Around the same time, it was found that a tuberculosis drug also affected patients’ moods. Treated individuals regained their appetites, felt happier and less apathetic and even, sometimes, experienced euphoria. Of course, if you had a horrible illness and suddenly started feeling better, it wouldn’t be surprising if your mood improved too. But other side effects like drowsiness and a dry mouth suggested the drug might be having an impact on the nervous system. So the drug was tested in psychiatric patients, and soon evidence started to emerge that iproniazid (as it was called) might be
...more
