Understanding & Conquering Depression

This episode, I explain what major depression is at the biological and psychological level and the various treatments that peer-reviewed studies have revealed can help prevent and treat depression. I explain the three major chemical systems that are altered in depression: norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine. I discuss genetic predispositions to depression and how stress, thyroid hormone and cortisol play a role in many forms of depression. I also discuss inflammation as a common feature of many depression symptoms. I review 8 specific science-supported protocols for treating and avoiding depression, including EPA fatty acids (which have been shown to rival certain prescription treatments), how exercise protects against depression, studies of creatine, adjusting dopamine balance and more. I also discuss the results of ongoing clinical trials for ketamine and psilocybin for depression, how these compounds work and finally, I review how ketogenic diets can help in certain cases of depression, especially treatment-resistant major depression.

Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com.

Thank you to our sponsors

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Timestamps

00:00:00 Mood Disorders & Maintaining Mental Health (Protocol 1)

00:07:25 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up

00:11:15 Major Depression

00:18:40 “Anti-Self” Confabulation

00:21:42 Autonomic (Vegetative) Symptoms of Depression

00:26:58 Norepinephrine, Dopamine & Serotonin

00:31:50 SSRIs (Prozac, Zoloft, etc.): Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

00:37:00 Epinephrine/Motor Functions, Dopamine/Motivation & Craving, Serotonin/Emotions

00:39:33 Physical & Emotional Pain are Linked: Substance P

00:41:50 Hormones & Depression: Thyroid & Cortisol

00:46:50 Genetic Susceptibility to Depression: Impact of Stress

00:50:50 Understanding Biological Mechanism Is Key: Recipes versus Skills

00:52:50 Tools for Dealing with Depression: Logic & Implementation (Protocol 2)

00:56:25 Brain Inflammation & Mental State: Cytokines, Prostaglandins, etc.

00:59:20 Protocol 3: Essential Fatty Acids (Omega-3, EPAs: Eicosapentaenoic Acid)*

01:02:50 How EPAs Help Offset Depression: Serotonin Synthesis, Kynurenine, Quinolinic Acid

01:05:25 Protocol 4: How Exercise Offsets Depression

01:11:44 Protocol 5: Creatine Monohydrate, Forebrain Function & NMDA Receptors*