Posted by Eddie Sylvano on June 17, 2003, at 9:46:46
In reply to Does SSRI For IBS Seem Strange?, posted by MB on June 16, 2003, at 18:59:58
>If this is the case, why use a drug that increases serotonergic tone throughout the entire body (as SSRIs do) to treat IBS? Can someone explain?
---------------There are multiple serotonin receptors, and I'm not sure that most SSRIs affect the same receptors in the intestine as they do in the brain. You're on to something, though. I have IBS and noticed that if I took 5-HTP supplements (the raw ingredient for serotonin), it would send my gut into a tailspin. Taking Celexa, however, has the opposite effect. Things calm down. I think that there is a difference between the functionality of serotonin in the two areas, with 5-HT1a receptors in the brain serving to put the brakes on things, so to speak, which consequently calms intestinal peristalsis.
I may be wrong or overly simple, but that's my understanding.
poster:Eddie Sylvano
thread:109458
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030614/msgs/234529.html