm sure Scott or JohnL will go into deeper detail but I'll give you the short of it. Serotonin, Norepenephrine, Dopamine and a few others are chemicals. Each with a distinct structure althought they all resemble each other. Each one has a distinct receptor on the end of a nerve cell that they fit into. Drugs like Prozac and Co. resemble the structure of serotonin close enough to fit into the receptor thereby blocking the actual chemical from returning to it's site of release, hence the reuptake inhibiting effects. Like I said it's not very detailed, and I hope I didnt just confuse you more.
Brandon
Posted by Noa on February 10, 2000, at 2:05:41
In reply to Re: Why Do SSRI'S Inhibit Serotonin?, posted by Brandon on February 10, 2000, at 1:15:57
The operative word is REUPTAKE. By blocking the reuptake, the medicine stops the neurotransmitter from going back to the neuron that released it. This leaves more neurotransmitter hanging around between the neurons, so the second neuron can receive more. It is like telling the waitress to keep the change, instead of taking the change back.
Posted by JohnL on February 10, 2000, at 5:04:32
In reply to Why Do SSRI'S Inhibit Serotonin?, posted by Alice on February 10, 2000, at 0:45:14
Noa said it all. SSRIs don't inhibit serotonin. They inhibit the reuptake of serotonin. Reuptake is a process of taking serotonin out of action. SSRIs inhibit that reuptake, leaving more serotonin uninhibited at the nerve endings where it works.
Posted by Alice on February 10, 2000, at 21:36:49
In reply to Re: Why Do SSRI'S Inhibit Serotonin?, posted by JohnL on February 10, 2000, at 5:04:32
Thanks so much, guys! What you say makes sense. I guess I just misunderstood the meaning and process of "reuptake", so I appreciate you explaining it so well. Doctors never take the time to explain how meds work. Not only is that something that is important to me, I feel it helps me out as I work to overcome this disease called depression.
Posted by AmySue31 on August 23, 2000, at 13:10:18
In reply to Re: Why Do SSRI'S Inhibit Serotonin?, posted by Brandon on February 10, 2000, at 1:15:57
> > This may sound like a stupid question, but could someone please explain to me why SSRI's (for example, I take Prozac) inhibit the reuptake of serotonin? Isn't serotonin what makes you happy? So why do these drugs "inhibit" the brain's serotonin?? Thanx!!!
>
> Alice,
> This is a very simplistic explanation and I'm sure Scott or JohnL will go into deeper detail but I'll give you the short of it. Serotonin, Norepenephrine, Dopamine and a few others are chemicals. Each with a distinct structure althought they all resemble each other. Each one has a distinct receptor on the end of a nerve cell that they fit into. Drugs like Prozac and Co. resemble the structure of serotonin close enough to fit into the receptor thereby blocking the actual chemical from returning to it's site of release, hence the reuptake inhibiting effects. Like I said it's not very detailed, and I hope I didnt just confuse you more.
>
> BrandonI was taking PMS Escape for my mood swings during that time of the month. It really helped me out and I no longer can find PMS Escape. It says that it contains serotonin. So can I take serotonin for that time of the month? If so where do I find it? Or can I get it in some food? Thank you!
Posted by stjames on August 23, 2000, at 13:57:24
In reply to Do I want serotonin?, posted by AmySue31 on August 23, 2000, at 13:10:18
> I was taking PMS Escape for my mood swings during that time of the month. It really helped me out and I no longer can find PMS Escape. It says that it contains serotonin. So can I take serotonin for that time of the month? If so where do I find it? Or can I get it in some food? Thank you!
james here....
If it does contain serotonin it does no good because your body does not use it in this form.
james
Posted by Oddzilla on August 24, 2000, at 19:27:29
In reply to Re: Do I want serotonin?, posted by stjames on August 23, 2000, at 13:57:24
> > I was taking PMS Escape for my mood swings during that time of the month. It really helped me out and I no longer can find PMS Escape. It says that it contains serotonin. So can I take serotonin for that time of the month? If so where do I find it? Or can I get it in some food? Thank you!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
According to this informationhttp://www.virtualdrugstore.com/PMS/PMS.html
PMS Escape is a combination of vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates which was supposed to increase the conversion of l-tryptophan (which is an amino acid and is found in food) into serotonin. Maybe you could ask your pharmacist if he can find out where to get it. Or if they're not making it any more maybe he could find out what vitamins and minerals were in it. Vitamin B-6 helps some people with PMS. Good luck!
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