hit counter

Niacin For Depression: Does Vitamin B3 Improve Mood?

Niacin (vitamin B3) is a colorless hydrophilic organic compound classified as an essential dietary nutrient among humans.  Foods highest in niacin include: organ meat (liver, heart, kidneys), chicken, beef, fish, venison, and whole grains.  For human adults, the daily recommended allowance of niacin falls within the range of 12 mg to 16 mg per day, …

Read more

Travivo (Gepirone ER) For Depression & Anxiety

Travivo (Gepirone ER) is a pharmaceutical medication of the “azapirone” classification exhibiting a combination of anxiolytic, antidepressant, and libido-enhancing properties, similar to the drug Buspar (Buspirone).  It was originally synthesized in 1986 by the company Bristol-Myers Squibb, and its licensing rights were acquired by the company Fabre-Kramer in 1993.  In 1998, Fabre-Kramer out-licensed Gepirone to …

Read more

Buspar (Buspirone) For Depression: Exploring The Antidepressant Potential

Buspar (Buspirone) is a drug of the azapirone chemical classification that was engineered and patented in the 1970s by Mead Johnson.  It was later acquired by the pharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb and approved by the FDA in 1986 for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).  What’s unique about buspirone compared to other anxiolytics such …

Read more

Whole-Body Hyperthermia For Depression: Turning Up The Heat To Enhance Mood?

Hyperthermia is defined as supraphysiological body temperature resulting from absorption and/or production of more heat than is dispelled.  Medically, local hyperthermia is often used as an adjunct to radiation and/or chemotherapy for the treatment of cancers.  It is thought that deliberate induction of hyperthermia to a cancerous region of the body increases the sensitivity of …

Read more

Pindolol For Depression: A Useful Antidepressant Adjunct?

Pindolol is a beta blocker initially synthesized by the pharmaceutical company Sandoz in the 1960s.  As of 1977 it received FDA approval for the management of hypertension and was sold under the brand name “Visken.”  Pharmacologically, pindolol acts as a non-selective beta blocker, meaning it competitively binds to all 3 beta-adrenergic receptor sites (Beta-1, Beta-2, …

Read more

Phentermine For Depression: Does It Improve Mood?

Phentermine is a sympathomimetic amine [derived from amphetamine] initially approved by the FDA in 1959 for the treatment of obesity.  Its usage in the treatment of obesity was considered ideal due to the fact that phentermine suppressed appetite through central modulation of norepinephrine, and peripherally mobilized fat stores through catecholaminergic upregulation. That said, in the …

Read more

Minocycline For Depression: Antibiotics As Antidepressants?

Minocycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic of the tetracycline classification, indicating that its chemical structure consists of 4 hydrocarbon rings.  The fact that minocycline has a broad-spectrum mechanism indicates that it targets a wide-range of pathogenic (Gram-positive and Gram-negative) bacteria.  In fact, when compared to other tetracycline drugs, minocycline is regarded as having the “broadest spectrum” …

Read more