Does Xanax increase serotonin levels?
By
Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes PhD is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drugs Administration and Toxicity; Discovery of New Drugs; Cancer Treatment; Biochemical Analyzes and Hematological Analyzes. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes’ Highlights:
- Pharmacist at the Department of Health of Santa Catarina State, Brazil
- PhD with a focus on oncology treatment
- Years of experience in commercial pharmacy
- Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina
Professional Experience:
From her undergraduate studies to her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has participated in numerous scientific studies in the field of oncology and onco-hematology at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research has focused on understanding the molecular and biochemical bases of malignant neoplasms and investigating safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has also served as an assistant professor of haematology for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Additionally, she held the position of professor of Hospital Pharmacy at the Qualificar Technical School in Brazil, where she developed instructional materials for use in the Pharmacy Postgraduate Program at the Leonardo Da Vinci University Center.
In addition to her academic experiences, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes possesses a strong expertise in commercial pharmacy, with in-depth knowledge of medications, their routes of administration, desired effects, adverse effects, and toxicity.
Currently, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes works as a Pharmacist at the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, where her role entails providing pharmaceutical scientific consulting services to judges.
Education:
- 2016 Bachelor in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2018 Master in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2023 PhD in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
The main publications of Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes are:
Falchetti M ; Delgobo M, Zancanaro H, Almeida K, Das Neves RN, Dos Santos B, Stefanes NM, et al. Bishop Omics-based identification of an NRF2-related auranofin resistance signature in cancer: Insights into drug repurposing. Comput. Biol. Med [Internet]. 2023; 152:106347.
Feuser PM, Matos dos Santos PC, Cordeiro AP, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Maioral MF, Santos-Silva MC, et al. Antineoplastic activity of free 4-nitrochalcone and encapsulated in poly(thioether-ester) nanoparticles obtained by thiol-ene polymerization in two human leukemia cell lines (Jurkat and K562). J Drug Deliv Sci Technol [Internet]. 2022; 67:102924.
Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Perondi DM, Efe FL, Souza LFS, Sens L, et al. Synthesis of chalcones derived from 1-naphthylacetophenone and evaluation of their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in acute leukemia cell lines. Bioorg. Chem [Internet]. 2021; 116:105315.
Duarte BF, Vieira DSC, Lisboa ML, Stefanes NM, Grando LJ, Santos-Silva MC. Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de boca. Arquivos Catarinenses de Medicina. 2021; 50(2): 232–245.
Machado V, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Santos-Silva MC, Biavatti MW. Anti-leukemic activity of semisynthetic derivatives of Lupeol. Nat. Prod. Res. 2021; 35(22):4494-4501.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Yunes RA, et al. A novel sulfonamide derivative as a strong and selective apoptotic agent against hematological malignancies. Chem. Pap. 2020; 74:2965–2976.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Cytotoxic mechanisms of primin, a natural quinone isolated from Eugenia hiemalis, on hematological cancer cell lines. Anticancer Drugs. 2020; 31(7):709-717.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Neufeldt PD, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Santos-Silva MC. Aldehyde biphenyl chalcones induce immunogenic apoptotic-like cell death and are promising new safe compounds against a wide range of hematologic cancers. Future Med. Chem. 2020; 12(8):673–688.
Perondi DM, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Maioral MF, Sens L, Pacheco LA, Cury NM, et al. A novel thiosemicarbazone as a promising effective and selective compound for acute leukemia. Anticancer Drugs. 2019; 30(8):p 828-837.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Argenta DF, Dotto MER, Santos-Silva MC, et al. PEO-chitosan nanofibers containing carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanoparticles loaded with pyrazoline for skin cancer treatment. Eur. Polym. J. 2019; 119:335-343.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Santos-Silva MC, Nunes RJ, Parize AL, et al. A new and efficient carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanocarrier for a pyrazoline with antileukemic activity. Mater. Sci. Eng. C [Internet]. 2019; 105:110051.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Miconidine acetate, a new selective and cytotoxic compound with synergic potential, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Invest. New Drugs. 2019; 37:912–922.
Srefanes NM, Toigo J, Maioral MF, Jacques AV, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Perondi DM, Ribeiro AAB, et al. Synthesis of novel pyrazoline derivatives and the evaluation of death mechanisms involved in their antileukemic activity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2019; 27(2):375-382.
Maioral MF, Bodack CN, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, et al. Cytotoxic effect of a novel naphthylchalcone against multiple cancer cells focusing on hematologic malignancies. Biochim. 2017; 140:48-57.
You can view some of Dr Natália’s work below and links to her professional profile below.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalia-Stephanes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliamarceli/
Does Xanax increase serotonin levels?
No, Xanax does not increase serotonin levels. Serotonin is an excitatory neurotransmitter and Xanax is a depressant. Some research studies may tell you that there is a hint of evidence that Xanax may reduce the levels of serotonin, but it surely doesn’t increase it.
Xanax belongs to the class of Benzodiazepines, which are commonly prescribed medications to manage anxiety and insomnia. Xanax is a habit-forming medication and is among the list of top misused medications in the world.
Make sure you use Xanax only if prescribed by your healthcare provider and stick to the recommended dose. This medication is not something to play with and it can cause severe addiction.
What neurotransmitters are generally affected by Xanax?
Xanax, being an anxiolytic, works on the inhibitory system of the brain. It enhances the effects of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. (1,2)
GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that helps reduce the activity of nerve cells, resulting in a calming and sedative effect. Xanax acts on GABA receptors, increasing their activity and promoting a sense of relaxation and anxiety relief.
By enhancing GABA’s effects, Xanax can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and promote relaxation (3). It’s important to note that Xanax affects GABA specifically, and its effects on other neurotransmitters may be indirect or secondary to its primary action on GABA receptors.
This is why Xanax can cause side effects like tiredness and dizziness, and does not increase energy levels like some antidepressants can.
What are the beneficial effects of Xanax on your brain?
The effects of Xanax on the brain and certain neurotransmitters make it a good treatment option for certain health conditions.
Xanax can manage various anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. People experiencing overwhelming worry, panic attacks, dizziness, or intense fear in social situations might find relief with Xanax.
The medication can help ease symptoms such as excessive worry, nervousness, tension, and panic attacks. For individuals facing trouble sleeping due to anxiety, Xanax might also aid in promoting relaxation, thereby improving sleep quality.
However, it’s crucial to remember that while Xanax can be helpful in managing these symptoms, it should only be used as directed by a healthcare professional. Using it for prolonged periods can lead to dependence, and addiction, and sometimes worsen the symptoms once the medication is stopped.
What medications increase serotonin levels?
There are a lot of medications that may directly or indirectly increase the level of serotonin in your system. However, there is one class of medications that stands out from the rest of them.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), as their name indicates, selectively focus on serotonin. These medications work by inhibiting the reabsorption of serotonin in the brain, allowing it to stay in the synaptic gap for much longer and effectively increasing its levels (4).
By boosting serotonin levels, SSRIs can help alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other related conditions. Some commonly prescribed SSRIs include medications like Prozac (Fluoxetine), Zoloft (Sertraline), Lexapro (Escitalopram), and Paxil (Paroxetine).
Xanax can be paired with these medications, including Zoloft and Lexapro. The combination can do wonders for some people. However, one important thing to note is that all of these meds are prescription drugs and they should never be taken individually or combined with one another without a doctor’s approval.
Final words
To sum up, Xanax does not increase serotonin levels. Serotonin is an excitatory chemical, whereas Xanax enhances the inhibitory system of your brain. Make sure you reach out to your doctor to talk abut your systems. Your doctor will determine the best course of action to restore your health.
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References
1.-
George TT, Tripp J. Alprazolam. 2023 Apr 24. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 30844192. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30844192/
2.-
Ait-Daoud N, Hamby AS, Sharma S, Blevins D. A Review of Alprazolam Use, Misuse, and Withdrawal. J Addict Med. 2018 Jan/Feb;12(1):4-10. doi: 10.1097/ADM.0000000000000350. PMID: 28777203; PMCID: PMC5846112. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5846112/
3.-
Fawcett JA, Kravitz HM. Alprazolam: pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, and mechanism of action. Pharmacotherapy. 1982 Sep-Oct;2(5):243-54. doi: 10.1002/j.1875-9114.1982.tb03191.x. PMID: 6133268. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6133268/
4.-
Chu A, Wadhwa R. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. 2023 May 1. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 32119293. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554406
