Posted by paulb on March 11, 2002, at 16:03:41
In reply to Xanax and depression » paulb, posted by Elizabeth on March 9, 2002, at 15:14:05
>The dose required may be quite high, though.
Xanax and Halcion differ in chemical structure from the other benzos (they have a ring with three nitrogens in it, so they are called triazolobenzodiazepines; trazodone and nefazodone share the triazolo moiety). It's not known for sure what pharmacological properties this chemical characteristic may confer on these drugs, though.>>Im really reaching here, but not optimistically, Im just curious. An expert on mCPP told me that it was definetely not a metaboite of Clonazepam. In fact he thought if would be chemically impossible. However I have read that it is what causes the increase in serotonin when Clonazepam is used and is actually a metabolite of quite a few psychotropic drugs. Xanax and Clonazepam are similar in chemical structure so do you think it might be a possibility also bearing in mind what you wrote about Nefazadone and Trazadone being triazolobenzodiazepines, and knowing for sure they both have the metabollite mCPP.
>
>These benzos have some endocrine effects which may be significant. Xanax and Valium both decrease cortisol secreation, Xanax quite a bit more than Valium.>>Now that is interesting. Links to evidence of this would be appreciated. You are suggesting that Xanax may decrease cortisal levels and during times of stress prevent over-zealous cortisal activity.
An interpretation of these findings has been that Xanax-responding depressives have hyperactive hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning.
>> I would add the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning is realted to responses to corticotropin releasing factor(CRF). A lot of research is going on into developing CRF antagonists. Well have we got one already? As I wrote links to evidence of this would be appreciated.
>
> As Alan says, there are probably some cases of depression (I'm guessing quite a lot, although I don't know of any statistics regarding this) that are secondary to anxiety disorders; that is, the person was originally anxious and then became depressed as a result of the anxiety. (I like Alan's description of the anxiety "overloading" the person, although it's not known what pharmacological mechanism might be responsible for this.) It's not surprising that in such a case, treating the anxiety might relieve the depression also.>>Yeah I agree with you both.
> Some people do feel euphoric or high on benzos, and Valium and Xanax are believed to be particularly "good" (or "bad," depending who you talk to). I don't think this is the same as an antidepressant effect, but some depressed people find that a drug that might normally be expected to cause euphoria simply makes them feel normal. So I could see how some people might experience relief of depression (without euphoria) on benzos just as I do on opioids.
>>How is the buprenorphine going for you btw
>
>>I agree that Lizzy would be helpful, this lady knows her stuff. Elizabeth??
>
> Thanks...but who are you calling a "lady??!!!">>ooops sorry.
PaulB
poster:paulb
thread:97091
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020307/msgs/97484.html