why do SSRI medications take time to “Build up”?

Question

Im confused as to what this means. What is building up in your body? Serotonin?

In: 9

Answer 1

It’s not that it takes time for serotonin to build up, but that increased serotonin levels from transporter inhibition leads to changes in gene transcription like BDNF that ultimately lead to the therapeutic effects. It’s the upregulation and downregulation of different proteins that takes time.

Answer 2

It’s not that it takes time for serotonin to build up, but that increased serotonin levels from transporter inhibition leads to changes in gene transcription like BDNF that ultimately lead to the therapeutic effects. It’s the upregulation and downregulation of different proteins that takes time.