Pharmacology while you sleep: Antidepressants explores how antidepressant medications interact with brain chemistry during sleep, with a focus on sleep pharmacology, neurotransmitters, and sleep architecture. This episode examines antidepressants through the lens of sleep medicine—how these drugs influence REM sleep, slow-wave sleep, circadian rhythm, and nighttime neurophysiology.
In this video, you’ll learn how major antidepressant classes are classified pharmacologically and how their mechanisms of action intersect with sleep processes. The discussion covers selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and atypical antidepressants, with attention to their effects on serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, histamine, and acetylcholine signaling. Rather than focusing on clinical advice, the video explains how these neurotransmitter systems shape sleep stages, REM suppression, sleep continuity, and circadian regulation from a pharmacology perspective.
Key topics include:
• How antidepressants alter REM sleep and REM latency through monoaminergic modulation
• Sedating versus activating pharmacologic profiles and their relevance to nighttime brain activity
• Anticholinergic, antihistaminergic, and adrenergic effects on sleep architecture
This video is part of a broader series examining how medications affect sleep and the brain, using clear, consistent pharmacologic language designed for calm, passive listening.
This channel presents long-form, educational sleep pharmacology content focused on how drugs interact with the brain during sleep.
The content in this video is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. It shares general facts about medicines, pharmacology, and health topics, but it is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Nothing in this video should be taken as:
• Medical, pharmaceutical, or clinical advice
• Personal health recommendations
• Mental-health or therapeutic guidance
• Legal, financial, or regulatory advice
• Individualized professional consultation
Everyone’s health situation is unique. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional, pharmacist, or physician before making decisions about medications or health conditions.
We strive to ensure all information presented is accurate and based on reputable sources, but medicine and science evolve over time. If you notice any errors or have reputable source corrections, please let us know in the comments or via email so we can review and update the content.
No guarantees of outcomes or results are made or implied.
By watching this video, you agree that The Sleepy Pharmacist is not liable for any losses, damages, or decisions made based on this content.
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00:00 Introduction to sleep pharmacology and antidepressants
04:28 Antidepressants in sleep medicine and brain chemistry
09:12 Neurotransmitters involved in sleep regulation
15:06 SSRIs and sleep architecture
24:04 SNRIs and sleep-wake neurotransmission
32:46 Tricyclic antidepressants and sedative effects
41:34 Monoamine oxidase inhibitors and sleep physiology
49:08 Atypical antidepressants and mixed pharmacologic mechanisms
58:00 REM sleep changes associated with antidepressants
1:05:46 Circadian rhythm effects of antidepressant medications
1:10:22 Summary of antidepressants in sleep pharmacology
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