#163 Antidepressants; Exoplanets; California’s megadroughts – the latest news in science
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New Study Suggests SSRIs Dampen Sensitivity to Rewards and Pleasurable Experiences
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly used types of antidepressants, with Prozac being the most well-known brand name./nThe use of antidepressants can dull all emotions, not just negative ones, and up to half of people taking them experience dampening of both positive and negative emotions./nA recent study from the University of Cambridge found that people who took SSRIs were 23% less sensitive to stimuli switch, suggesting that their sensitivity to rewards was flattened./nThis suggests that SSRIs reduce people's sensitivity to rewards and other pleasurable experiences, but they can also blunt the intensity of negative feelings./nSahakian, the lead researcher, hopes that doctors will have a discussion with patients about the potential side effects of antidepressants rather than being more cautious in prescribing them.
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