Black Cohosh As An SSRI

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Black Cohosh has long been used in the treatment of various female conditions, such as premenstrual syndrome and menopause, but recent studies show that its potential to act as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) may lead to seratonin syndrome, a potentially fatal condition. For this reason, black cohosh should be used carefully, at proper dosages, and only as part of a regimen that does not cause excessive levels of serotonin. As with all SSRI drug treatments be sure that you speak with your physician before undergoing a treatment regimen.

Black Cohosh Application

A natural product of the eastern North American landscape, black cohosh has long been lauded for its natural affects on various conditions such as dysmenorrhea (menstruation characterized by acute pain), premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and even osteoporosis. In treatment of these debilitating conditions, black cohosh acts as a phytoestrogen, a plant-based substance that resembles estrogen and can be used to substitue estrogen depletion in humans. Studies show that black cohosh can be used as an estrogen-like supplement to reduce or reverse the effects of PMS and menopause.

Symptoms of PMS include depression, aches, and pains. Similar to PMS, symptoms of menopause include depression, aches, pains, and hot flashes (sensations of overheating and temperature change). Black cohosh was first used by Native Americans to treat each of these symptoms. Because of its usefulness in treating conditions hat affect many people worldwide, black cohosh is used in many herbal products and research is continuous. Today, doctors and herbalists know that black cohosh functions most precisely as a balance for luteinizing hormone levels. Balancing lutein, black cohosh is useful as an antioxidant as well.

For patients suffering from depression, black cohosh use presents an added concern. As it naturally increases serotonin levels, black cohosh helps to relieve some of the burden of depression. For people suffering from depression, the pleasant effect of a higher seratonin level is very seductive. Many people who experience the euphoria associated with spiked serotinin production or even milder increases of serotonin are also treated by other herbal remedies such as saint john's wort and prescription drugs that act as SSRIs. Although SSRIs are not known to be addictive, attempting to come off of their use quickly may result in serotonin discontinuation syndrome. Furthermore, when serotonin levels become too high, users are in danger of experiencing serotonin syndrome, which is essentially serotonin overdose.

Black Cohosh Adverse Effects

Serotonin discontinuation syndrome is characterized by a variety of symptoms. These symptoms range from extreme flu-like symptoms such as headache, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, chills, dizziness, and fatigue to mental and emotional symptoms such insomnia, agitation, lack of focus, vivid and fitful dreams, depersonalization/derealization, irritabilitiy, and suicidal thoughts. While black cohosh alone is not usually potent enough to elicit a response as strong as serotonin discontinuation syndrome, it can be a contributor to the syndrome when it is used in conjunction with other remedies and medications. For that reason, people who take saint john's wort or various SSRIs should use black cohosh cautiously. Furthermore, black cohosh should always be taken at its prescribed dosage to prevent excessive serotonin production.

Serotonin syndrome is characterized by a variety of symptoms as well. These symptoms include euphoria, drowsiness, rapid eye movement, reflex overreaction, rapid muscle contraction and relaxation leading to foot, clumsiness, restlessness, feelings of intoxication, dizziness, jaw spasms, profuse sweating, muscular twitching, rigidity, increase in body temperature, mood swings, shivering, diarrhea, and loss of consciousness. In some cases, the effects of serotonin syndrome are devastating, leading to coma or death.

Black Cohosh Recommendation

Be sure that you speak with your medical professional about any SSRI medication that you may take.