Anxiety molecule: A simple cure for mood disorders

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• July 5, 2022

Insight summary

The potential of neurotrophin-3 as a novel anxiety treatment offers a glimpse into the future of mental health care, possibly steering away from traditional medications, which may come with undesirable side effects. Initial explorations indicate that higher levels of neurotrophin-3 could be associated with reduced anxiety, a revelation that could change the prescription landscape significantly. The unfolding scenario hints at broader shifts in mental wellness approaches, pharmaceutical industry operations, and regulatory frameworks.

Anxiety molecule context

Neurotrophin-3 is a molecule scientists believe can impact how people experience symptoms of anxiety. High levels of the neurotrophin-3 molecule being present in a subject can lower anxiety levels, as revealed in initial testing on rhesus macaques monkeys. However, the brain’s chemistry is highly complex, and scientists must consider many factors before using neurotrophin-3 as a potential cure for anxiety. 

Researchers at the University of California used ribonucleic acid sequencing to locate neurotrophin-3 within the brain. Neurotrophin-3 is primarily responsible for causing neurons to grow and form new synapses. However, the scientists also noticed a correlation between the rhesus macaques monkey’s levels of neurotrophin-3 and their observed anxiety levels. As a result, the research team believed the molecule could be an alternative treatment to conventional therapies and drugs currently used for depression and anxiety. Current medications are only partly effective at reducing the symptoms of stress and anxiety-related mental disorders and may be entirely ineffective for many patients. 

The study aimed to understand dispositional anxiety, which is the inclination to perceive several situations as dangerous. With increased concentrations of neurotrophin-3, the monkeys showed lower levels of anxiety and inhibitory behaviors commonly associated with the disorder. Other experts believe that several other molecules within the brain could have a similar effect in reducing anxiety in humans, making research essential to finding a cure for such disorders. 

Disruptive impact

The exploration of neurotrophin-3 as a treatment for anxiety presents a shift in the approach to mental health solutions. Traditional medications like benzodiazepines and barbiturates, while effective for some, often come with side effects that may, in certain cases, worsen the symptoms they aim to address. The potential introduction of neurotrophin-3 into the medical regimen for anxiety could significantly change the prescription landscape. 

The journey of neurotrophin-3 from a potential treatment to a prescribed solution is likely to be a lengthy one, owing to the requisite rigorous testing and approvals, ensuring its long-term safety and efficacy. The involvement of regulatory bodies like the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in classifying neurotrophin-3 as a prescription-based drug also suggests a cautious approach towards its introduction to prevent misuse. As the understanding of neurotrophin-3's long-term impacts matures over time, it may pave the way for other complementary treatments for anxiety and stress, promoting a more holistic and integrated approach to mental health care. Moreover, the anticipation of neurotrophin-3's arrival could foster increased research and development in neurotrophic molecules, further expanding the horizons of mental health pharmacology.

As neurotrophin-3 might claim a significant market share within the future subscription drug sector, it indicates a potential market shift. The ripple effect of this shift could extend to various stakeholders—patients might have access to more effective and lesser side-effect inducing medications, healthcare providers may need to adapt to the evolving prescription trends, and pharmaceutical companies may need to realign their operating models. For governments and policy makers, the emergence of neurotrophin-3 underscores the importance of fostering a regulatory environment that is both conducive to medical advancements while ensuring public safety and well-being. 

Implications of the neurotrophin-based treatments for anxiety

Wider implications of anxiety treatments that use neurotrophin becoming available may include: 

• General improvement in mental wellness for persons suffering from anxiety, leading to improved productivity in their places of work. 


• Reduced rates of suicide and self-harm among the public.


• Fewer prescriptions and lower sales of other anxiolytic drugs, potentially reducing manufacturing demands on pharmaceutical companies and leading to workforce changes. 


• Potential use cases (or abuses) as a performance enhancement drug among healthy individuals involved in high-stress jobs or athletic competitions.


• Lawmakers in different jurisdictions passing laws regulating the use of neurotrophin-based treatments. 


• Increased number of biotech startups aiming to develop naturally occuring brain molecules into mental health treatments.

Questions to consider

• Do you think neurotrophin-3 should be a controlled substance? 


• Should athletes and individuals without mental health concerns be allowed to use neurotrophin-3 as a nootropic or performance enhancement drug?