Non-addictive, 'heroin-like' medicine may soon crush major depression

Thought this may provide hope for the depressed

What could easily be the most important advance in the pharmacologic treatment of major depression and anxiety disorders is now unfolding.
A new investigational drug, currently known as ALKS 5461, could deliver all the mood-enhancing and anxiety-lowering effects that lead people to use opiates like heroin and Oxycontin—without the potential for getting high or addicted. That’s right: ALKS 5461 could be a non-abusable, non-addictive heroin-like compound.
ALKS 5461 is actually a combination of two molecules. The first is buprenorphine, which is already used to provide some of the benefits of opiates, without many of the worst side effects, allowing people to get off of street drugs (as an alternative to methadone). The second molecule is now known as ALKS 33—and that’s the magic part.
ALKS 33 interferes with the binding of buprenorphine to the receptors that are involved in making people feel euphoric. Those are the receptors also involved in getting people to crave opiates like alcoholics crave alcohol.
In a double-blind, placebo controlled study (meaning, the participants had no idea whether they were getting ALKS 5461 or a sugar pill), ALKS 5461 was rapidly effective in relieving symptoms in 32 patients with major depression. All 32 patients responded to the medicine—with results evident by seven days.
What’s more, all of them had failed to respond adequately to traditional antidepressants like Prozac or Effexor.
Ultimately, I believe ALKS 5461 could revolutionize the pharmacologic treatment of major depression and panic disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
It should come as no surprise that ALKS 5461 is the brainchild of scientists at Alkermes Pharmaceuticals, the same company, which invented and markets Vivitrol, a monthly injection that can take away the “high” of using alcohol and street drugs—and in my opinion, ought to be something that every family member of every addict clamors to get their loved one to take.
If ALKS 5461 comes to market (and I believe it will), then that scourge we call major depression will be dealt a massive blow. It will still be imperative to use insight-oriented psychotherapy to get to the bottom of what unique psychological issues have fueled each person’s depression, but that should be easier—not harder—when folks aren’t struggling just to get out of bed and over to their psychiatrists’ offices.
This is a really big deal.

source: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/...ike-medicine-may-soon-crush-major-depression/

 

Awesome.

 

It would probably be better than SSRI's for sure.

That being said, I think I'm going to fnid a few hundred dollars to buy stocks in this company...

 

That might be a very good idea.

 

Better happy pills won't do a damn thing to solve the cause of most depression...
The nightmare we call modern life.

 

yeah but what if it helps us stop worrying about it? why would that be necessarly be a bad thing?

 

This might.

The nightmare you call modern life is a dream about modern life.

 

Exactly. If we wouldn't be bothered by the modern grind, and find ways to find peace, then modern life wouldnt be so bad would it...

 

lobotomy works too

 

Some people's quality of life is really diminished by this depression. I used to be all self righteous about doing things the natural way and what not, but bottom line, sometimes that can mean suffering for no good reason so f*ck natural.

If some people need a chemichal boost, then all the power to them. I'm not saying to stop all efforts, I'm just saying if they want to use all tools at their disposal - then all the power to them

 

could this also function as a replacement for methadone prescriptions for recovering heroin addicts?

 

I've never been self-righteous about doing things the natural way but I don't believe in
'better living though chemistry' either.

Some people need dope to cope. I use pot.

Depression is rarely natural. I believe it's more often caused by circumstance than chemical imbalance.

 

how about just use heroin and dont get addicted like a pu$$y byitch.

 

I have a panic attack-disorder which at times can be quite severe.The only thing that works to get rid of it is Benzos.(Klonopin.)I'm suspicious of the pharmaceutical industry but if this new drug really works I would certainly take it.

 

I'd rather take that then SSRIs...though I think cannabis will always be my drug of choice for helping my symptoms.

 

Heroin-like? No matter what they try to sell, count me out.

I'd rather stick with MDMA and psychedelics. The studies on those are incredibly promising for depression, and you don't have to take them daily. Personally for myself, they've had a HUGE positive impact. Plus none of those nasty physical side effects.

MAPS.org has lots of good stuff they've been posting recently.

 

I find cannabis is hit or miss for me. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it hinders.

I would probably use this pill. Opiates have a very long history of use and they are safe when used correctly. Much safer than those dirty SSRI's and SNRI's. I try to stay away from those.

Different tools apply to different situations my man. I also believe in the power of psychedelics but they shouldnt be taken when you are in the depressed state. What would you reccomend for someone who shows up at the hospital in a black hole of despair, with panic attacks and on the verge of suicide? Would you just give them a few hits? Also, for some people psychedelics don't work. Depression just comes creeping back. People who are chronically depressed may need to be chronically medicated.

Also, since you are interested in non-traditional drugs to treat mental illness, have a look at Ketamine to treat depression. It's been showing extremely promising results as well.

 

MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) does actually have promising studies which show, when administered in the right circumstances, that psilocybin mushrooms and other psychedelics do have the mechanisms to cure depression. I'm aware of the ketamine studies as well.

Based on my own experiences, MDMA is wonderful for depression, and before taking any psychedelics, I would recommend using Molly to set a positive, loving mindset. I wouldn't take them all at once. It's more about easing and preparing your body to go into a psychedelic state.

I had a wonderful time on LSD this past weekend, but I dropped Molly beforehand. I also didn't take all the LSD pills at once. I took 1 and waited a while before taking the rest.

You just have to be smart about it, but when psychedelics work, boy do they work.

But of course, MDMA is promising in and of itself. Doze vibes. THAT should be the standard go-to drug for depression.

 

I'm not saying that psychedelics are not a powerful tool, I'm just saying not all problems have only one solution to them. Psychedelics may work for alot of people, but they may not work for everyone.

Also, as I'm sure you already know, MDMA can have a pretty rough come down. If the patien has not gotten what he needs from his MDMA session, he is left to deal with the comedown which could cause a rebound effect on the depression. The stakes are higher.

 

True, I see where you're coming from. Personally I think it all has to do with figuring out patient history, and applying the right mechanisms/protocols. As well as easing the patient's body into the experience, instead of slamming it with high doses all at once.

I've vaguely heard about the comedown from MDMA, but never experienced it for myself. Sounds like something one would experience from taking too much more than anything.


I think MAPS knows what they're talking about, though, and are aware of how to go about treating different patients. I used to have severe depression and anxiety problems, but I was smart about looking up research and my personal use. (In one case, I wasn't, but I learned from my mistake.) Point is, I haven't felt more alive in a long time. Plus my body has finally gotten its sleep schedule together.

I would never touch conventional anti-depressants. More risk there for me IMO.