Bupropion — A Dopamine/Norepinephrine Antidepressant
An “activating” antidepressant that can lift energy and motivation rather than just smoothing mood.
Bupropion (Wellbutrin and others) is an antidepressant that inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine, increasing their availability in certain brain circuits. Unlike SSRIs, which mainly target serotonin, bupropion tends to be more “activating”: it’s often chosen when low energy, anhedonia and poor concentration are prominent.
Clinically, it can improve drive, focus and willingness to initiate tasks, and is also used in smoking cessation for its effects on reward circuits. It is generally less likely than many antidepressants to cause weight gain or sexual side effects, though it can increase anxiety or insomnia in some people and slightly lowers seizure threshold at higher doses.
As with all psychiatric meds, it’s not a personality upgrade or a standalone fix — it’s a biochemical nudge that can make therapy, habits and environmental changes easier to actually implement when the system is running on empty.
Why It Matters
Knowing how bupropion differs from classic SSRIs helps people and clinicians match medication choice to symptom profile — especially when “I can’t get going” is a bigger problem than mood swings alone.
Closing Line
Bupropion doesn’t create motivation from nowhere, but it can give your brain enough catecholamine grip to start climbing again.