- antidepressant medications
There are a number of antidepressants known to induce serotonin syndrome. This is because numerous antidepressants are designed to increase serotonin levels in the body. Given that serotonin is known as the feel-good hormone, this strategy is logical. It follows that a deficiency in serotonin is one of the main causes of depression, and that increasing its levels in the body could alleviate its symptoms.
The SSRI class of antidepressants may induce serotonin syndrome. This is due to the fact that this class of antidepressants is intended to prevent the brain from removing excess serotonin. When excess serotonin is not eliminated, the hormone can rapidly accumulate within the body. This may result in an excess of serotonin and the development of serotonin syndrome. If you are currently taking an antidepressant and are experiencing serotonin symptoms, you may wish to discuss this with your doctor.
