Since SSRI raise serotonin levels almost immediately , why isnt there an immediate effect if depressed people lack serotonin ?

Question

Since SSRI raise serotonin levels almost immediately , why isnt there an immediate effect if depressed people lack serotonin ?

In: 57

Answer 1

I’m not a doctor but my understanding is that our brains have plenty of serotonin transporters to start with so it takes a while for your brain to create more transporters. The additional serotonin is there but it’s not effective until your brain figures out that it needs more taxis to get it where it needs to go. It’s not effective until the serotonin arrives at its destination. In the meantime before this happens, the extra serotonin is not used.