Love-sick, Literally

By CC Staff

Antidepressants are supposed to make us happier—but are they actually doing the opposite? According to researcher Helen Fisher, Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil and other antidepressants may alter brain chemistry in a way that zaps desire to find a mate and dulls the euphoria felt when people fall in love—a process that Fisher calls “temporary insanity.”

I’m sure anyone who’s been in love would not hesitate to agree with that description. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if many people on antidepressants began them after the breakup. I can’t help but wonder…since the prescription of anti-depressants has more than doubled in the past 30 years, perhaps we should be asking what came first—the chicken or the egg?

Ironically, it seems that not only can depression mean bad news for love, but that falling in love can mean bad news for your health as well. According to Professor Martin Cowie of Imperial College, “Our pupils dilate, our palms become sweaty and the heart rate increases. We have large amounts of adrenaline running through our system and that does cause problems for the body.”

In personal news, I have a date tomorrow night. Perhaps I should quit while I’m ahead and stay home with my cats. Having a pet is good for your health, after all!