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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by linkadge on January 19, 2005, at 18:40:08
When I am depressed, things look grey (visully). When I feel better things are bright and colorfull.
Does anyone know the chemicals involved in color preception.
Linkadge
Posted by banga on January 19, 2005, at 21:45:56
In reply to Depression, Color preception, and Drugs, posted by linkadge on January 19, 2005, at 18:40:08
I was taken aback when I learned that dopamine is very involved in color perception. Really makes you think doesn't it? The world not only SEEMED grayer in depression, you were actually SEEING it gray.
Posted by linkadge on January 20, 2005, at 8:15:14
In reply to Re: Depression, Color preception, and Drugs, posted by banga on January 19, 2005, at 21:45:56
You are exactly right. It is a literal physical abnormality.
My level of optimism directly corresponds to how colorful the world is.
Linkadge
Posted by djmmm on January 20, 2005, at 10:35:14
In reply to Depression, Color preception, and Drugs, posted by linkadge on January 19, 2005, at 18:40:08
> When I am depressed, things look grey (visully). When I feel better things are bright and colorfull.
>
> Does anyone know the chemicals involved in color preception.
>
>
> LinkadgeIm assuming the differences in color perception have to do with Serotonin in a specific part of the brain...For example, LSD effects serotonin receptors in the cerebral cortex, which is involved in mood and perception.
Posted by banga on January 20, 2005, at 13:50:03
In reply to Re: Depression, Color preception, and Drugs, posted by djmmm on January 20, 2005, at 10:35:14
I wish I could give the exact reference where I read about dopamine's involvement in color perception (big problem with me, reading sth and not taking note of the source. BAD, BAD researcher!)
When my depression is at its peak, the world is gray and two-dimensional and distant. Looking at life as it goes by is like looking at a black-and-white postcard, things barely even seem to move or make sound.....I am not part of it, just an observer.
Posted by zeugma on January 20, 2005, at 18:36:21
In reply to Re: Depression, Color preception, and Drugs, posted by banga on January 20, 2005, at 13:50:03
on a lot of ritalin, I notice colors.
Colors are one of the many 'details' that don't get noticed by me when not on this drug or other stimulant. I drove a car for years and didn't know what color it was.
-z
Posted by linkadge on January 20, 2005, at 19:11:03
In reply to Re: Depression, Color preception, and Drugs, posted by zeugma on January 20, 2005, at 18:36:21
It's the brillance and the richness of the blue sky, that seems to just tell you that you are in touch with the universe.
I found the norepinephrine drugs seemed to emphasize detail, such as lines being sharper etc.
Linkadghe
Posted by banga on January 21, 2005, at 8:30:55
In reply to Re: Depression, Color preception, and Drugs, posted by linkadge on January 20, 2005, at 19:11:03
And TEXTURES! A red flower was suddenly SO red, and you could touch it, see the delicate details.....
Posted by linkadge on January 21, 2005, at 10:41:40
In reply to Re: Depression, Color preception, and Drugs, posted by banga on January 21, 2005, at 8:30:55
Deep vivid colors always give the sence that the world is much larger than you are.
When colors are brilliant it almost adds a majestic surreality to the world. A sence of awe.
Linkadge
Posted by banga on January 21, 2005, at 17:18:07
In reply to Re: Depression, Color preception, and Drugs, posted by linkadge on January 21, 2005, at 10:41:40
Now, as always I have no sources to offer...but it was my understanding from what I'd read that dopamine and norepnephrine are closely linked in several ways, starting with norepinephrine indirectly or even directly acting to stimulate dompamine sites.
So if one is taking a med that acts heavily on norepinephrine, I asume that it also acts on dopamine to some degree. Any thoughts/knowledge? doe this happen more in some places in the brain than others??
Posted by bimini on January 21, 2005, at 19:47:13
In reply to Re: Dopamine and norep, posted by banga on January 21, 2005, at 17:18:07
My perception goes vividly colorful for intervals. About 20 minutes or longer. I described it as hypercontrast, like the edges overimpose. I was prescribed Effexor which made it worse and Abilify because my n/pdoc insisted the colors are coming from too much dopamine. I am now taking two stimulants and colors aren't any worse for it. They are there like an moving iridescent slick covering everything. When BP rises the patterns looks textured.
bimini
Posted by linkadge on January 21, 2005, at 21:48:08
In reply to Re: Dopamine and norep, posted by bimini on January 21, 2005, at 19:47:13
I find that stimulants make everything look "brighter". It is like somebody turned up the brighness on my television.
Linkadge
This is the end of the thread.
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