Belchertown, MA
A 66-year-old male asked:
All of a sudden i'm reading that anxiety may be caused by excess serotonin! (i'm taking 112.5 effexor (venlafaxine) for gad) is there any validity to these findings
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Saptarshi Bandyopadhyayanswered
Hospital-based practice 23 years experience
NOT Simple: Serotonin (5HT) is 1 of many neurotransmitters (NTs) in the brain. The effects of too much/ too little NT aren't evident right away. The brain responds to drugs & NTs in complex ways. Low 5HT levels in the hippocampus over time cause depression. But raising 5HT levels right away doesn't reverse depression. You need time for the neurons to make new connections. 5HT in bloodstream causes anxiety.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Jan 1, 2021
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