Serotonin is not a happy drug

[Cain]

http://www.journalsleep.org/ViewAbstract.aspx?pid=27726

Basically, this guy's brain does not produce very much serotonin, due to a genetic defect.  Yet, he isn't depressed.

There is a more thorough writeup here http://neuroskeptic.blogspot.com/2010/03/life-without-serotonin.html

[Richter]

Anyone who needed scientific proof that happiness doesn't come from a chemical: 

[NotPublished]

... for science?

[Requia ☣]

If its a genetic issue, it can't really be used for baseline human.   Serotonin is just a messenger, and the brain is incredibly flexible when its still growing. There is absolutely no reason it can't use a different chemical to make those pathways if serotonin is missing in the early stages of development.

Though, as for the serotonin as the cause of depression thing, serotonin deficiency will *also* cause anger management issues, not just depression.  (In a normal brain anyway).

[Kai]

Hm...

I look at it this way: when I am on PILLS I tend to be a good natured fun loving person with excitement about my life. When not on pills I tend to be depressed and hating of everything.

My pills happen to be an SSRI.




I think I'm gonna keep taking it.

[BADGE OF HONOR]

When it comes to human biology there will always be exceptions.

[Enrico Salazar]

Amen sister.

[Kai]

When it comes to human biology there will always be exceptions.

Yes.

[PeregrineBF]

When it comes to human biology there will always be exceptions.

True, for certain low values of "always".

[Jasper]

When it comes to human biology there will always be exceptions.

True, for certain low values of "always".

Allowable, for a given range of "low".

You know, while we're being absurdly pretentious.

[Freeky]

Only for a given value of absurd, though, sir!








Sorry, I'm kind of wacked out on sleep deprivation right now...

[Shibboleet The Annihilator]

Serotonin isn't a drug at all and, as I understand it, the actual levels of serotonin don't matter so much as the uptake/reuptake of the serotonin does.

[Cain]

Serotonin isn't a drug at all

Oh, I'm sorry.  I didn't realise this was the "all your post titles must be factually accurate" forum.  My bad.  I won't use well known phrases from now on at all when they may conflict with existing scientific knowledge, no sir.

[Shibboleet The Annihilator]

Damn right you're sorry.

TTM straightens his glasses and assertively adjusts his lab coat.

[MMIX]

I don't fucking care how happy serotonin is. I just know that after 20 yrs of SSRI's I am still not a happy camper . .

Prozac - does Not do what it says on the tin [obscure British Advert reference]












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