How do snris work for anxiety?
If you are reading this article, chances are that you are looking for a quick fix to overcome your anxiety. Well, look no further because SNRIs have got your back! In this article, we will go over what SNRIs actually are and how they work in the brain to alleviate symptoms of anxiety.
What Are SNRIs?
SNRI stands for serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. It is a type of medication that is commonly used to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Unlike SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), which only target the serotonin neurotransmitter in the brain, SNRIs work on both norepinephrine and serotonin neurotransmitters.
Let’s Get Technical
For those who love some technical jargon: Neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and serotonin help with signaling between neurons in different parts of our brains. These chemical messengers bind to receptors on neighboring cells transmitting electrical signals from one cell to another, thus influencing various physiological processes including mood regulation.
Inhibitors block or reduce/block activity at specified synapses by modulating levels of specific neurotransmitters or related enzymes. This modulation results either blocking the transporters responsible for uptake or increasing their extracellular concentrations thereby decrease/decreasing synaptic clearance.
The Mechanism Behind Anxiety
Before moving onto how snris actually combat anxiety it’s imperative first understand the mechanism behind this mental health issue/symptom; A person suffering from an anxious mind may experience situations wherein such stimuli can cause fear/anxiety they usually manifest feelings such as rapid heart rate , trembling hands/feet among others.
Due to these fluctuations, people often consider using anti-depressants like SSRISs & SNRI(Serotonin Nor-epinephrine Reputake Inhibitor) drugs but it’s vital give due diligence before trying any new medication.
What actually happens in the body?
Firstly, anxiety increases norepinephrine and serotonin activity to an unmanageable level which confounds our natural response mechanism by triggering/ overloading receptors.Normal functionality is quashed under this pressurized state of increased neurotransmitters concentration.
SNRIS modulate the levels of norepinephrine & serotonin thereby allowing hormones such as dopamine ( linked with happiness, innate pleasure) can integrate into one’s system making a full recovery attainable.
Why SNRIs Are Effective for Anxiety Treatment
Unlike SSRI-only medications that provided limited relief from depression symptoms since they only focus on treating serotonin-related processes, SNRI drugs offer a comprehensive treatment strategy that focuses on multiple neural signals related to specific “depressed” emotions.
Serotonin provides perhaps the gentler way of slowing down reabsorption but comes with its set-backs especially if you have tried it out already. Hence selecting an SNRI would bring about reduction/removal of all common symptoms known associates with anxiety; sounds amazing right?
Serotonin-Norepinephrine Mechanism in Focus:
Norepinephrine plays dual roles:
It’s both involved in stress response/excitation within brain regions like thalamus and hypothalamus vital for arousal mechanisms eg breathing.
Also impacting mood/emotions control originating from amygdala/anterior cingulate cortex where emotional regulation occurs hence blocking/decreasing its uptake results acceleration/ increase positive outcomes
studies reveal;
tricyclic antidepressants (like Elavil/amitriptyline), include more molecule types than either SSRIs nor SNRIs—typically block the transporters removing Nor-epinephrine more effectively.
Essentially these studies prove there is no clear superior amongst them rather doctors prescribe according to individual reaction/tolerance durations ,cost etc..
An Eye-Opening Study
In an eye-opening study published by the Journal of Anxiety Disorders, it was shown that SNRIs could even be more effective in treating anxiety than SSRIs. As research showed, It suggested doctor preferance for PRISTIQ/SERZONE due its superior less severe side-effect profile
So next time your Physician suggests an SNRI over SSRIS you know why?
Conclusion: Is it worth the hype?
Now that we have a better understanding of how SNRIs work in combating anxiety symptoms, the question remains – is it worth all the hype?
The answer is simple – yes! However, what one should not forget here are their possible adverse effects such as dry mouth,drowsiness,constipation and others which become more relevant to individuals who strike similar concerns with each drug taken.
In conclusion, if prescribed cautiously doses without abuse these drugs remain acutely effectual when addressing depression & generalized anxiety disorders leaving individual capable of engaging in healthy social interaction what else could one ask for really?
To wrap up i will boldly say ;in search for this vast beneficial potential ,go ahead try using any anti-depressant medication (under cautionist guidance) {depending on medical profile/ cost etc} random googling isn’t expected to necessarily give comprehensive knowledge attesting against vicious rumours about ‘mood stabilizers turning people into unrecognisable personalities’.