Posted by djmmm on May 13, 2002, at 8:02:34
In reply to more serotonine = more sedation/tiredness ?!, posted by ben on May 13, 2002, at 6:38:00
It's not serotonin syndrome...serotonin syndrome is more of an acute state of specific symptoms.
I believe what you are talking about is sort of a syndrome many long term SSRI users experience marked by a lack of appropriate anxiety, and apathy. To date there are a few theories mainly centered around overstimulation of serotonin receptors (too much serotonin) and the effects of this on other neurotransmitter systems (mainly dopamine)
The fact is, this lack of anxiety is *exactly* what these medications were designed to cause, The real problems begins when doses get too high. Many problems are caused by consistantly high serotonin levels, apathy being only one. Most Docs add drugs like Buspar, which decreases serotonin synthesis, to counteract this problem. Other drugs like wellbutrin and stimulants are also often added to boost dopamine and norepinephrine..two major neurotransmitters adversly effected by significant and consistantly high serotonin levels.
Increased yawning seems to be connected to serotonin, dopamine and oxytocinergic neurons. There is also a connection to the stretching response and a subgroup of serotonin receptors (5-HT1a).
I don't think there is really an explanation of why some people get agitated and others get tired. It is hard to determine the cause of such reactions when the exact mechanism, and resulting actions of these meds is still very much "in the air"
poster:djmmm
thread:106163
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020510/msgs/106166.html