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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Bruce on February 21, 2000, at 19:52:03
Can someone explain to me in educated layman's terms how
Naltrexone helps depression? It is an opiate antagonist I know,
but how does this help depression?Thanks in advance,
Bruce
Posted by jd on February 21, 2000, at 21:22:24
In reply to Naltrexone....but how?, posted by Bruce on February 21, 2000, at 19:52:03
Bruce,
No one seems to understand this very well yet, but there are a few possibilities waiting to be better researched. Since naltrexone usually works best combined with an SSRI, there may be a serotonin-opioid connection that goes out of whack in depression, especially when SSRI's "poop out." Blocking opioid receptors might allow a balance in this system to be restored. Along slightly more impressionistic lines, the efficacy of naltrexone in a wide array of addicitive and impulse disorders as well (alcoholism, opiate addiction, bulimia, self-injury, perhaps even things like compulsive gambling) could mean that certain kinds of depression might likewise be rooted in a kind of "addiction" to self-produced (endogenous) opioids. These at least are my best stabs at the question!
best,
jd> Can someone explain to me in educated layman's terms how
> Naltrexone helps depression? It is an opiate antagonist I know,
> but how does this help depression?
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Bruce
Posted by JohnL on February 22, 2000, at 5:11:02
In reply to Naltrexone....but how?, posted by Bruce on February 21, 2000, at 19:52:03
> Can someone explain to me in educated layman's terms how
> Naltrexone helps depression? It is an opiate antagonist I know,
> but how does this help depression?
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> BruceI've asked pdocs this very same question. They don't know. They assume there is some link between the serotonin-opioid-dopamine systems. My own personal theory is that Naltrexone stimulates increased production of endorphines (feel-good hormones, similar to a runner's high). Much the same as when Remeron blocks certain serotonin receptors, it stimulates increased sertonin production. Antagonists often block the feedback mechanism and basically open the spigot on neurotransmitter production. Does Naltrexone work this way? Heck if I know. Just a guess.
Posted by Will on February 26, 2000, at 23:22:16
In reply to Re: Naltrexone....but how?, posted by JohnL on February 22, 2000, at 5:11:02
Does anybody please have any good news story on
being helped to stop cutting using Naltrexone or
Naloxone?> > Can someone explain to me in educated layman's terms how
> > Naltrexone helps depression? It is an opiate antagonist I know,
> > but how does this help depression?
> >
> > Thanks in advance,
> >
> > Bruce
>
> I've asked pdocs this very same question. They don't know. They assume there is some link between the serotonin-opioid-dopamine systems. My own personal theory is that Naltrexone stimulates increased production of endorphines (feel-good hormones, similar to a runner's high). Much the same as when Remeron blocks certain serotonin receptors, it stimulates increased sertonin production. Antagonists often block the feedback mechanism and basically open the spigot on neurotransmitter production. Does Naltrexone work this way? Heck if I know. Just a guess.
Posted by ChrisK on February 27, 2000, at 6:03:26
In reply to Re: Naltrexone....but how?, posted by Will on February 26, 2000, at 23:22:16
Will,
Taking Naltrexone has eased my depression some (enough to be noticable). I am not a cutter but went through a period of obsessive suicidal thoughts. At that point the med that helped most was Zyprexa. There areothers on here who also take Zyprexa and it has helped quite a few people. You may want to think about that as an option too.
Chris
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