ACX
Lavender's Game: Silexan For Anxiety
Scott Alexander evaluates silexan, a lavender-based anxiety supplement, finding promising but potentially biased evidence, and recommends cautious trial use.
16 min read 2,400 words
A thread through the archive
SSRIs
Essays tagged “SSRIs”. Follow an idea across the archive.
Essays on SSRIs
11 essaysACX
The FDA Has Punted Decisions About Luvox Prescription To The Deepest Recesses Of The Human Soul
Scott Alexander argues that doctors should prescribe fluvoxamine for COVID-19 despite FDA inaction, urging them to overcome discomfort with off-label use when evidence supports it.
20 min read 3,031 words
ACX
Oh, The Places You'll Go When Trying To Figure Out The Right Dose Of Escitalopram
Scott Alexander investigates the optimal dosage of Lexapro, comparing it to other antidepressants and exploring the reasons behind its effectiveness at lower doses.
16 min read 2,337 words
SSC
What Intellectual Progress Did I Make In The 2010s?
Scott Alexander reviews his intellectual progress in the 2010s across various fields, crediting his blog for accelerating learning.
32 min read 4,854 words
SSC
Survey Results On SSRIs
Scott Alexander presents results from an SSC Survey on SSRI usage, covering effectiveness, side effects, and discontinuation experiences among 2,090 users.
11 min read 1,596 words
SSC
SSRIs: An Update
Scott Alexander revisits his stance on SSRIs, discussing new meta-analyses, broader trends in psychiatric medication efficacy, and potential explanations for the discrepancy between statistical and clinical observations.
11 min read 1,642 words
SSC
What To Make Of New Positive NSI-189 Results?
Scott Alexander examines the rise, fall, and alleged resurrection of the antidepressant NSI-189, expressing skepticism about its efficacy and the broader challenges in developing new antidepressants.
14 min read 2,043 words
SSC
Nefarious Nefazodone And Flashy Rare Side Effects
Scott examines how rare but severe drug side effects often lead to underprescription compared to drugs with common but less severe side effects, potentially resulting in suboptimal patient care.
16 min read 2,478 words
SSC
Polemical Imbalance
Scott Alexander defends his stance on the 'chemical imbalance' theory of depression, arguing that Mad In America's critique actually supports his view of a more nuanced understanding in psychiatry.
26 min read 3,936 words
SSC
SSRIs: Much More Than You Wanted To Know
Scott analyzes various criticisms of antidepressants, concluding they have modest but real benefits over placebo, with important considerations about side effects and efficacy.
56 min read 8,645 words
SSC
What Universal Human Experiences Are You Missing Without Realizing It?
Scott Alexander explores the idea that people might be missing universal human experiences without realizing it, using examples from various senses and personal anecdotes.
9 min read 1,343 words