One of the most popular prescribed drugs to treat anxiety is Lexapro(TM). Lexapro is an antidepressant and in a class of Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). TO describe how Lexapro works let’s first look at brain circuitry and neurotransmitters.
Neurotransmitters are endogenous chemicals that transmit signals across the brain through neurons. These chemical signals are passed through spaces between neurons called synapses. This happens millions of times every minute.
In a nutshell, the main chemical ingredient to happiness and well being is serotonin. The more serotonin being passed through neurons, the better you feel.
*This of course, a complete oversimplification. If your interested in all the scientific happenings of this process, I recommend looking it up on wikipedia.
When sending a chemical signal and neurotransmitters are released from one neuron to another another via the synapse, some of the transmitters make it to it’s intended neuron while others get sucked back up into the existing neuron.
What Lexapro does is bind to the “re-uptake” receptors forcing the serotonin neurotransmitters to attach to their intended neuron. This keeps the Serotonin flowing and as a result, you feel less anxious.
Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor and this is very much an oversimplification. If you’re considering trying Lexapro to treat anxiety, you’ll want to schedule an appointment with your doctor.
No comments yet.