Because many medications used to treat mental health disorders work by altering several neurotransmitters in the brain.
Reuptake is a crucial part of this process.
What is the most important information I should know about reuptake?
Laguna Design/Oxford Scientific/Getty Images
Reuptake is essential for synaptic functioning.
It allows neurotransmitters to be reused and helps regulate neurotransmitter levels present in the synapse.
Why Is Reuptake Important in Treatment?
As a result, higher-than-normal serotonin levels are left to circulate in the brain.
Serotonin has been called the body’s natural “feel-good” chemical because it produces a sense of well-being.
As it’s possible for you to see, SSRIs don’t help the body to produce more serotonin.
Instead, they help the body circulate more of the serotonin it has.
Types of Reuptake Medications
There are a variety of reuptake medications available in addition to SSRIs.
This can result in dangerously high serotonin levels in the brain.
Serotonin syndrome is more likely to occur when you first start taking a serotonin-boosting medication or increase the dose.
Serotonin syndrome is rare, mainly because doctors are very careful about prescribing medications that could cause it.
American Psychological Association.Reuptake inhibitor.
Sansone RA, Sansone LA.Serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors: A pharmacological comparison.Innov Clin Neurosci.
2014;11(3-4):3742.
