Trying Wellbutrin for happiness?
I’m asking this based on Episode #69 of the podcast Live Long and Thrive by Dr. Bobby Dubois. The title is “Physiology Often Beats Insight”.
Here’s a quote that describes the episode: In this episode, I explore a difficult but important idea: when it comes to depression, anxiety, fear, and emotional suffering, changing physiology often works better than understanding the story behind the pain.
I begin with a simple question: why do we assume insight should heal us? As human beings, we naturally look for patterns and explanations, but explanation is not the same as relief. I share two personal examples—my years of dysthymia that lifted quickly with Wellbutrin, and my exercise-related fears that insight alone never resolved—to show how biology can sometimes succeed where understanding falls short.”
Basically, he had tried therapy, meditation, and many other things to relieve his dysthymia, with no results, but Wellbutrin relieved it and brought him happiness. He’s been on it for 20 years. This had made me consider trying it. I have been extremely skeptical about SSRI drugs and other psychoactive drugs, believing they don’t really work.
I have tried Prozac and Lexapro in the past with no results.
I really respect Dr. Bobby. He’s a real evidence-based doctor, not some influencer or grifter.
Has anyone else ever used Wellbutrin?
If I decide to try it, I’ll set a time limit (maybe one month) and if I see no results, quit (or taper off).