How do antidepressants generally affect neurotransmitter levels?

Antidepressants primarily work by increasing the availability of neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft, which enhances neurotransmission and can improve mood and emotional regulation. This is particularly true for serotonin and norepinephrine, which are two key neurotransmitters associated with mood disorders.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), for example, block the reuptake of serotonin into the presynaptic neuron, leading to elevated serotonin levels in the synaptic cleft. Similarly, other classes of antidepressants, such as serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), act to enhance the levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine.

By increasing the availability of these neurotransmitters, antidepressants help restore balance in the brain's chemical systems that can be disrupted in conditions like depression and anxiety, thus alleviating symptoms effectively.