What Does Zoloft Do to the Brain? An Overview

Clinical depression is a serious condition that affects mental health, including mood and personality. Luckily, patients will have a fulfilling experience following the approval of Zoloft to manage intense depression.

Zoloft is an effective inhibitor of brain chemicals that regulate the general mood. It hinders the reuptake of Serotonin in brain cells, promoting relief from stress and anxiety.

Zoloft reduces the intensity of depressive symptoms– Click below to schedule your appointment.

Here we highlight an overview of Zoloft and how it works as an active inhibitor. We’ll also look at a few side effects you may notice when on medication.

An Overview

Zoloft is a special prescription for treating:

• Panic episodes
• General stress
• Other multi-depressive conditions

The drug can alleviate mild and serious depression symptoms with few side effects compared to other depressants.

It sells under the brand name Zoloft in most countries, although its official name is Sertraline.

Being a prescription drug approved by the [1*] FDA, it exists in three main forms, namely:

• Liquids
• Tablets
• Oral pills

Does Zoloft Damage Your Brain?

There are currently no screening results linking Zoloft to brain damage. Like other antidepressants, it has been used for many years, with remarkable long-term results. However, there is some worry about subtle brain changes.

A study found that Zoloft, a common antidepressant, may induce minor changes in the brain’s structure and functioning among users who aren’t depressed.

The study sampled female monkeys in their middle age, in which researchers recorded their depressive behavior from the start. Each monkey received a daily dose of Zoloft for 36 months, equivalent to a human’s recommended dosage.

After the study period, the drugs induced a small shrinking of two crucial brain parts:

• Anterior cingulate cortex
• Hippocampus

Both organs:

• Regulate mood
• Gather and store memory

Zoloft Uses

Does Zoloft Change Your Personality?

Yes. Like other antidepressants, Zoloft can change your personality, depending on the dosage. According to the US National Library of Medicine, Sertraline (Zoloft) can increase adaptive personality traits [2*] such as boldness and social charm among people diagnosed with depressive disorders.

For instance, a study published in the library sampled 84 patients in an eight-week trial period. Patients received equal doses of Sertraline every day, with frequent weekly assessments.

The study focused on two main psychopath traits:

• Fearless dominance
• Self-centered impulsivity

In the end, patients had remarkable shifts in the two primary traits. Both traits varied from small to moderate visible effects. Dominance rankings, for instance, increased while impulsivity reduced dramatically.

For this reason, psychiatrists worldwide expect to spot dramatic trait changes among patients under SSRI medications.

Zoloft is one of the effective ways to treat depressive disorders– Click below to get the most suitable depression treatment option. 

How Does Zoloft Work on the Brain?

The drug thrives on its powerful ability to balance vital brain chemicals among patients with:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Multi-depressive disorders

Sertraline helps increase Serotonin, an active brain chemical. 

 you take Zoloft, it inhibits the reabsorption cycle of Serotonin in your brain. An inhibited cycle creates a massive gap in transmission, which enables Serotonin to transmit more impulses to a single neuron. Thus, you’ll have a balanced level of Serotonin and an improved mood in return.

What Are the Long-term Side Effects of Zoloft?

Currently, there are no known side effects relating to the long-term use of Zoloft. The National Alliance on Mental Illness affirms that the drug is safe and effective [3*] as long as you take it according to your doctor’s prescription.

Side Effects of Zoloft

However, continued treatment doesn’t come without mild side effects, which normalize within weeks of taking your medication.

They include:

• Dry mouth
• Sweating
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Nervousness
• Restlessness
• Fatigue

In addition, Zoloft is a long-term depressant, hence can sometimes trigger overdependence. If you reach an alarming level where the drug forms part of your daily life, then you’re probably at risk of developing drug dependence. You may consider seeking medical help.

Are There Other Serious Side Effects of Zoloft?

Serious effects could occur, although not often. Only a small fraction of Sertraline users report severe outcomes.

They may include:

1. Continuous Bleeding

Zoloft may induce blood-thinning, resulting in severe bleeding. For instance, if you have a cut or nose bleeding, it may hinder rapid blood clotting.

2. Fainting

A small fraction of Zoloft users experiences severe dizziness and fainting. However, it only happens occasionally and requires urgent attention when it happens.

3. Suicidal Thoughts

Sertraline may sometimes trigger suicidal thoughts among:

• Adolescents
• Children
• Young adults

According to FDA, the risk of committing suicide is higher among children and adolescents receiving SSRI medications. From 24 trials conducted among pediatric patients, there was a 4% chance of suicidal thoughts in children than adults.

For this reason, FDA recommends giving the drug t0o pediatric patients only under strict observance.

Schedule an appointment with a mental health professional if you’re also confused by all the treatment options for depression.

Sertraline: An Effective Serotonin Inhibitor

Sertraline is an active and efficient drug with promising results. It provides relief from stress and serious multi-depressant disorders among adults. Its main role in the treatment is to prevent Serotonin uptake, creating a balanced mood in return.

EZCare Clinic offers medical treatment for anxiety and depression and other mental health services via online consultations and in-person visits in San Francisco, CA.