Medication

The discovery of antidepressants was literally a happy accident. In 1952, scientists were trying to treat tuberculosis with a drug called isoniazid, and their patients became inexplicably euphoric. By the end of the 1950s, almost half a million psychiatric patients were being treated with isoniazid, the world’s first prescription antidepressant. …

According to the National Survey of Drug Use and Health, cannabis use is growing the fastest among older adults. However, a new study “Qualitative Analysis of Cannabis Use Among Older Adults in Colorado” says that many of these individuals report challenges to getting medical marijuana, including fear of stigma from…

Abilify (or aripiprazole) is an antipsychotic drug that is used to treat a variety of conditions, such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, Tourette’s disorder, and autism spectrum disorder. This medication is also sometimes used along with other medications to treat depression. Abilify works by restoring the balance balance of neurotransmitters, which…

Zoloft, or sertraline, is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat a multitude of mental illnesses, such as depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and social anxiety disorder. This medication works by restoring a chemical imbalance in the brain and offers many benefits, as it may improve…

Zyprexa (or olanzapine) is an atypical antipsychotic, which is used to treat certain mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It is also sometimes used along with another medication to effectively treat depression. Zyprexa works by restoring a chemical imbalance in the brain, which then helps decrease hallucinations, helps…

Cymbalta (or duloxetine) is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), which fixes imbalances of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. It is primarily used to treat depression and anxiety, but may also successfully relieve nerve pain in those with diabetes or ongoing pain due to conditions like arthritis, chronic back pain,…

Xanax (alprazolam) is a benzodiazepine typically used to treat anxiety and panic disorders, which works by enhancing the effects of a natural chemical in our bodies called GABA and, in turn, producing a calming effect. This medication has anxiolytic, sedative, hypnotic, skeletal muscle relaxant, anticonvulsant, amnestic, and antidepressant properties, and…

Antidepressants are psychiatric medications used to treat a variety of conditions, but most commonly depressive disorders. Technically speaking, they target and correct chemical imbalances of neurotransmitters in our brains, which most likely cause major changes in our mood and behavior. Therefore, while they may not cure your underlying disorder, they…