Question

4. What are some benefits of these ketamine-based antidepressants over SSRI styled anti-depressants such as Prozac or Paxil?

5. Why did the government scientist Phil Skolnick think that targeting glutamate pathways in the brain could be beneficial for treating depression?

6. Why do you think hallucinogenic drugs can be useful for treating psychological issues such as depression or addiction? (No wrong answers here :)

7. What are some of the symptoms that people experience when trying to quit SSRI antidepressant drugs such as Prozac or Zoloft?

Answer 1

4. Benefits of Ketamine based Antidepressants over SSRIs.

Antidepressants are the drugs that used to treat depression. A major type Antidepressants are SSRIs ( Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) . Examples: Prozac and paxil.

Ketamine is a pain killing drug and anaesthetic , commonly used recreationally. Ketamine based Antidepressants are the drugs that contain Ketamine as the main compound , that can produce Antidepressant effect. Example: Spravato , nasal spay.

The drug, Ketamine based Antidepressants effect is evident within few hours, where as SSRIs will take 3 week to one month to initiate its action to reduce the depressive symptoms. Studies showed that a nasal spray of Ketamine based Antidepressant , Spravato , on patients, who were not responding to SSRIs , worked effectively and the symptoms were reduced wothin hours and lasted for 1 week.  

FDA also approved the use of Esketamine in treating Major Depression.  

5. Targeting Glutamate pathway in treating depression:

Government scientist Phil Skolnick think that targeting Glutamate pathway in the brain will be beneficial to treat depression . Glutamate is an important excitatory neurotransmitter. It works on all most all synapses of CNS( Central nervous system). According to Glutamate Hypothesis of depression( 1990), NMDA ( N- methyl D Aspartate ) receptor antagonist drugs, that helps to increase Glutamate in the brain or drugs that can increase glutamatergic actions have exhibited Antidepressant properties. Gultamatergic dysfunction is one of the main etiology of mood disorders , so targeting glutamate pathway will be beneficial for treating Depression. Many experimental studies proven the effectiveness and Glutamatergic drugs, such as Ketamine in treating depression.  

6. Hallucinogenic drugs in treating depression and addiction:

Hallucinogens are any substances that tending to induce hallucinations. The examples for hallucinogenic drugs are LSD, MDMA ( Ecstacy) ketamines etc. LSDs are banned in most of the countries due to its abuse. But the current researches show that they can be used effectively in the treatment of addiction and treatment . Many psychologist as well as pharmacologist done researches to prove the effectiveness of Hallucinogens in treating depression . In a research conducted in John Hopkin's University, Use of Psilocybin ( a hallucinogenic alkaloid from mushrooms found effective in reducing depression and anxiety in Cancer patients.  

Antidepressant drugs mainly alter the serotonin metabolism in the body. But hallucinogens involve in making changes on how different parts of the brain communicate with each other. Judicious and careful use of Hallucinogen drugs can do great benefits in the treatment of Depression and addiction.  

7. Symptoms on quitting SSRIs:

* Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome

- relapse of depressive symptoms

- risk of suicide

- disturbing thoughts or images

* headache , insomnia

* anxiety , fatigue , trouble sleeping.

* Vomiting or diarrhoea

* Flu like symptoms and sweating.