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What are Serotonin and Norepinephrine?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Serotonin and norepinephrine are two neurotransmitters that are identified as having strong effect on mood and many forms of mental or other illness, together or separately. If these chemicals exist in appropriate amounts and are not used too quickly by receptors in the brain, this often corresponds to more even mood. When they are used (reuptake) too quickly, mood may be difficult to control and conditions like depression or anxiety could occur. To greater or lesser degree, they also seem to have an impact on conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder or illnesses that cause chronic pain, such as fibromyalgia. Depending on the condition, medication that prevents quick reuptake of one or both of these neurotransmitters may be needed.

Even though serotonin and norepinephrine have similar roles, they’re not identical. Most serotonin resides in the gastrointestinal (GI) system and assists in GI tract function. Medications that increase this neurotransmitter’s levels (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs) can sometimes cause gastric problems. The principal location of most serotonin also offers explanation for why food consumption and mood are sometimes related. Only about 20 percent of the serotonin in the body circulates through the central nervous system.

Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain that can affect mood.
Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain that can affect mood.

In contrast, norepinephrine in produced in the sympathetic nervous system and it can be released in high amounts by the adrenal glands during fight or flight responses. In addition to affecting mood stability, norepinephrine also seems indicated in helping to increase cognitive focus. “Antidepressant" medications used in the treatment of ADHD are often ineffective if they don’t inhibit the reuptake of norepinephrine.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter found in the digestive system and central nervous system.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter found in the digestive system and central nervous system.

Drug research has led to numerous medications that most specifically target serotonin levels. With the advent of tricyclic drugs, some medications began to act as reuptake inhibitors to both serotonin and norepinephrine. This meant they prevented receptors for these chemicals from initiating a reuptake process too quickly, giving the brain more access to available serotonin, as well as norepinephrine. Tricyclics had a heavy burden of side effects, and they were replaced by medications that acted on serotonin only — SSRIs.

Effexor is an example of a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI).
Effexor is an example of a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI).

It became evident that many people with depression or anxiety were not fully helped by SSRIs, and drug researchers developed a new set of medicines that again addressed norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake. These are called serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors or SNRIs. Common SNRIs presently available include venlafaxine (Effexor®), desvenlafaxine (Pristiq®), and duloxetine (Cymbalta®). A few of the tricyclics are being re-branded as SNRIs and it’s unclear that side effect profiles of tricyclics and SNRIs are truly that different.

Antipsychotics and antidepressants typically work by adjusting the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain.
Antipsychotics and antidepressants typically work by adjusting the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain.

Research also suggests that certain conditions will respond better to SNRIs. Phobias, ADHD, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder all might be best treated with a norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibitor. This isn’t always the case, however, so treatment varies with the individual. There are disadvantages to drugs that simultaneously act on both neurotransmitters, including tendency to create discontinuation syndrome, which is similar to withdrawal. Additionally, inappropriate use of SNRIs in people with undiagnosed bipolar disorder may readily create mania or hypomania.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent TheHealthBoard contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent TheHealthBoard contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

donasmrs

I had no idea about norepinephrine and how it plays a role in some of these conditions. I've been battling depression for many years. I've only ever been treated with serotonin reuptake inhibitors. They work well most of the time, but there are always times when depressive feelings appear out of nowhere. I don't think I am courageous enough to try tricylic drugs though. I've heard a lot of nightmare stories about those.

SarahGen

@SteamLouis-- I was on an SNRI for about six months for anxiety and depression and it did help. I didn't continue after six months though because I started experiencing more side effects, mainly nausea, extreme fatigue and loss of appetite.

If SSRIs aren't working for you, then you can try SNRIs. Ask your doctor about it. SSRIs are still the preferred treatment since they have less side effects. Only if SSRIs are not working whatsoever do doctors consider SNRIs. From what I understand, SNRIs work well for some people but don't work for others whatsoever. It's difficult to predict how it will work for you without you actually trying it. But you should probably exhaust your other options before you go this route.

SteamLouis

Is anyone here being treated with an SNRI medication? Does it work for you and are there side effects? Would you recommend it to others with depression and anxiety?

I'm currently on a SSRI medication but it's not quite working for me. I'm wondering if I would be better off on an SNRI.

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    • Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain that can affect mood.
      By: jim
      Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain that can affect mood.
    • Serotonin is a neurotransmitter found in the digestive system and central nervous system.
      By: snyggg.de
      Serotonin is a neurotransmitter found in the digestive system and central nervous system.
    • Effexor is an example of a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI).
      By: themalni
      Effexor is an example of a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI).
    • Antipsychotics and antidepressants typically work by adjusting the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain.
      By: Alliance
      Antipsychotics and antidepressants typically work by adjusting the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain.
    • Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) that are commonly prescribed include Effexor® and Cymbalta®.
      By: ivolodina
      Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) that are commonly prescribed include Effexor® and Cymbalta®.