Are there any similarities between the effects of SSRI drugs and street drugs like ecstasy and lsd?
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As far as the "effects" there are very similarity, primarily because of the specificity of the SSRIs, SSRI are seratonin reuptake inhibitors, that effectively allow more seratonin to remain in the synaptic pathways.
While the illicit drugs effect similar 5-HT systems SSRIs are designed with specificity in mind.
LSD, and Ecstacy concentrate a variety of neurotranmitters in specific locales in the brain, ecstasy tends to work on the areas of the brain dealing with emotions, but essential providing floods if you will of Seratonin enabling crashes later on. LSD generalizes in several regions , some studies indicate higher limbic system involvement. The limbic system is dedicated to regulating emotion, aggression, docility, and memory.
LSD inhibits the activity of the 5-HT1a subtype of serotonin receptor. Many of
the 5-HT1a receptors are located in the raphe' nucleus of the brain stem. However,
this is probably not the cause of the hallucinogenic effect, since other chemicals that
inhibit these receptors are not hallucinogenic (Palfai & Jankiewicz, 2001). However,
the raphe' nuclei are known to have an important role in regulating the autonomic
nervous system, patterns of sleep and wakefulness, and states of arousal (DeGracia,
1997).
LSD also has an affinity for 5-HT2 receptors – an affinity it shares with
mescaline, an andrenergic hallucinogen. Many 5-HT2 receptors are located in the
cerebral cortex, and are linked to the perceptual and mental effects of hallucinogens.
The cortex is the most advanced area of the brain, receiving information from the
thalamus and making higher-level processing possible. LSD's effects on the 5-HT2
receptors are the likely source of the hallucinogenic effects of the drug (Palfai &
Jankiewicz, 2001).
LSD's third effect is to activate the NE neurons located in the locus coeruleus
of the brain. This is accomplished through a modulating effect of LSD on the 5-HT
neurons, which then affect the NE neurons. The NE neurons receive sensory
information from the body and then direct the flow of that information – downward
to the reticular formation, and upward to the hippocampus, hypothalamus, and
amygdala. In animal studies. researchers have shown that LSD increases the
responsiveness of the locus coeruleus to stimuli (Palfai & Jankiewicz, 2001).
no not really. Although they both increase some similar neurotransmitters namely serotonin. the rate at which the serotonin is increased is markedly different.
Yes there is. SSRI's affect serotonin receptors in your brain, increasing the amount of serotonin between two communicating neurons. Hallucinogens effect Serotonin2 (S2) receptors in the same way, but with different effects. So, they do share some similarities in that they both affect serotonin, they just differ in which serotonin receptors they react with and the effect on your mood/functioning that they have.
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