Posted by Cam W. on April 29, 2000, at 9:47:38
In reply to Substance P - - All I know, posted by Jennifer on April 29, 2000, at 0:58:04
Substance P is a neurotransmitter taht stimulates vasolidilation, contraction of the intestine and other smooth muscle, acts in diuresis (formation and secretion of urine), natriuresis (excretion of sodium) and plays a part in salivary secretion.
The action of substance P that we are looking at here is how it affects the function of the peripheral and central nervous systems. It is thought to be the principle chemical mediator of pain impulses from the periphery to the CNS.
Capsicum or capsaicin, the stuff that makes cayenne peppers hot, is found in some of the better analgesic rubs (eg Zostrix). Capsaicin, when rubbed on in a cream, seems to make the skin insensitive to pain by depleting and preventing the reaccumulation of substance P in the peripheral (outside the CNS or brain) sensory neurons. No chemicals available to stimulate the nerves to feel pain, thus, no pain. For this reason, I do not recommend anlagesic rubs. Using them does relieve the pain in sore muscles, but that pain is telling you something (to stop using that muscle so much until it recovers). By continuing to use that muscle, because you are pain-free, you are risking damaging it further, sometimes to the point of permanent damage (doesn't happen often, though).
How substance P theoretically works as an antidepressant is still a mystery to me, even after reading a couple articles on the subject. Naively, one could say that by blocking substance P, you are relieving the pain of depression.
Musing away - Cam W.
poster:Cam W.
thread:31516
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000429/msgs/31660.html