Neuroscience And Mental Health: Do Antidepressants Make You Happy?
Note: Some medications may not work for everyone and can have side effects or interact with other treatments. For this reason, consult a medical doctor like a psychiatrist or primary care physician before starting, changing, or stopping your medication. This article is not a replacement for medical advice.
Antidepressants are a type of medication often prescribed to treat mental health conditions that impair functioning. They can treat symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, and other psychological conditions that do not improve with talk therapy. In addition, lifestyle changes or a combination of medication with therapy can be beneficial.
Antidepressants and neurotransmitters
Antidepressants are medications specifically designed to target the levels of certain chemicals and neurotransmitters within the brain to restore balance. These primarily include serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. The type of antidepressant used determines the exact chemicals and neurotransmitters the medication affects.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most common class of antidepressants. SSRIs function by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, inhibiting the reuptake of said chemical, and allowing more of it to be available for use.
This type of antidepressant is often considered effective in treating moderate to severe depression, especially when a chemical imbalance contributes to an individual's symptoms. Serotonin is thought to be responsible for a significant portion of mood control and affects a person's sleep habits, memory, digestion, and appetite.
Low serotonin levels may be detected in those experiencing a depressive disorder. Balancing serotonin in the brain has been shown to improve depressive symptoms. However, it is also possible to overmedicate with serotonin if someone does not require the chemical, such as someone with bipolar disorder.
When taking prescription medications that affect serotonin levels, ensure you work with a licensed psychiatrist or medical doctor. Let your provider know if you are taking dietary supplements or illicit substances. The brain can be overloaded with serotonin and develop serotonin syndrome, which can be life-threatening.
Those with too much serotonin in the body may experience the following symptoms:
- Sweating
- Confusion
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased heart rate
- Restlessness
- Headaches
- Loss of muscle control
Extremely high serotonin levels can lead to seizures, unconsciousness, heart palpitations, and a high fever.
Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) inhibit serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake. SNRIs may relieve depression symptoms, such as irritability and sadness, but can also be used for nerve pain and anxiety disorders.
Norepinephrine, sometimes called "noradrenaline," is a neurotransmitter and a hormone responsible for inciting a person's "fight or flight" response. SNRIs can cause increased blood pressure and heart rate, blood glucose levels, and panic attacks during quick and intense norepinephrine spikes, so speak to a doctor about the potential for these side effects.
Those with low levels of norepinephrine may experience the following symptoms:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Migraines
- Brain fog
- Difficulty with memory
- Low blood sugar
- Lack of arousal or interest
- Restless leg syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
Dopamine
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter often called the "feel-good" chemical. It affects mood, memory, movement, and well-being. A deficiency of dopamine can be caused by multiple factors, including certain pre-existing health conditions, an unhealthy diet, substance use, and obesity.
Though it may not cause certain illnesses on its own, a dopamine deficiency is often associated with depression, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, substance use disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and psychosis.
The symptoms of high levels of dopamine may include:
- Increased pleasure
- Increased cognitive speed and performance
- Anxiety
- Agitation and restlessness
- Increased libido
- Insomnia
- Social-and reward-seeking behaviors and impulses
Norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI)
Bupropion is an antidepressant that functions as a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI). It only affects the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine available for use and does not affect serotonin levels within the body. It is prescribed both for treating depression and aiding in smoking cessation due to its effects on blocking nicotinic receptors.
Tricyclic antidepressants
Tricyclic antidepressants are another class of antidepressants that function similarly to SNRIs, blocking serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake. However, they differ in that they also block acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter affecting pain responses in the body, muscle contractions, and the control of certain sleep functions.
This medication may be used to treat depression but may also be prescribed for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Some off-label uses include reducing chronic pain symptoms, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, bulimia, anorexia nervosa, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and panic disorder.
Though less commonly prescribed than SSRIs and SNRIs, tricyclic antidepressants might be used when other medications do not relieve symptoms.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are the first type of antidepressant ever created and have since been replaced with much safer options (such as those mentioned above) with fewer side effects. Monoamine oxidase is an enzyme that assists in removing serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine from the brain.
MAOIs function by preventing the action of the monoamine oxidase and allowing more of the chemicals to be available for use within the body. Due to MAOIs also affecting other factors within the brain and the digestive tract, these antidepressants are prone to causing numerous side effects compared to the other classes. They may require dietary restrictions to take safely. They also have a high risk of dangerous side effects when mixed with other medications.
Serotonin antagonist reuptake inhibitors (SARIs)
Serotonin antagonist reuptake inhibitors (SARIs) are technically antidepressant medications but are often prescribed for other conditions, such as insomnia and anxiety. These medications resemble SSRIs. SARIs prevent serotonin reuptake in the brain by targeting the 5HT2a receptor responsible for serotonin reuptake and blocking the transporter protein that allows this process to occur.
The most common SARI medication is trazodone. Though it may not always be prescribed for depression, it is commonly used for those experiencing sleep difficulties in conjunction with other antidepressant medications.
Common mental health conditions treated with antidepressants
There is no one "happy pill" that can change the mood of those struggling with mental health concerns. However, some clients take medications to manage the symptoms. Antidepressants are often prescribed to treat the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and major depressive disorder. However, due to the chemical makeup of the brain and how these affect various factors in a person's psychological and mental health experiences, antidepressants may also be prescribed to treat the following conditions:
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Panic disorder
- Anxiety
- Severe phobias
- Insomnia
- Eating disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Non-neuropathic chronic pain conditions
- Bedwetting (in children)
If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.
Consult your doctor before starting medication. When trying a new medication, they can check in with you regularly regarding your symptoms and side effects to adjust the dosage if needed.
Antidepressants in combination with therapy
For successful treatment and recovery from mental health conditions, antidepressants are often used alongside therapy and counseling. Medications may reduce symptoms and allow a person to function in their daily lives short term, but they aren't necessarily a long-term cure. The underlying causes of mental health conditions may be addressed in therapy to help individuals feel happier and healthier.
Non-medicinal methods of improving mood
There are methods for improving mood without prescribed medications. For some, these options are more effective for symptom relief.
Diet and exercise
To feel healthier mentally, it can be helpful to get healthier physically. Once physical health conditions have been ruled out, your mood and overall well-being may significantly improve through a balanced diet and regular physical exercise. Regular, low-intensity exercise, like walking outside, may reduce symptoms of mild to moderate depression. Exercise can increase endorphins in the brain, providing a mood boost.
A positive attitude
Research suggests that smiling can cause a release of serotonin and dopamine. Positive activity interventions are a less formal idea of treatment for depression that focuses on making intentional thoughts and behaviors a regular occurrence in your daily life. Gratitude, optimism, and participation in acts of kindness may alleviate symptoms. Increased positivity has been linked to building healthy relationships, careers, and community connections.
Though optimism can work for some, people with severe symptoms and overwhelming anxiety may feel further harmed by trying to force positive emotions instead of acknowledging their emotions. Forced positivity is considered a form of "self-deception" in these cases.
Professional therapeutic guidance
Prescription medications may not be appropriate for every person struggling with sadness, hopelessness, loneliness, or anxiety. If you are curious to learn more about a mental health condition or receive guidance in effective coping strategies, consider contacting a therapist.
If you face barriers to treatment, such as financial insecurity or difficulty finding a provider, you can also connect with a therapist through an online platform like BetterHelp. Online therapy allows you to attend therapy from a personal smart device at home. In addition, you can choose between phone, video, or chat sessions with your therapist.
A literature review regarding online counseling established that it has a similar impact as traditional, face-to-face counseling. A 2007 study revealed no differences in effectiveness between the two methods. A recent study found that 71% of participants found online therapy more effective than in-person options.
Counselor reviews
“I suffer from depression, and this year anxiety popped up as well. My anxiety was new to me, and it was scary going through it, but Elizabeth Cupo helped me understand and strengthen my techniques for getting through them. We talked about the causes of my anxiety and walked through possible techniques. I appreciate the help. It brought some sense of control to handle my problems.”
“I have had many lovely and well-wishing counselors in the past, but they were never able to help me be my best self and put me on a positive path to help me live my best life like Ms. Maloy has helped me do!!!!! I honestly do not know where I would be today if I did not meet Ms. Maloy; I truly believe she saved my life from spiraling out of control!!!! Before I started my sessions with Ms. Maloy, I used to think I was broken beyond repair, that something was wrong with me, and I just was not “right.” I used to think I wasn’t worthy of good things happening to me because I was so broken, hopeless and because something was wrong with me. All of those negative thoughts and words I used to describe myself were banished from my brain, thinking, heart, and soul in the very 1st session!!!! She has the right words to say to make you feel safe, calm, and at peace. I am never afraid to tell her anything or be honest because I know she will never judge me! That is important because I have lived through some very scary traumas, and she is always there to help me work through them peacefully. She has provided me with so many healthy and honestly helpful coping skills to help me deal with the severe traumatic events I have had to endure. She even gave me amazing coping techniques on what to do if I wake up in a panic attack from sleeping (which is so scary and used to happen a lot). She truly made me believe that I am not broken but perfectly made just the way God wanted me to be. She made me love myself again and reminded me that God’s love is unconditional, and He loves me too!! She helped me change my whole perspective from thinking I was a pathetic loser to reminding me I am a winner!! I am beginning to remember who I am and feel like myself again. On top of all my mental health suffering, I have developed several severe and very scary autoimmune illnesses within the past year! These illnesses made it impossible to do things I love, like yoga, for example. Ms. Maloy found me an alternative that I could do with my severe physical limitations.........Tai Chi!!! I now practice tai chi every day, and it is truly bringing me joy again! I thought that I would never have any joy participating in any activity again! She has even helped me devise different schedules, so the overwhelming feeling of “I can’t even do it” or “it is all too much” has completely gone away!! Ms. Maloy and her wonderful and peaceful methods have made a BetterHelp patient for life; so long as she is my counselor, I can only see my life continue to improve regardless of my physical ailments! Thank you, Ms. Maloy!!!!!”
Takeaway
Do antidepressants make you happy or numb?
Different antidepressant medicines can affect people in different ways. Taking antidepressants for depressive disorders such as clinical depression may impact a patient differently than a situation where someone is taking an antidepressant for another condition these medicines can address, such as bulimia. Certain antidepressants may reduce the intensity of some emotions, though it is unlikely that they could make a person feel entirely “numb.” Similarly, some patients report that antidepressants change the frequency or intensity of their depressive symptoms, though that is not the same thing as making them feel happy.
Can you feel love on antidepressants?
Yes, you can feel love when taking antidepressants.
What do antidepressants make you feel like?
For most people, taking an antidepressant drug can reduce the severity and frequency of depressive thought patterns and emotions. Some patients may experience other side effects, though, especially people taking a new antidepressant or an adjusted dose that their body is not used to. These side effects can include weight gain and suicidal thoughts. If you have thoughts of harming yourself after taking an antidepressant, contact your doctor immediately. Suicide ideation may be more common in children and young adults who take antidepressants, meaning these medications are typically not the first recommended form of treatment for this population.
Do antidepressants lift your mood?
In many cases, antidepressants can help to elevate your mood. This quality makes these medications particularly useful if a person is too depressed to take steps that could improve their mental and physical health, such as self-care, exercise, and talking to a therapist.
Do antidepressants flatten emotions?
Antidepressants can sometimes lead to a side effect called emotional blunting, in which you feel all emotions, not just depressive emotions, less intensely. There are ways to address and reduce emotional blunting, so if you are experiencing this symptom, do not abruptly stop taking your antidepressant medication, but instead talk to your doctor to develop a plan.
What drugs turn off emotions?
No drug can entirely “turn off” emotions. Some medications, such as antidepressants, may result in a side effect known as emotional blunting, in which emotions are felt less intensely.
Should you date someone on antidepressants?
When choosing whether to date someone, a person’s medication status is likely far less important than other factors, such as their personality, compatibility, and a common value system.
Do antidepressants make you talkative?
Antidepressants can help a person feel as though they have more energy and confidence, which may result in an increased desire to talk to other people.
How do antidepressants make you feel mentally?
Antidepressants can reduce some of the symptoms of depression, such as irritability and hopelessness. They may create a sense of increased overall mood stability, and also elevate your mood to the point where you may not feel as overwhelmed by everyday life.
What does Prozac feel like?
Prozac is the brand name for fluoxetine, a commonly prescribed antidepressant. Fluoxetine can help a person feel less exhaustion and irritability, two common side effects of depression. It may also control sleep, energy, and appetite levels, as well as boost one’s sense of focus. Fluoxetine, like all antidepressants, does have a risk of side effects. Fluoxetine may cause a person to gain weight, feel nauseous, or experience a decreased sex drive.
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