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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Maxime on March 13, 2006, at 21:31:13
Hi
Which neurotransmitter is responsible for brightening one's mood? When I was on the Parnate I found that my depression was gone but my mood wasn't very bright ...does that make sense?
Maxime
Posted by rjlockhart on March 13, 2006, at 21:45:52
In reply to What's a mood brightner?, posted by Maxime on March 13, 2006, at 21:31:13
This is conterveral to me, i think dopamine is a main mood brigtner becuase it actives you in motivation and reward, similar to dexamphetamine, you feel more open, but more determined sort of, serotonin, i dont know......
I have taken Prozac 40mg before (the activating SSRI) and noticed some, but it defintly was not like dopamine. You kinda feel mellowed out but ok on serotonin.
Also pain killers i was on Darvon a while back when i had my wisdom teeth pulled, opiates work on dopamine and endorphins, but it acts as its own endorphin, thats why it elevates mood (dopamine wise) but it doesnt really elevate activity like stimulants.
Serotonin makes you feel mmmm i think more warm, many people say that Ectasy "X" makes them feel more warm with the whole enviorment, even though regardless it is destroying serotonin receptors, MDMA is nuerotoxic after time,
methamphetamine - [stongest amp.] makes people feel in control and feel activated and feeling good.
(not dextroamphetamine) also is to but it takes a longer time with high doses, then it kills dopamine receptors.Thats my put, what do you think?
Matt
Posted by Maxime on March 13, 2006, at 22:03:12
In reply to Re: What's a mood brightner?, posted by rjlockhart on March 13, 2006, at 21:45:52
I don't know Matt. That's what I am trying to find out. I agree that dopamine motivates. But my mood can still be low on it. Sigh. Always searching to try new things. Trying to find that magic pill. I need the magic pill so I can do the other stuff like CBT.
Thanks Matt.
Maxime
Posted by Phillipa on March 13, 2006, at 22:20:42
In reply to Re: What's a mood brightner? » rjlockhart, posted by Maxime on March 13, 2006, at 22:03:12
Maxie could you just try the CBT without putting any pressure on yourself to suceed. I know how hard you are on yourself. Love Phillipa
Posted by Maxime on March 13, 2006, at 22:27:01
In reply to Re: What's a mood brightner? » Maxime, posted by Phillipa on March 13, 2006, at 22:20:42
> Maxie could you just try the CBT without putting any pressure on yourself to suceed. I know how hard you are on yourself. Love Phillipa
No, not at this point I am just too dumb! My brain isn't working and I feel as though I have lost my intelligence.
Maxie
Posted by med_empowered on March 14, 2006, at 4:03:18
In reply to Re: What's a mood brightner? » Phillipa, posted by Maxime on March 13, 2006, at 22:27:01
I think the idea of a "mood brightener" is that its a (safe, well-tolerated) pharmaceutical product that can lift the spirits w/o producing euphoria per se (or drug-induced mania, psychosis, etc.) and can help normal as well as depressed people...think of it kind of like "Soma" in Brave New World. Anyway...various drugs have been "mood-brighteners" at different times. Actresses in 1930s Hollywood were pumped full of amphetamines to "perk them up" (and help with weight control). Later, Ritalin was considered a mild mood brightener (its now a schedule II substance, just like amphetamine).
Prozac was at one point thought of as a mood brightener--like in "Listening To Prozac" where peter kramer talks about patients getting "better than well" on prozac. I don't know what kind of patients he had, but they must have been extraordinary...personally, I find the SSRIs utterly unimpressive.
The latest "mood-brightener" is the anti-narcoleptic agent, Provigil (Modafanil). Its related to an earlier drug, but its a little cleaner and much more expensive, so its the one flooding the market. Anyway, no one really knows how it works per se, except that it helps with narcolepsy, might help ADD/ADHD, could help w/ the negative symptoms of schizophrenia (like low-dose ritalin back in the day), and is useful in some cases of depression (like dexedrine back in the day). Also, it apparently helps some people with anxiety disorders, particularly social phobia; adding it to a benzo like clonazepam apparently helps a number of patients.
Anyway...the "mood brightener" concept is essentially equal parts hype and hope. Even modafanil has its downsides, and it will probably lose its "mood brightener" status in about 10 years or so (my guess would be it will lose its special appeal about the same time it goes off-patent and a new "it" drug hits the scene).
Posted by SLS on March 14, 2006, at 8:50:08
In reply to What's a mood brightner?, posted by Maxime on March 13, 2006, at 21:31:13
> Hi
>
> Which neurotransmitter is responsible for brightening one's mood?Of the big 3 monoamines, I would think serotonin.
> When I was on the Parnate I found that my depression was gone but my mood wasn't very bright ...does that make sense?
Yup. Even when I reached a functional remission with Parnate + desipramine, I found that something was lacking. I think "mood brightening" would be a good term to use here. I thought that there was still some residual anhedonia on Parnate. For the short time that it worked, I found Nardil to produce a more complete antidepressant effect. Nevertheless, I would be very happy to respond once again to the Parnate.
As far as the Hedonistic Imperative is concerned, I find their use of the term "mood brightener" to be a euphemism for "antidepressant". It conveys a notion that these drugs have a purpose to enhance a healthy conscious experience and can be used in the absence of pathology. As long as they pay their taxes, I don't care what they call it.
- Scott
Posted by linkadge on March 14, 2006, at 9:43:22
In reply to Re: What's a mood brightner? » Maxime, posted by SLS on March 14, 2006, at 8:50:08
When I think of "mood brigtener" I think of an ecstacy type of feeling (although I've never done E). Stimulants and ecstacy have two different feelings to them.
I don't think that stimulants make people happy, since they tend to just leave people in a state of "want", without any "satistaction". Hyperdopaminergic states can leave people kindof "blue", and "unsatisfied".
I'd consider clomipramine (when it worked) a mood brigtener.
Linkadge
Posted by Maxime on March 14, 2006, at 16:07:11
In reply to Re: What's a mood brightner? » Maxime, posted by SLS on March 14, 2006, at 8:50:08
I think you know what I am talking about Scott. Because everyone else said stimulants, but those don't brighten my mood ... it pushes me to do things (which is good), but I don't feel happy.
Anyhow I am asking because I think the Mirapex might be working now (I feel like I can move now), but I am still depressed. The Prozac is not doing a darn thing. Maybe some Nortrip?
*bangs head against wall*
I CAN'T DO THIS MUCH LONGER!!!!
MAxime
> > Hi
> >
> > Which neurotransmitter is responsible for brightening one's mood?
>
> Of the big 3 monoamines, I would think serotonin.
>
> > When I was on the Parnate I found that my depression was gone but my mood wasn't very bright ...does that make sense?
>
> Yup. Even when I reached a functional remission with Parnate + desipramine, I found that something was lacking. I think "mood brightening" would be a good term to use here. I thought that there was still some residual anhedonia on Parnate. For the short time that it worked, I found Nardil to produce a more complete antidepressant effect. Nevertheless, I would be very happy to respond once again to the Parnate.
>
> As far as the Hedonistic Imperative is concerned, I find their use of the term "mood brightener" to be a euphemism for "antidepressant". It conveys a notion that these drugs have a purpose to enhance a healthy conscious experience and can be used in the absence of pathology. As long as they pay their taxes, I don't care what they call it.
>
>
> - Scott
Posted by Maxime on March 14, 2006, at 16:35:04
In reply to Re: What's a mood brightner?, posted by linkadge on March 14, 2006, at 9:43:22
Well said Link! Again, it's good to know that people understand what I am talking about. At least I know I am not alone. :-)
Hugs, Maxie
> When I think of "mood brigtener" I think of an ecstacy type of feeling (although I've never done E). Stimulants and ecstacy have two different feelings to them.
>
> I don't think that stimulants make people happy, since they tend to just leave people in a state of "want", without any "satistaction". Hyperdopaminergic states can leave people kindof "blue", and "unsatisfied".
>
> I'd consider clomipramine (when it worked) a mood brigtener.
>
> Linkadge
>
>
>
>
>
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