Can doing many drugs for many years cause anti-depressants to have no affect due to dead brain cells?

Answer by  johnresa (2455)

No. A lot people are given anti-depressants while being in recovery from many years using addictive drugs. The anti-depressants are still just as effective regardless of the lessened brain cells.

Answer by  dracon420 (249)

Kind of. What actually happens is the receptor sites in your brain cells get plugged with the active chemicals instead of the chemicals that naturally make you happy, such as dopamine. Over time, the receptor sites begin to only accept the chemicals from the drugs.

Answer by  Tony38 (215)

Anti-depressants are less effective for people who have used lots of drugs over time, not because of their brain cells being dead, but because the drugs have changed their brain's natural chemistry.

Answer by  km8738 (1917)

Yes and No. The reason anti-depressant do not work is not because of dead brain-cells, but because of severe chemical imbalances. Doing drugs and anti-depressants together usually nullifies the antidepressants effects. Anti-depressants will not work properly until the drug use is discontinued.