| Illegal Drugs |
| Written by Fred McConnell | |
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Serotonin is a neurotransmitter in the brain that affects mood, cognition, memory and other functions. A deficit of serotonin can lead to a variety of psychological disorders, including major depression. Antidepressants that affect serotonin levels and reuptake are becoming increasingly popular as a treatment for major depression, especially in adults. Mixing legal drugs and serotonin affecting drugs can lead to various unpleasant side effects, and so can mixing serotonin affecting drugs and illegal recreational drugs. A recent study showed that thousands of emergency room visits and more than 100 deaths occur each year because of a condition known as serotonin syndrome, a condition that occurs when too much serotonin is present in the brain because of interactions between various drugs. Some illegal drugs that may contribute to serotonin syndrome include LSD and MDMA. LSD is a hallucinogenic drug first synthesized in 1938. It can produce a number of psychological effects, including open and closed eye visiuals, ego death, time distortion and synaesthesia. LSD is structurally similar to serotonin and impacts many of the same areas of the brain that serotonin does. It is not known exactly how LSD impacts the serotonergic system, but there are a number of theories. Some experts think that LSD blocks the reuptake of serotonin by nerve cells in the brain, creating a surfeit of serotonin in the brain. Others believe that LSD boosts the potency of serotonin. Still others believe that it does both. Regardless of the why, the fact is that combining LSD with other drugs that affect serotonin levels can contribute to serotonin syndrome and that this practice should be avoided. More dangerous, in terms of serotonin syndrome, is the drug MDMA. MDMA, or Ecstasy, is a psychoactive amphetamine drug with psychological and stimulant properties. MDMA has an big impact on serotonin levels in the brain, According to experts, MDMA stimulates the release of serotonin and also works to block its reuptake by nerve cells in the brain. The end result of this activity is to increase the level of serotonin present in the brain. People taking serotonin-affecting prescription drugs should avoid taking MDMA, as it puts them at an elevated risk for developing serotonin syndrome. Patients taking serotonin reuptake inhibitors will often find that these drugs dampen the psychedelic effects of the drug, forcing them to take large doses of MDMA if they want to experience anything other than just stimulation. This is particularly dangerous because although the patients don't feel the effects of MDMA, the drug is still having the same effect on serotonin levels in the brain. Taking increased doses of MDMA, along with other drugs designed to block serotonin reuptake has the obvious effect of greatly increasing the level of serotonin present in the brain. While LSD and Ecstasy are among two of the biggest illegal drug contributors to serotonin syndrome, other illegal drugs that may contribute to the condition are cocaine and amphetamines. Mayo Clinic researchers say that some people are more likely to develop serotonin syndrome than others, and that risk factors include heredity. Serotonin syndrome is most likely to occur when individuals start a new medication or when doctors increase their dosage. This is why it is important for people beginning antidepressant therapy to avoid using illegal drugs because of the unpredictable interactions these drugs may have with their prescribed medication. Serotonin syndrome usually occurs within six hours of taking the drugs that contribute to the condition. People suffering from serotonin syndrome often suffer restlessness, severe agitation, nausea and vomiting, more severe symptoms include hallucinations and coma. Serotonin syndrome can be deadly if left untreated, but with proper treatment patients can be released from medical care within 24 hours. Treatments for serotonin syndrome include the use of drugs like Valium and Ativan to reduce the seizure-like movements and muscle stiffness that accompanies serotonin syndrome, drugs that block the production of serotonin, the administration of fluids via IV and the withdrawal of the medications that contribute to serotonin syndrome. In some severe cases, doctors may use paralytic drugs and breathing machines to prevent muscle damage. Bottom line: People who use illegal drugs such as LSD or MDMA should stop taking these drugs if they're about to begin treatment with SSRIs or SNRIs. At the very least, they should inform their health care provider about their illegal drug use to enable him or her to make informed decisions regarding prescription medication. |
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