SSRI
Researchers from Canada and the U.S. have published a bombshell article on the commonly used SSRI antidepressants, concluding they do far more harm than good. Unfortunately, due to misleading and illegal marketing of these drugs over the past 15 years,10 percent of the U.S. population, a majority of whom were not being treated for depression, have been placed on these brain-injuring drugs.

Over the past few years it has been exposed that Big Pharma selectively and intentionally suppressed negative SSRI studies in a way that created a false picture of benefit for marketing purposes. This was combined with illegal off-label marketing. Doctors began handing out SSRIs like candy, ignoring the emerging dangers that new science explains are quite significant.

This new study is interesting because it did not deal with the marketing scam, but rather with a rather stunning side effect profile of SSRIs that is still not well understood by doctors or the general public. The researchers point out that serotonin is a molecule of evolutionary importance that influences many aspects of health. Its natural balance and regulatory function are disturbed, not improved, by taking SSRI drugs. In keeping with my article of yesterday on bone drugs, I would also like to point out that one of the adverse side effects of SSRIs is bone loss.

The researchers also point out a long list of common side effects ranging from birth defects to early death in elderly patients. Of particular interest is the fact that SSRIs actually damage brain function, making individuals who take them more susceptible to depression as a result of stress. The researchers review the new science showing that antidepressants cause brain cell damage and death, even reverting mature brain cells to an immature state that triggers neuronal death.

People who think they need to take an SSRI should be actively repairing their health and boosting their brain health, while working with their doctor to gradually lower doses and eventually get off them. At this point it is unknown to what extent SSRI-induced brain injury may be permanent. Based on the newer nerve science, one's brain has tremendous nerve rejuvenating powers if given the opportunity. However, someone who thought they needed an SSRI in the first place already has issues and their path out of the muck is likely to require a higher level of consistency and patience, along with taking effective steps to bolster nerve and brain health.