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How do antidepressants actually work? [SSRIs]

Writer's picture: Belmont DrugsBelmont Drugs

Updated: May 7, 2024

SSRIs (antidepressants) are considered first-line treatment for depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, and a variety of other conditions. They are some of the most commonly prescribed medications in North America.

So, how do SSRIs work?

The short answer is that they increase the level of serotonin in your brain. Many researchers believe that a decrease in serotonin impacts one’s mood in a way that could potentially lead to depression. Normally, excess serotonin in a synapse gets recycled back to the presynaptic neuron. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors antagonize or block the serotonin reuptake transporter so that more serotonin is readily available to bind to the postsynaptic cleft leading to a positive effect on mood.



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