Posted by zefdie on June 15, 2006, at 4:05:24
I have seen references on this board to hydergine's effect as a multiple-neurotransmitter agonist, and would like to delve into the subject/discuss it with my doctor. At the moment I am looking for antidepressants that won't leave me flattened or stupid or smother my creativity. I have a Lexapro sample at the ready but am curious as to what the mechanisms of action are for supposed "mood elevating" nootropics. I know there isn't a lot out there, but I've seen such things referenced here and would love more info.
I am bipolar II, heavy on the depression with occassional bouts of anger/anxiety, no mania, no moderate elation, no good moods, no nuthin. Just depression and mixed-state agitated sadness/anger. I am also diagnosed with ADD and am not currently on medicine for that (working on the depression, I guess...and Strattera made me a zombie many years ago when I tried it (w/o a mood stabilizer at the time)). I am currently stabilized on lamotrigine but still devastatingly depressed. I want to research a few novel alternatives before augmenting with an SSRI (and Wellbutrin, unfortunately, makes me dumb). I have used amino therapy in the past to ok results, nothing fantastic. I would like to try that again, perhaps in combination with a hydergine/piracetam combo? I've read extensively about amino/vitamin/mineral therapy, etc, but there just doesn't seem to be much out there about these other substances.
I'm just thinking aloud and am not well-versed in the science at hand. I'm not having much luck with PubMed. I found a fairly inconclusive abstract about the effects of hydergine on the brains of rats:
Pharmacol. 1985;16 Suppl 3:1-17.
Hydergine: interaction with the neurotransmitter systems in the central nervous system.
Markstein R.
(I don't know if it's copyright infringement to post the abstract itself but will do so if it's allowed. Here's a relevant bit:"Based on these in vitro data, it is suggested that Hydergine influences central monoaminergic systems in a dualistic manner. On the one hand, it can compensate for a transmitter deficit in dopaminergic and serotoninergic systems, but at the same time, counteract a possible hyperactivity in the same transmitter systems.")
I have heard varied theories about piracetam. If I remember correctly, it improves the effects of anticonvulsants, but it is acetylcholinergic and therefore bad for depression? I don't know much about acetylcholine, unfortunately.
I have taken piracetam with Adderall and taurine/b6 to very good effect. My mood was much improved and I was lifted entirely out of the cognitive fog depression has had me in for years. This combo was taken with the with lamotrigine (Lamictal, helpful at the time but not yet a therapeutic dose.) Because hydergine reputedly synergizes with piracetam and is dopaminergic, I'm interested in this combo. I just can't find any info about why it may work and by what means.
I will continue to peruse PubMed but my eyes are crossing. Thanks for all your help! I am so grateful for the knowledgeable people on this site.
(PS info about other nootropics is great too)
-Z
poster:zefdie
thread:657158
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20060601/msgs/657158.html