Repeated clinical trials have demonstrated that patients with acrophobia (fear of heights) who receive exposure therapy, and who also took D-cycloserine, learn to override their fears more quickly than those who took a placebo.
How D-Cycloserine Works
D-cycloserine is thought to affect certain receptors, namely NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors, in the amygdala portion of the brain (a part of your brain that is associated with fear). It does not directly treat the phobia. Instead, the drug appears to stimulate the area of the brain that is responsible for unlearning fear responses. In other words, it works to “speed up” or increase the response to exposure therapy. This, in turn, may minimize the frustration often felt during early treatment and thereby prevent a person from stopping therapy prematurely. Although research is still underway, clinical trials have found few side effects when using D-cycloserine in the treatment of anxiety disorders. D-cycloserine has also been studied for its effectiveness in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, OCD, PTSD, and other anxiety disorders. If you think D-Cycloserine could work for you, talk to your healthcare provider. Together you can weigh the risks and benefits of using this medication, alongside exposure therapy, in the treatment of your specific phobia.
