Anti-Depressants Grow Brain Cells

[Dr. Richard Grossman]

Interesting article for those taking anti-depressants.  Confirmation that possible mechanism of anti-depressant action is new cell growth in the hippocampus.  http://www.nimh.nih.gov/events/prneurogenesis.cfm.  What else can one do to grow new hippocampus brain cells?  Studies on mice suggest---consistent, long term aerobic exercise http://www.sfn.org/content/Publications/BrainBriefings/exercise.html

[Anonymous]

I am prescribed Prozac - and I have read so many reports - one saying it "fries" your brain, the next saying it is actually capable of long term healing in the brain. I would be interested in knowing which direction there is the most evidence, - and if for instance, your hippocampus recovers, are you then able to stop taking medication? Very interesting stuff.

[Sallying Forth]

Resurrecting another old post ...

I began regular exercising back in November of this last year. The changes I've noticed:

1.    No more afternoon naps needed.
2.    Increased energy.
3.    No menopausal symptoms AT ALL!
4.    Increased metabolism.
5.    My depression is gone. Took about 1 month.
6.    Increased reading speed and comprehension.
7.    Increased stamina.
8.    No colds, less allergies.
9.    My anxiety is gone. Took about 6 months.
10.  My heart palpitations are gone. Took about 8 months.
11.  Lost over 40 pounds and counting. Now counting inches and body fat %.

and much, much more ...

This is something I wish I would have known when I began my healing journey years ago. I probably wouldn't have needed the anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medications I took on and off for several years.

20/20 hind sight ...

[bunny]

I started working with a trainer (only way I'd force myself to exercise) and the mental/physical improvements are wonderful. I'm like a new person. However there is no way I'd stop taking my anti-depressants. They're a life saver to me. I like the combo of exercise, meds and therapy. That's my personal deal, though.

bunny

[write]

I think exercise, meds and therapy are a great combination to treat mental illness.

I've also been experimenting with supplements, most notably large doses of fish oil; anecdotal evidence suggests after several months of use people can ease up on their bipolar meds, I believe there's a long-term study under way.

I've also found having the puppy a real antidote to stress and depression- taking care of her, walking her and enjoying all her frolicing around has been really good for my whole family. I don't mind returning to an empty home since I got her, she's always pleased to see me and is a kind of therapy all her own!

[Sallying Forth]

I've also found having the puppy a real antidote to stress and depression- taking care of her, walking her and enjoying all her frolicing around has been really good for my whole family. I don't mind returning to an empty home since I got her, she's always pleased to see me and is a kind of therapy all her own!

I know, I miss my big puppy, all 196 pounds of him! He was my companion, always by my side.

[Denise]

I dont know about anti-depressants growing brain cells, one of the ones i was on were truly making me nuts and i would say killed a good few brain cells 

[missm]

It seems like everyone has a different combo that works, but the main components are therapy, meds and exercise.  I concur - but I also find meditation has had a good effect.  It's kind of like do it yourself cognitave therapy, because it helps you detatch from the inner yammmering a bit.  I've found over time it has gotten easier for me to recognize the internal messages programmed by the nParent, and let them go.  I don't find it easy to still my mind, but I think that's why it's good to spend a few minutes working with it every day. 

[write]

what I've found is you have to shout out loud and make the doctors hear you about the INDIVIDUAL effect of medication on yourself.

I take an occasional celexa, just to balance out the mood swings.
My last doctor told me, in patronising tones:

'That's just the placebo effect'.

I was on form that day and replied, ' and you're just the buying into the biased pharmaceutical company research effect'!

After all- why buy only one tablet here or there when you can convince someone they need your meds daily for months if not years....

I have a friend in Holland who is part of a ten year research project in taking just one low-dose prozac a week; I don't think it's an Eli Lily funded project though.

[October]

After all- why buy only one tablet here or there when you can convince someone they need your meds daily for months if not years....

I agree with this.  I can take an occasional a/d and it works perfectly well, for a few hours or so, which is sometimes all I need.  It doesn't take six weeks to work; I can feel it changing my mood within c 30 seconds.  This may be placebo, but I am not sure you could achieve that degree of change of mood when you are really down without an active agent.

With a/ds I personally find no need to take full doses for months.  The side effects retain their severity, while the a/d effect wears off, and I find that I have to up the dose to maintain the effect.  So I prefer to take nothing, because that way I only have the depression, and not the s/fx.  That is why I tried SJW instead, and I much prefer it.

At present I need more, so am taking full dose SJW daily, but as soon as I can cut back to one or none a day, I will.  This is much milder than drugs from the doctor, and just as effective against depression.  I am sleeping really well, and waking up without that horrible, 'God, I am still alive!!' sinking feeling.  And considering what is happening at present, I think I am managing really well.  <Crosses fingers.>