Quote Originally Posted by olivia0703 View Post
Is it true that gabapentinoids inhibit synaptogenisis? How can this be a good thing? Wouldn't they negate the beneficial effects of a SSRI if taken in conjunction?
Yes, the gabapentinoids may inhibit synaptogenisis, but they tend to inhibit excitatory synapse growth more which may be beneficial. Their other main benefit is that, unlike the benzodiazepines which kill hippocampal brain cells, gabapentinoids increase the survival rate of new hippocampal cells in neurogenesis and may speed up their maturation a little.

While I'm not convinced they are good long-term anxiety treatments, they can make life a little easier in the short-term when taken to ease the heightened anxiety commonly experienced when starting ADs, for example. Synaptogenisis is also not a problem if gabapentinoids are the only meds being taken as they don't effect synapses of mature cells. It is only an issue during the growth phase.