Posted by linkadge on November 13, 2005, at 17:47:39
In reply to Re: Opiates for depression?, posted by Squiggles on November 13, 2005, at 9:38:25
Opiates can profoundly, if only temporarily, help depression, and the depressive phase of bipolar disorder.
Their long term safety or efficacy however, has never been shown.
They work in depression, because they directly activate the pleasure centres of the brain, like all other agents of abuse, something that other antidepressants don't do.
Another consideration is that, while virtually all antidepressant compounds to date promote neurogenesis, the opiates do not, infact they tend to lead to brain atrophy.The neucleus accumbens has incredably effective homeostatic mechanisms.
If tollerance to the effects are slow, then it is highly likely that the withdrawl effects will be long lasting.
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:575925
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051112/msgs/578278.html