Breggin, the author of the second article, makes his living writing books about the "dangers" of psychiatric drugs, which explains his use of loaded syntax and scary adjectives. It also calls into question his objectivity in reviewing the data. The first article is much more in keeping with what I submitted, and shows similar findings.
Notably: "In this latest study, Dr. Mayberg found that while the placebo and drug responders showed remarkably concordant changes in the brain, the patients on active medication showed 'additional changes' in the brainstem, striatum and hippocampus." These are the areas affected by the drug. The limbic region is what is affected by the placebo affect. ...and then: ""If you respond to a placebo, this may mean that your brain has an inherent capacity to heal itself -- but it is likely a short term effect," says Dr. Mayberg. As shown in other systematic studies of maintenance placebo versus active drug treatment, placebo patients tend to relapse sooner while those on active drug stay well longer. " Yep. You'll get a brief burst of feel good when you think are on the right track, and this is important for someone suffering from depression. As noted in my previous post, for those suffering from mild to moderate depression, this is likely all you'll need. However, for those suffering from severe depression, with suicidal ideation, a placebo is a prescription for death. Glad to hear you've never had a need for them. Good for you. :) I've been on a maintenance regimen for four years. On Fri, Aug 7, 2009 at 3:52 PM, deripsni <[email protected]> wrote: > > http://www.scienceagogo.com/news/20020401213621data_trunc_sys.shtml > > > http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/199407/another-view-talking-back-prozac > > Several excerpts from the second link; > > "One of these [studies] showed that Prozac was no better than placebo. > Three others supposedly showed Prozac to be somewhat superior to the > sugar pill, but not as good as older antidepressants." > > "The FDA's own analysis--expunged from its published conclusions-- > originally determined that Prozac is a stimulant-like drug. Nearly all > of Prozac's clearly established effects are indistinguishable from > those of classic stimulants such as the amphetamines and cocaine: > activation or energizing, nervousness, anxiety, agitation, insomnia, > nightmares, sweating, anorexia, weight loss, and in the extreme, > hypomania and mania. There is also evidence that Prozac can produce > behavioral abnormalities consistent with stimulants including paranoia > and violence, and crashing, with depression and suicidality." [ I > think I would prefer a placebo than risking these side effects ] > > "Prozac's seemingly good effects are probably based on a combination > of placebo and stimulation, with no specific "antidepressant" effect. > Being artifically jazzed up can be tempting for meeting the demands of > our high-stress, high-production lifestyles." > > I don't know why I got into this conversation as I have never > experienced depression, and never taken Prozac or any other > prescription drugs. ;-] > > > > --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups ""Minds Eye"" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Minds-Eye?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
