Three Theories of Depression and the Promise of Psychedelics: The Drugs That Shape Us, Episode 3

In the late 1950s, a tuberculosis drug was repurposed as the world’s first antidepressant. Then the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) Prozac ushered in a new era of antidepressants. Today SSRIs are some of the most widely prescribed drugs in the country, but gaps still exist in our biological understanding of mental health, the overall efficacy of antidepressants, and predicting serious side effects. In response, some scientists and physicians are turning to different classes of drugs altogether to treat depression. Transcripts and episode sources at acs.org/chainreaction