The Antidepressant Side Effect You CAN’T Ignore
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted December 17, 2022
The mainstream hands out antidepressants like breath mints these days. I call it Tic-Tac Medicine.
Feeling blue? Try some Prozac.
Anxiety causing panic attacks? Here’s some Lexapro.
Not sleeping well? Pop some Paxil.
Battling chronic pain? Zoloft should do the trick.
Want to stop smoking? You get Celexa.
And I’m willing to bet you’ve heard of every one of those drugs before. Because even if your doc hasn’t suggested them for you (yet), chances are you know someone who IS taking them. And then there are the relentless TV commercials urging folks to ask their doctors about them.
But the Tic-Tac approach can have serious health consequences
Antidepressants come with a long list of side effects, including agitation, loss of appetite, dizziness, insomnia, headaches, loss of libido, erection problems, fatigue, and more.
And while these side effects are disturbing, it gets so much worse.
Researchers uncovered something alarming when they tracked the health of almost 250,000 people for five years. Many antidepressants RAISE the risk of heart disease and early death.
According to a new study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry Open taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine, sertraline, citalopram, and paroxetine, is linked to a 34 percent increased risk of heart disease compared to people not on the pills.
But it gets worse.
The risk of DYING from heart disease was a stunning 87 percent higher, and the risk of death from any condition was 73 percent higher.
Why this is true isn’t well understood yet.
In fact, previous studies have shown that, in some cases, antidepressants can lower both blood sugar and blood pressure. So people SHOULDN’T be dropping dead from heart disease. (Perhaps we need to take a MUCH closer look at exactly who was holding the purse strings on those earlier studies.)
If you’re taking an antidepressant, you might be tempted to throw your pills into the trash. DON’T.
Suddenly stopping any drug (especially antidepressants) can be dangerous. ALWAYS consult your doctor first.
Meanwhile, you can take some drug-free steps to naturally support a better mood.
- Studies suggest that inflammation may be at the root of depression. You can naturally reduce inflammation by cutting back on processed foods and taking supplements like fish oil and curcumin.
- Exercise is proven to ease anxiety and depression symptoms. Schedule a daily workout. And whenever possible, do it outdoors to take advantage of the mood-lifting effects of sunlight.
- Support your brain with proven supplements. St. John’s wort and the amino acid 5-HTP can help relieve depressed moods.
- Studies have linked poor sleep to depression, so getting more quality rest can help. If you’re having problems sleeping, you can try calming herbs like chamomile, valerian, kava, and lavender. The amino acid theanine and melatonin can also help you get more quality shut-eye.
If you’re not already on an antidepressant, don’t become a victim of Tic-Tac Medicine. If your doctor suggests an SSRI, ask about trying some alternative approaches first.
P.S. According to a recent study, taking one simple step to boost your gut health can SLASH depression symptoms like anxiety, poor sleep, and difficulty concentrating.
Source:
“Antidepressant use and risk of adverse outcomes: Population-based cohort study.” BJPsych Open, 8(5), E164. doi:10.1192/bjo.2022.563
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Doctor-Approved Method to Ditch Blood Pressure Meds
In a world where drug solutions dominate healthcare, it’s refreshing to discover that best remedies sometimes don’t involve a single pill. A groundbreaking study shows simple relaxation techniques could be your secret weapon against one of America’s deadliest health conditions. Best of all? It’s free, easy to start right away—and your results are bound to...
Trouble Hearing? Your Heart Could Be at Risk
With research exploding and data pouring in, scientists are uncovering some weird (and surprisingly helpful) health connections. Today’s odd couple? Hearing loss and heart failure. Turns out your ears and your ticker are more connected than you ever imagined. A major study published in the journal Heart looked at over 164,000 people for nearly a...
Stay Up Late? It Could Destroy Your Mental Health
If you dread mornings but come alive at night, there’s concerning new research you need to know about. A recent study found that “night owls” are at higher risk for depression. But before you rush to set your alarm to get up with the sun tomorrow, there’s more to the story… Chronotypes are essentially your...
Go from Flabby to Fit with this Common Vitamin
If you’re like many of us, you woke up one day, looked in the mirror, and realized you’re no spring chicken anymore. Even worse—when you weren’t paying attention—it seems you somehow misplaced the muscles of your youth and have gone from fit to flabby. Aging has a way of humbling us like that. But scientists...
Seasonal Allergy “Off Switch” Discovered in the GUT
“Doc, why am I suddenly suffering from seasonal allergies when I’ve never had them before?” It’s a question I get all the time—and my answer might surprise you. Stop looking up at the trees—and start looking down at your gut… Your sneezing fits, itchy eyes, and runny nose might have more to do with what’s...
“Canary in the Coal Mine” Test Sniffs Out Brain Issues Early
One of the most common questions I get is how to tell if you’re starting to experience cognitive decline. I get it—losing your memory is scary, especially when it sneaks up on you. But here’s some exciting news that might put your mind at ease. A fascinating new study suggests that your nose might be...
BEAT Stubborn Leg Swelling Without Dangerous Diuretics
“I need help with edema.” —Swollen Hi Swollen, When patients complain of edema—fluid retention that causes feet, ankles, and legs to swell—I explain that, while conventional medicine immediately prescribes diuretic drugs, nature offers us effective solutions we can try first. I’ll share those in just a moment, but first, let’s take a quick look at...
Mental Health Linked to 30% FASTER Aging [6-Step FIX]
Your mind and body are more connected than you might realize—and a groundbreaking new study proves just how profound that connection really is. In fact, it’s this mind-body link that helps explain why battling depression can put you on the fast track to physical decline. Depression is the most common mental health condition worldwide. We’ve...
The Air You Breathe Is Silently Stealing Your Memory
You already know that air pollution damages your lungs. Chances are you’ve heard it can also harm your heart. And I bet you won’t be surprised when I tell you it claims millions of lives annually. But now, alarming new research suggests polluted air might also damage your brain. This study found that long-term exposure...
Get Intermittent Fasting Benefits Without Going Hungry
Intermittent fasting, which involves cycling between eating and fasting periods, is effective. There’s plenty of evidence for that. It’s not just weight loss, either. Intermittent fasting has significant benefits for metabolic health. However, many people find fasting difficult to stick to—and others can’t do it at all due to medical issues—so they miss out on...