How do antidepressants actually work? [SSRIS]

SSRIS are considered first line treatment for depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety and a variety of other conditions. They are some of the most commonly prescribed medications in North America.
So how do these medications work?
The short answer is they increase the level of serotonin in your brain. Normally excess serotonin in a synapse gets recycled back to the presynaptic neuron. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors antagonize or block the serotonin reuptake transporter so that more serotonin is readily available to bind to the post synaptic cleft leading to a positive effect on mood.

[@belmontdrugs]

Please leave your questions and/or comments below✋✋✅

[@christinefilippelli2709]

What are the long term affects from SSRI'S?

[@kozzybd]

Hey Michael, just wanted to say I really enjoyed your videos, please if the interest ever arises again post

[@TheSpeakenglish]

Absolutely love the graphics. Wish I could put together a PPT for my students like these... Thanks for all your good work!

[@belmontdrugs]

Thank you!

[@rubentjehhhh]

Hi Michael, is there a theorie on how the serotonin reuptake is actually blocked? Is the reuptaking part being sealed, being made les sensitive, or how does is work?

[@ThatJay283]

SSRIs don't work like this, it's not that simple. If SSRIs worked like this I could be given an antidepressant and suddenly my depression is cured within minutes of ingesting. But it isn't cured, instead I have gut side effects because of more serotonin in my digestive system and I still feel like shit. And the effects usually kick in around 6-8 weeks after starting treatment.
Also this doesn't explain any of the risks of antidepressants, like my doctor put me on Prozac (fluoxitane) and I woke up feeling extremely depressed. I wanted to die, which is the opposite of what an antidepressant should do. Now I'm on escitalopram, which is another SSRI and I didn't have this response.

[@festusbojangles7027]

i was prescribed something beginning with C once and also woke up feeling like i could kill myself. i stopped immediately and never bothered trying any others

[@TikiLemon]

SSRIs don't have serotonin in them so it's not going to affect your GI system.

[@ThatJay283]

@@TikiLemon SSRIs are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and they block the reuptake of seratonin, so seratonin increases all over the body. They don't produce seratonin but they result in more of it in the body

[@augustinerowland4128]

I started my antidepressants sometime ago and I stopped on the way after feeling better and right now I have numbness on my cheek, tingling on my hands and feet, noise/ringing on my ears and relapse of the depression and anxiety, please what can I do especially the numbness

[@Peter-xo6bn]

Been there done that played guinea pig for years. The truth to this answer is they do not have a clue its a guessing game and Your test subject. I seen it change a persons personality in some scary ways even making them reckless.

[@olalifestyle6029]

مساء الخير هو حضرتك ابن مدام ديزى ؟
اتمني اطمن عليها

[@cd47california38]

My son was diagnosed with anxiety depression
Given prozac 20 mg for a month didn’t work increased to 30 mg and then 40 mg from sept to now . He has an epilepsy drugs .
But still not working he is still sad and frustrated. And more long months days without talking
And walks so slowly.
Now he is into outbursts and crying. How do we help him

[@belmontdrugs]

Im sorry to hear that. best to discuss this your doctor and/or pharmacist

[@god5535]

People like the one above who is the channel owner are the real devil. They make a video villifying and sermonizing the evils of weed and how it induces psychosis and then goes around waxing paeans about the "magic" of modern pharmacy. The temerity! Of course, marijuana is not without its adverse effects, but to go on pretending chemical lobotomy is the next best thing to sliced bread is downright dishonest, medically unethical, violation of Hippocratic oath and what not. Behind the smiling mask are actually hundreds of shills in pharmacology trained and brainwashed by Big Pharma never to speak ill.
I hope they rot in hell. Because when a lady geuinely asks for help, they are quick and prone to shirk responsiblity due to legalese and pass the buck with a pat reply feingning the most INSINCERE "oh i am so sorry".
Lady, as much as I cannot legally give you any advice on the internet as I am not a doctor, but the meds are damaging him and robbing him off his soul. Although meds might help to certain extent people of acute schizophrenia, I highly suggest to consult a holistic practioner if you can afford it.
Life is one time. We were meant to live it. Not be catatonic zombies.
We were not born to live "just to get by" as these devils would espouse and propose while they go on living their lives kissing their children and wife goodnight to pillow while prescribing death sentence, chemical lobotomy and downright toxins and poisons.
Makes you wonder who the real crazies are.
All the best.

[@festusbojangles7027]

@@god5535 absolute truth. the lady should stop "helping" her son by feeding him brain killing meds. but slowly ween off them (but watch out as rebound depression after coming off this poison is actual real horrible)

[@matmaifizyka6001]

@@festusbojangles7027 what do you recommend to do instead?

[@john-wo4rv]

@@matmaifizyka6001 look people don’t know what your child is anxious or depressed about if you get into the details some people on the internet might have some suggestions.