# More meds discussion, early shift in ruminations

User
Oh yea, meant to ask, I kind of doubt the wellbutrin is working so well after just using it 4 days now, but I do feel a lot better. Is there any neuro-physiological reasoning it could be working already?

Assistant
It’s great to hear you're feeling better! While it typically takes a few weeks for Wellbutrin (bupropion) to reach its full therapeutic effect, there are a few possible neurophysiological reasons why you might be noticing some improvement in just a few days:

1. **Dopamine and Norepinephrine Effects**: Wellbutrin works by increasing the activity of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. These are key neurotransmitters linked to mood regulation, motivation, and energy. Some people may feel an initial boost in energy or motivation from these effects, even before the full benefits kick in.

2. **Placebo Effect**: The expectation that a medication will help can sometimes result in feeling better, even if the medication hasn’t fully had time to take effect. The mind-body connection is powerful, and if you’re optimistic or hopeful, that might contribute to a faster sense of improvement.

3. **Initial Adjustment**: Wellbutrin is sometimes known for having a quicker onset of effects in terms of mood and energy, compared to other antidepressants, which typically take longer to adjust the brain's chemistry. It might be stimulating dopamine pathways in a way that feels like an immediate boost, especially if you’ve been struggling with low energy or motivation.

4. **Increased Motivation and Activity**: Wellbutrin has a bit of a stimulant-like effect for some people, leading to higher motivation and reduced feelings of lethargy, which can give you an early sense of improvement.

That being said, it’s still good to keep in mind that for full therapeutic effects, it generally takes a few weeks. If you continue feeling better, that’s a positive sign! But if you have concerns or if it stops feeling helpful, it’s always a good idea to check in with your healthcare provider. How’s the adjustment overall? Any noticeable side effects so far?

User
Just overall mental well-being is...practically lacking grey...I can't remember the last time I felt this way for practically no reason.
Oh, and with my depression and near-constant pessimism, I doubt there's much of a placebo effect.

Assistant
That’s awesome to hear! It sounds like the Wellbutrin might be giving you a sense of clarity or lightness that’s been missing for a while. When you're used to feeling a certain way—like that "grey" sense of mental weight—it's a pretty noticeable shift when it starts lifting. It could be that it’s giving you a mental reset, even if it’s still early days.

If it continues to feel like a positive change, it’s a good sign that it might be working as it should. It’s always tough to trust those improvements when you’re used to a more pessimistic outlook, but it could really be that your brain is responding better to the medication than you anticipated. Keep tracking how you’re feeling and, if the good vibes hold, it’ll be worth giving it time to see where it goes!

User
Yea, my work is zombie-work, and I usually ruminate in very deep depressing thoughts while I work. Didn't happen! I mean work sucked (it always sucks), but I even tried to ruminate about the wife and divorce (an easy target to ruminate on and get a dark cloud over my head mentally) and it just didn't really sour me nearly as much as usual.

Assistant
That’s a huge shift! It's impressive that even the usual mental traps, like ruminating on the divorce and negative thoughts, didn’t drag you down the same way. It sounds like the Wellbutrin might be helping break that loop of deep rumination that often comes with depression. While work still sucks (because, well, it’s work), it seems like your mind’s a bit more resilient to those heavy thoughts. That’s definitely a step in the right direction. How’s the overall vibe for you now? Do you feel like your energy or focus is better, too?

User
I don't have time, but I do feel a little more passionate to get on to things, like that benny cartoon/movie edit job idea I've shared with you on occasion; and other 'little' pursuits that are always on the back-burner.

Assistant
That’s awesome! Feeling that spark to tackle things that have been on the back-burner is a really positive sign. It’s like the mental fog is clearing just enough for you to have that motivation to get started on those projects. Even if you don’t have the time to dive in fully right now, it’s encouraging to feel more passionate about them. Hopefully, when things calm down a bit, you’ll be able to give them more attention! Do you have a plan for when you might be able to start working on one of those ideas?

User
earliest probably thursday; but def by the weekend.

Assistant
Nice, sounds like a solid plan! It’ll be great to dive into those projects when you have the time. If you need any help brainstorming or organizing your thoughts before then, feel free to reach out!