zoloft, prozac, lexapro and celexa

yep, they picked the right ones, it looks like.

http://www.sailhome.org/Concerns/BodyBurden/Burdens/Fluoride.html


Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) drugs are commonly prescribed to treat depression.

These drugs incorporate fluorine into their chemical structure.


Brand Name Generic Name
Celexa ‣ citalopram
Lexapro ‣ escitalopram oxalate
Luvox ‣ fluvoxamine maleate
Paxil ‣ paroxetine
Prozac ‣ fluoxetine
Zoloft ‣ sertraline (chlorine instead of fluorine)


The drugs are designed to block metabolism of the neurotransmitter serotonin. The result is increased serotonin.

It appears this may not be a good approach. Excess of a neurotransmitter makes it excitotoxic.

This is significant because depression is an excitotoxic condition -- it is the result of excess glutamate activation in the frontal cortex of the brain (basis here and here). Manipulating the level of serotonin does not address the underlying problem of excess glutamate. Instead it simply adds burden to the degenerative condition already underway. Recent research indicates that genetic variability in glutamate activity can make a significant number of people more sensitive to SSRI effects, including a much higher likelihood of expressing suicidal thoughts.

Serotonin receptors exist throughout the body. Altering the level of serotonin affects the entire body, not just the brain. Elevated serotonin is associated with

Agitation
Altered REM sleep behavior
Alzheimer's
Anxiety
Autism spectrum disorders
Depression
Exhibitionism
Hostility
Impulsive behavior
Insomnia
Mental retardation
Mood disorders (wild mood swings)
Nightmares
Organic brain disease
Psychosis
Reckless driving
Schizophrenia
Substance abuse
Suicide
Violence


Several things happen as the SSRI forces a constant excitotoxic state -- serotonin receptors die off, serotonin levels become depleted, and a cascade of metabolic disruption takes place. The person becomes acutely worse. Additional conditions SSRI's have been shown to directly trigger include

Angina pectoris
Atrial fibrillation
Bone fractures
Cardiac arrhythmia
Congestive heart failure
Diarrhea
Dystonia
Gastrointestinal distress
Hemorrhages
Hypertension
Hypotension
Migraine syncope
Mood swings
Myocardial infarction
Nausea
Obesity
Osteoporosis
Seizures
Sexual dysfunction
Tachycardia
Trigeminy
Vascular headache
Vomiting


Also, any SSRI crosses the placenta and exposes the fetus to its effects.


There are hundreds of high-profile cases of murders, suicides, school shootings, incidents of workplace violence, road rage and other events -- all tied to the use of prescription SSRI drugs.

Large clinical studies in the U.K. show SSRIs increase suicides by at least 3x. According to GlaxoSmithKline internal data the rate is at least 6.4x. These results are based on short-term trials (4-6 weeks). In real-world use the rate may be 60x higher, but nobody has been paid publicly to study that.


CAUTION: If you are currently taking an SSRI and want or need to stop, it is important not to simply go "cold turkey" or to reduce use too quickly. It can take months to safely discontinue use of these drugs. It is imperative you consult a qualified practitioner. These drugs are dangerous to start, and dangerous to stop.


The internet is filled with additional information. Here are just a few starting points

‣ Prozac's House of Horrors
‣ Wikipedia
‣ DrugAwareness.org
‣ McGill University Health Centre
‣ Whale