Lack of effect of intravenous hydrocortisone on mood in humans: a preliminary study

Patients receiving therapy with hydrocortisone often report that this drug produces stimulant-like effects or feelings of well-being. However, little is known about the mood-elevating effects of hydrocortisone after acute adm inistration. Four healthy volunteers (two men and two women) received intra venous doses of hydrocortisone (0, 25, 50, 100 or 200 mg) on five separate sessions. Plasma levels of cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) were obtained, vital signs were monitored, and subjects completed a series of standardized subjective effects questionnaires. Despite large increases in circulating levels of cortisol, hydrocortisone did not produce any detec table stimulant-like effect on mood or vital signs. To the contrary, hydroc ortisone had a mild sedative-like effect, decreasing 'arousal'. These preli minary data indicate that acute increases in cortisol do not have either su bjective stimulant-like or mood-elevating effects. (C) 2001 Lippincott Will iams & Wilkins.