Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 454496

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Coffee and depression

Posted by Spriggy on February 7, 2005, at 16:51:22

I don't know if this should be in here or in health or in the alternative one. So Dr. Bob, if this is the wrong, I apologize.

I notice that during this episode of utter and complete despair and depression, for some reason, if I drink a cup or two of coffee, I almost instantly feel "happy."

I have read coffee can increase dopamine activity so would that be why?

I'm thinking if coffee seems to help, maybe something like Wellbutrin would be more beneficial afterall.

Considering if I still feel this way after Lexapro has left my system. Hopefully I won't need anything!

Any ideas on the coffee theory?

Maybe none of us really need SSRI's just a $100 Starbucks card. :)

 

Re: Coffee and depression

Posted by zeugma on February 7, 2005, at 17:08:52

In reply to Coffee and depression, posted by Spriggy on February 7, 2005, at 16:51:22

Coffee is a lot more well-tolerated than Wellbutrin is. I would not take a positive response to coffee and generalize it to dopaminergic meds.

-z

 

Re: Coffee and depression

Posted by jen2 on February 7, 2005, at 17:15:06

In reply to Coffee and depression, posted by Spriggy on February 7, 2005, at 16:51:22

While I have no knowledge of the biochemistry of the caffeine / meds combination, I have an anecdotal contribution -- I was avoiding caffeine for months because it made me too anxious and just contributed to my problem. Now that I'm on Effexor, however, and my anxiety is largely gone, I find that I have a problem with motivation (as many others have also reported) and generally feeling more 'even' than is helpful. The best thing I have found to help with that is to have a good strong cup of coffee or a double latte. After that, I feel like I can conquer the world -- not just motivated, but happy and strong too. I have found it's a great combination.

 

Re: Coffee and depression

Posted by medhed on February 7, 2005, at 17:20:37

In reply to Re: Coffee and depression, posted by jen2 on February 7, 2005, at 17:15:06

I like Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee beans...when I can afford it!

 

Re: Coffee and depression

Posted by Bill LL on February 8, 2005, at 9:05:02

In reply to Coffee and depression, posted by Spriggy on February 7, 2005, at 16:51:22

Caffeine is a mild antidepressant. Of course it can also make one jittery and cause insomnia. And I did read a while back that it increases dopamine. That's why Starbucks is addictive (although not necessarily in a bad way). A 16 once Starbucks coffee has between 500 and 525 mg caffeine. Starbucks has almost twice the caffeine per once of non-designer coffee which is why people who are used to Starbuck's get "addicted" to it.

I drink a lot of tea that has caffeine. Tea also has theanine which supposedly counteracts the jitteriness of caffeine to make one feel calm.


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