Antidepressants and Addiction?

A deep dive into RFK Jr’s newest claims

What happened: Experts weigh in on RFK Jr’s claims that anti-depressants are “addictive.”

Are they? Experts say no and that there’s a difference between being addicted to drugs and being dependent on medications that treat patients. Addictive drugs like heroin, cocaine, and opioids cause dopamine levels in the brain to spike and trick the brain into thinking that being high is more important than anything else.

This isn’t the case for anti-depressants. Instead of releasing dopamine, SSRIs work by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain. Illegal drugs often cause reward-seeking behavior and can sometimes negatively impact a person’s work, home, and social life. One doctor said anti-depressants help people feel more stable and work more as a therapeutic method. 

But: RFK Jr’s claims weren’t totally untrue. Some people do have a hard time coming off anti-depressants, but not because they’re addicted to them. The body adjusts to the chemical, and when it’s taken away, they might go through a withdrawal. The brain needs time to readjust, sometimes leading to dizziness, headaches, nausea, and irritability.

A study found that about 15% - 33% of people who quit anti-depressant medications experience withdrawal symptoms. While there have been people who’ve taken their lives because the symptoms are so severe, people cannot die from anti-depressant withdrawal. There are ways for people to quit anti-depressants safely.

Bottom line: Experts aren’t arguing that quitting anti-depressants is always a smooth experience, but RFK Jr. should be careful when comparing illegal drug withdrawal to medications that impact people’s lives and well-being.

Hot Off The Press

1: ☎️ Video calls are about to get an upgrade. Google’s Project Starline, set to roll out in 2025, uses AI, multiple cameras, and light-field displays to create 3D video chats — no clunky headsets required. Designed to make remote conversations feel more natural, this could be a game-changer for everything from business meetings to patient care. No word yet on how it handles bad Wi-Fi.

2: 🔬 In a surprising move, the CDC has ordered its scientists to cease co-authoring papers with the WHO, potentially impacting global health research. This decision comes as the WHO releases updated influenza vaccine guidelines, emphasizing the need for international collaboration to combat seasonal flu. The timing raises big questions about global health collaboration.​

3: ♹ Ready for some good news, bad news? Microplastics have made their way into human arteries, with a NEJM study linking their presence in carotid plaques to a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and death. Good news? Other research suggests that anthocyanins — the antioxidants giving fruits and flowers their colour — may help counteract microplastic-related reproductive harm, improving hormone balance and protecting tissues. It’s not a solution, but it’s a start!

4: 💊 A Swedish study of 18,740 dementia patients suggests antidepressants — especially SSRIs — may accelerate cognitive decline. Patients on higher SSRI doses also faced increased risks of severe dementia, fractures, and death. Previous research on antidepressants and cognition in dementia has been mixed, but this study emphasizes the need for caution and monitoring when prescribing these meds.

5: 🕯️ Recent studies have shown that using scented products like burning candles can produce air pollution levels comparable to car exhaust. You might want to think twice the next time you’re trying to set the mood.

Notable Numbers 🔢

57% to 73%: the reduced risk of long COVID symptoms in vaccinated children, according to a new CDC study. Researchers found that mRNA COVID-19 vaccination lowered the likelihood of post-COVID conditions (PCC) by 57% for at least one symptom and 73% for 2 or more symptoms in children aged 5 to 17 — reinforcing the importance of staying up to date with COVID-19 shots since pediatric vaccination rates remain low.

194 million: how many followers may have seen misleading medical test promotions on social media. A new study found that 87.1% of posts about popular medical tests hyped benefits, while only 14.7% mentioned harms—and just 6.1% addressed overdiagnosis. With most posts tied to financial interests, researchers warn this trend is driving unnecessary testing and overdiagnosis.

22: the number of years between Adrien Brody's Best Actor awards — first for his performance in The Pianist, and again last night for The Brutalist.

Postcall Picks

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📺 Watch: the 2025 Oscar highlights, including a wickedly talented performance by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande!

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