Giving a Voice to the Silence

Image via WikipediaOnly 2 years ago new pills were being introduced to help people quit smoking, lose weight and beat other tough addictions, such as alcohol and cocaine. The pills would work by blocking the parts of the brain that control the pleasure responses we get when we eat, smoke, use drugs, etc.

However, as tests have gone it may seem that they work too well for some people. There have been reports of some people taking these drugs experiencing severe depression and thoughts of suicide.

The scientists and makers of these drugs say they are say are safe - though not for everyone. The fact that this type of restriction would bring many setbacks and issues - as it would take these new drugs away from those who could use it the most. In addition, the fact that these drugs do block the pleasure center of the brain, in order to curb cravings - they may also play a part in taking away some pleasure of life away in general.

In recent studies, 43 percent of those the drug Rimonaband noted psychiatric issues, with 28 percent reporting the same effects with dummy pills. As with other studies, those with history of depression were more affected by the drugs.

There is the argument that those who quit smoking or are trying to lose weight, will on their own experience mood swings and depression - so all in all it may be difficult to determine what is causing what.

In one report, a Schizo patient was given a drug to help him quit smoking, without worsening his psychological symptoms.

It’s a toss up - do we use the drugs to help, or do we withhold them to save them.