Posted by linkadge on January 25, 2006, at 15:18:46
In reply to Re: 5-HTP IS AS BAD AS BENZOS, posted by honeybee on January 25, 2006, at 11:56:31
>What is this, and how does it factor into >repairing one's brain, post ADs?
BDNF is a neuroprotective growth factor. In the presence of this growth factor, serotonergic neurons grow and regenerate. A different growth factor (GDNF) is trophic to the dopaminergic system. Experimentally administered GDNF has shown some remarkable effect in parkinson's disease.
New neurons are detected after injections of BDNF. BDNF also has antidepressant effect on its own. Injections of BDNF are generally as active in force swim tests as are conventional antidepressants.
How does this factor into depression ? Depressed subjects have detectably lower levels of BDNF, which would downregulate brain regneration and repair.
>I was on 150 mg of Effexor for five years, >decided I wanted to go it on my own about 9 >months ago, and have gradually and then suddenly >imploded into the worst depression of my life. >Granted, I wasn't--until the fallout--taking >Omega-3s or specific vitamins, and during the >entire time, I took milk thistle because of my >paranoia about Effexor damaging my liver. But, >really, what's the prognosis for putting it all >back together?Antidepressants are thought to work downstream by increasing the level of BDNF. But, most antidepressant compounds increase BDNF. Shock therapy, and exercise, both increase BDNF significantly, and in many cases more so than conventional antidepressants.
As far as brain repair goes, we are continually finding out that the brain has much more plasticity than once assumed. Dammaged neurons can regerate, and new ones can be formed. Exercise is probably the single most effective tool for brain repair. It increases several growth factors BDNF, GDNF, NGF, NT-3 etc.
>Anyway, end of rant. *Can* we repair our brains? >*Does* being on antidepressants pose problems >for the long term for people and rob people of >the ability to climb out of depressive periods >with their own biology?The short answer is that the brain is capable of self repair beyond what was previously assumed.
I believe that antidepressants do, in general, cause problems in the long term for depressive episodes. My only evidence of this is my own withdrawl. My withdrawl left me thrice as depressed as I was starting them.
I don't really know how to answer, "what are my alternatives?". For me, waiting it out has payed off some, but I know that may not be the answer for everybody.
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:600069
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20051208/msgs/602715.html