what effect would anti-depressents have on someone who is not depressed?

Answer 1

Anti-depressants are prescribed for people who are not depressed for a myriad of reasons which I won't go into. You want to know about the effects that this class of drugs would have. It wouldn't make people any happier, as previously stated, or we would put it in the drinking water,(pending FDA approval, of course). The effects in the average non-depressed person are, - 1 - better sleep, (almost immediately) 2 - Constipation 3 - Blurred vision 4 - altered libido - may be for better or worse. But the most important consideration, ( other than allergy or idiosyncratic reaction) is that the person who was not depressed when you put them on antidepressants, may become depressed when they are withdrawn.

Answer 2

People who are not depressed will not be any "happier" by taking antidepressants.

Certain antidepressants are used for various conditions other than depression, and they also work in people who are not depressed. This includes help to quit cigarette smoking, treatment of diabetic neuropathic pain, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorder, attention deficit disorder, bipolar disorder.
And of course anybody, whether depressed or not, can get side effects...

Answer 3

Many of them act by decreasing pain. The medication allows for completed neuropathways, and that then decreases pain.