2008 Woodie Awards
Pocket Doc
Issue date: 11/6/06 Section: Pulse
- Page 1 of 1
What's the difference in the way an SSRI inhibitor and THC improve your mood?
I have to admit that you stumped me on this, and I had to consult fellow colleague and nationally renowned toxicologist Dr. Tim. Nonetheless, I know what you are trying to get at: you are trying to get me to say that we would all be better off if we smoked marijuana all day, right? Well, I'm not going to say that, although I might have thought that way once (officially, I didn't inhale). As you will see a similar argument could be made that we should all be taking LSD.
THC is the psychoactive substance in marijuana and hashish. THC is active at cannabinoid, dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin and choline receptor sites. The primary psychoactive effects occur at cannabinoid receptors in the brain and account for the varying effects of the 'high.' The other active receptors account for the side effects.
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) act by decreasing the clearance of neuronally released serotonin at the synapses and essentially increase the level of serotonin by increasing its availability. The serotonin receptors affected by these medications are accountable for mood elevation and stabilization of personality. (Hey, who can't do without a little mood elevation and personality stabilization?)
"Interestingly, like SSRIs, LSD acts primarily on serotonin receptors in the central nervous system, which regulate mood, perception, personality, and affect," reports Dr. Tim. LSD is most active on a specific serotonin receptor which is different from those of the therapeutic SSRIs, which account for why people on SSRIs act more normal while people on LSD act less normal. And then there is that little issue of LSD flashbacks which few people report as being pleasant. Of note, LSD flashbacks have been reported to be precipitated by taking SSRI medications...hmmm.
Dr. Tim offers two medical references on LSD:
Markel H, Lee A, Homes RD et al: LSD flashback syndrome exacerbated by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants in adolescents. J Pediatr 1994;125:817-19
Miller PL, Gay GR, Ferris KC et al: Treatment of acute, adverse psychedelic reactions: "I've tripped and I can't get down." J. Psychoactive Drugs 1992;24:277-279
Dr. Ralph and Dr. George are Emergency Room physicians with the University of Illinois at Chicago's Medical Center.
As with all medical advice, consult your physician before beginning any regimen or if symptoms persist for more than 5 days.
I have to admit that you stumped me on this, and I had to consult fellow colleague and nationally renowned toxicologist Dr. Tim. Nonetheless, I know what you are trying to get at: you are trying to get me to say that we would all be better off if we smoked marijuana all day, right? Well, I'm not going to say that, although I might have thought that way once (officially, I didn't inhale). As you will see a similar argument could be made that we should all be taking LSD.
THC is the psychoactive substance in marijuana and hashish. THC is active at cannabinoid, dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin and choline receptor sites. The primary psychoactive effects occur at cannabinoid receptors in the brain and account for the varying effects of the 'high.' The other active receptors account for the side effects.
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) act by decreasing the clearance of neuronally released serotonin at the synapses and essentially increase the level of serotonin by increasing its availability. The serotonin receptors affected by these medications are accountable for mood elevation and stabilization of personality. (Hey, who can't do without a little mood elevation and personality stabilization?)
"Interestingly, like SSRIs, LSD acts primarily on serotonin receptors in the central nervous system, which regulate mood, perception, personality, and affect," reports Dr. Tim. LSD is most active on a specific serotonin receptor which is different from those of the therapeutic SSRIs, which account for why people on SSRIs act more normal while people on LSD act less normal. And then there is that little issue of LSD flashbacks which few people report as being pleasant. Of note, LSD flashbacks have been reported to be precipitated by taking SSRI medications...hmmm.
Dr. Tim offers two medical references on LSD:
Markel H, Lee A, Homes RD et al: LSD flashback syndrome exacerbated by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants in adolescents. J Pediatr 1994;125:817-19
Miller PL, Gay GR, Ferris KC et al: Treatment of acute, adverse psychedelic reactions: "I've tripped and I can't get down." J. Psychoactive Drugs 1992;24:277-279
Dr. Ralph and Dr. George are Emergency Room physicians with the University of Illinois at Chicago's Medical Center.
As with all medical advice, consult your physician before beginning any regimen or if symptoms persist for more than 5 days.
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