In this blog post, we are going to talk about the possibility of lexapro causing euphoria. Lexapro is an antidepressant and it produces a number of different kinds of side effects.

We will thoroughly discuss lexapro induced euphoria today and will also discuss what euphoria is actually like. We will also shed some light on other factors and drugs that might make you feel the same way.

Does Lexapro cause euphoria?

Lexapro may cause euphoria but this side effect is pretty rare and depends on the unique psychological composition of every other individual. Some people have reported feeling unusually giddy and happy, just after the administration of their first ever dose.

However, researchers suggest that lexapro does not possess too many addictive properties as compared to many other medications.

The variable results of a single medication have been bugging scientists for quite a while now and they continue to learn more and more about how our bodies react when they are exposed to medications.

Several surveys have revealed anxious and agitated first few weeks of lexapro, but some of the surveys actually revealed a state of euphoria experienced by some people during the first few weeks of treatment with lexapro.

A few lexapro users revealed how they felt happy, excited and kept smiling for no reason at all. A few others revealed that the same happened to them for a week or two, after which they got back to their normal anxious self.

As stated earlier, lexapro does not have strong euphoric properties. This antidepressant belongs to the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which block serotonin transporters (SERT) and inhibit the reuptake of leftover serotonin present in synaptic cleft.

This results in increased serotonergic activity which counteract the symptoms of depression and anxiety. The increased amounts of excitatory chemicals can affect people differently. The dependence on lexapro also varies from person to person.

Researchers indicate that people may take an increased dose or take it more frequently in order to stabilise their mood and make their depression or anxiety symptoms go away.

Surveys also revealed that some people use someone else’s lexapro if they feel down or agitated. This is the worst practice ever. Lexapro is a prescription medication and there is a reason why you can not buy it like other over-the-counter drugs.

If you feel depressed or anxious, it’s better to consult your healthcare professional, who will prescribe you a suitable antidepressant only if you need it.

It is also not recommended to let someone else use your medication and should never recommend any med to someone else as it is something only healthcare professionals are authorised to do.

What does euphoria feel like?

Euphoria is a state of happiness and excitement. It can be felt naturally when you get good grades, achieve a goal or simply when you crush smiles at you.

It is basically characterised by a surge of excitatory neurotransmitters, like a wave washing over all your troubles and you become this one happy person. A person in a euphoric state does not focus on anything bad.

Researchers believe that this state can cause several psychological symptoms as well, which may include confusion, unusual motor coordination, dizziness, auditory or visual hallucinations, paranoia, mood swings and fatigue.

A consistent euphoric state without any medication or the use of controlled substances can indicate an underlying psychological disorder and should be examined by a mental healthcare professional. Most probable diagnosis is schizophrenia or bipolar disorders.

Although this state is associated with happiness and excitement, this too much happiness, without a logical reason, is a matter of concern and clearly indicates that this feeling is not normal and is caused by some changes in the brain.

If we specifically talk about lexapro, it is not commonly associated with this kind of feeling. Instead, you’ll hear people how they suffered from anxiety and a bad mood during the first few weeks of lexapro or any other antidepressant.

What other medications are responsible for causing euphoria?

There are several medications which are known to produce euphoric states. These include:

Opioids

Opioids are well known for producing euphoria. They come under the category of controlled drugs and only authorised healthcare professionals can prescribe them and they are not available in every pharmacy.

Researchers indicate that the euphoric effects of opioids are related to the fact that they can interfere with the reward pathway of the brain and trigger it. This way you feel unusually happy and cheerful. These meds can severely impair your thinking and decision making capabilities.

Examples include:

Morphine
Codeine
Fentanyl
Hydromorphone
Hydrocodone
Methadone
Meperidine
Oxycodone

Amphetamines

Amphetamines belong to the class of central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. These drugs can highly affect your dopamine related reward pathway and can activate it and make you euphoric.

They can be used to treat Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but the misuse of amphetamines is much more common than actual use. It can also be used by athletes to enhance their performance.

Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine

Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are also responsible for causing euphoria. These agents are used in cough syrups in very small quantities and this is probably why cough syrups make you feel good or sleepy.

Ephedrine is a sympathomimetic drug, which means it enhances the activity of the sympathetic nervous system and triggers the flight and fight response, associated with the surge of energy and excitement.

Dextromethorphan

Dextromethorphan can also cause euphoria and addiction. Several surveys indicated that it is one of the most commonly abused medicines.

Dextromethorphan can also be present in over-the-counter medications to help relieve cough and sore throat, which is exactly why it’s addiction can be easily fulfilled.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines can also result in euphoric states. The addiction associated with these anti-anxiety medications is pretty well known and so is their abuse. It also belongs to one of the most commonly abused medicines.

Make sure you’re not taking any of the medications mentioned above with lexapro. It’s not just about controlled drugs, but as mentioned earlier, these chemicals are available in over-the-counter medications as well and their use with the antidepressant could easily be a possibility.

It is impossible to predict how a person will react to lexapro or any other antidepressant. It’s better to stay from unnecessary medications and alcohol while you’re on your antidepressant treatment.

What are the additional side effects of lexapro?

Common side effects of Lexapro include:

Loss of appetite
Constipation or diarrhoea
Sexual issues
Difficulty in falling asleep
Vertigo
Decreased salivation or dry mouth
Sweating
Anxiety
Infections caused by decreased immunity
Nausea
Shaking
Weakness
Sleepiness and fatigue
Weight gain

Some serious and rare side effects include:

Allergic reaction associated with symptoms like redness of skin, itching, burning sensation, blisters, blue-purple patches, tightness of chest, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, hoarseness etc.
Angle-closure glaucoma causes symptoms like eye pain, vision changes, or swelling or redness in your eyes.
It could cause low sodium levels which can result in psychological symptoms like confusion, agitation, inability to understand surroundings, memory loss etc.
It can cause elongation of QT interval, causing increased heartbeat or arrhythmia
Teeth grinding
Convulsions

Conclusion

In this blog, we have talked about the possibility of lexapro causing euphoria. Lexapro is an antidepressant and it produces a number of different kinds of side effects.

It may cause euphoria but this side effect is pretty rare and depends on the unique psychological composition of every other individual. Some people have reported feeling unusually giddy and happy just after the administration of their first ever dose.

However, researchers suggest that lexapro does not possess too many addictive properties as compared to many other medications. The dependence on lexapro also varies from person to person.

Researchers indicate that people may take an increased dose or take it more frequently in order to stabilise their mood and make their depression or anxiety symptoms go away.

Although the state of euphoria is associated with happiness and excitement, this too much happiness, without a logical reason, is a matter of concern and clearly indicates that this feeling is not normal and is caused by some changes in the brain.

FAQs: Does Lexapro cause euphoria

Do antidepressants cause euphoria?

Antidepressants are not that addictive as compared to other medications, and this addiction is the biggest reason behind euphoria. However, it is hard to predict how people will respond to antidepressants and the increased amounts of excitatory neurotransmitters associated with their use. They may produce euphoria in some people.

Can Lexapro make U hyper?

Lexapro can make you hyper and induce mania and erratic behaviour. However, this side effect is rare and there’s no way to predict or prevent it. The mental health condition and psychological composition can alter the effects of lexapro and pretty much every other antidepressant.

Does Lexapro make you feel happy?

When lexapro starts working in your system, it causes happy and relaxed feelings by increasing the amount of active serotonin in your body, which is responsible for modulating mood, cognition, reward, learning, memory, and various other psychological processes.

Is Lexapro addictive like Xanax?

Lexapro is not as addictive as xanax. Xanax is a brand name for alprazolam, which is a benzodiazepine. It can alter your brain chemistry and can mimic inhibitory neurotransmitters which can result in calmness and sedation. Xanax is highly misused as a sleeping pill, which provides escape from reality. Lexapro, on the other hand, is an antidepressant. It increases the amount of serotonin in the body. It can cause addiction or dependence, but xanax still scores more.

Is Lexapro similar to Ativan?

No, Lexapro is not similar to ativan. Lexapro (escitalopram) is an antidepressant. It is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and is used to treat mild to severe episodes of depression and generalised anxiety disorder.

Lexapro inhibits the reuptake of serotonin by blocking serotonin transporters (SERT). This results in increased serotonergic activity.

Ativan (Lorazepam), on the other hand, is a benzodiazepine. It is used to help control anxiety, convulsions and panic attacks. This medication basically mimics inhibitory chemicals in your brain, like GABA, to control the excessive neuronal activity.

Is Lexapro a strong drug?

Lexapro, escitalopram, is a potent inhibitor of serotonin transporters and can actively increase the amount of active serotonin in the body. It is considered a powerful drug and more efficient in the treatment of mild to severe episodes of depression and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD).

References

Lexapro Addiction: Side Effects, Detox, Withdrawal, and Treatment https://novarecoverycenter.com/drugs/lexapro/#h-how-common-is-lexapro-addiction-and-abuse
Lexapro Abuse: Indications of Use and Effects of Addiction https://addictionresource.com/drugs/lexapro/
Commonly Abused Prescription and OTC Drugs https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/ss/slideshow-commonly-abused-drugs#:~:text=Codeine%20and%20Morphine&text=Some%20of%20the%20most%20commonly,for%20milder%20pain%20or%20coughing.
Escitalopram (Oral Route) https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/escitalopram-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20063707
Lexapro – Uses, Side Effects, and More https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-63990/lexapro-oral/details

Does Lexapro cause euphoria? (An Overview)